How to Nourish Your Body During Cancer Treatment
Sam* leaned his head back against the recliner, closed his eyes, and whispered, “I just can’t eat anything.”
We were sitting in the chemotherapy infusion room together. He had completed his first cycle of chemotherapy a couple of weeks ago and was here for his second. Two more cycles were planned after that. Then maybe a couple more, depending.
Sam was determined to support his body as well as he could through treatment. At first, he thought that meant eating the all the foods straight out of the “cancer-fighting” playbook and avoiding other foods like the plague.
But chemotherapy left his stomach churning, his mouth and throat on fire, and his appetite a hollow shell. His plans for beautifully prepared green smoothies and bowls of roasted cauliflower with ancient grains and pumpkin seeds were squashed. Instead, he barely choked down runny cream of wheat and canned chicken noodle soup on his worst days, and mashed potatoes with shredded chicken and gravy on his better days.
Long gone were the days of kale smoothies, chia seed puddings, and miso-glazed chicken with quinoa pilaf. Meals were now a chore. Food had lost its appeal. And it hurt to eat.
Time to talk
Sam’s story is not unique. Food, and how he chose to nourish his body, was the one piece of his cancer journey he felt he could control. He ached for perfection in just that one aspect of the chaos his life had become.
But he realized early in treatment he really couldn’t control food either.
Sam and I had a long discussion that day about the role food and nourishment play in supporting his body and mind during treatment. We discussed how allowing all foods during cancer treatment helps him make choices that support how he feels at any given time.
Is he nauseated that day? Choose foods that are easy to digest and mild. The ultimate goal is to keep his body strong.
Instead of trying to eat perfectly, try to eat enough
When you start treatment already restricting your food choices, it can be pretty tough to find something to eat when the going gets tough. Your body needs your support now, more than ever! Cutting out certain food groups limits your choices even more.
My suggestions are to:
Eat on a schedule, whether you feel like it or not - I’m a huge believer in the principles of Intuitive Eating, but your inner body signals may be completely out of whack during treatment. If you wait for your hunger cues to tell you it’s time to eat, you may not eat for days. Weeks. If you stopped eating when you felt full, you may not eat enough.
Schedule mini-meals 5-6 times daily – set a timer, stick with the schedule. Remember that some of those mini-meals can be liquids and shakes!
Include some type of carbohydrate, protein, and fat in every (mini) meal – this will help provide enough energy, variety, and various building blocks to keep the body strong.
Instead of limiting your drink options, try to drink enough
Ideally, water would taste great during treatment. Many times, it doesn’t. Find ways to stay hydrated. Remember that other drinks count toward your daily fluid goals, too.
Some suggestions are:
Flavor your water – add some juice or electrolyte replacement drinks to your water, try fruit and/or herb-infused water, or buy flavored liquid drops or powders.
Drink broth or stock – buy your favorite broth or make some at home! Most people do well with mild flavored vegetable broth or chicken broth.
Use other fluids to stay hydrated – In addition to water or broth, use other liquids to count as part of your fluids. Beverages like milk or plant-based drinks (almond, rice, soymilk, etc.) provide anywhere from 80-95% water. Even milkshakes contain hydrating fluids!
Use high calorie/high protein shakes to do triple duty – shakes, whether homemade or pre-packaged, can provide extra calories, protein, and fluid! In many cases, it can be easier to drink your meals rather than eat them.
Nourishing your body is part of cancer treatment. I encourage you to honor where you are and how your body feels at this time. Choose foods and fluids that support this present moment. Remember, there is life-sustaining energy in all food.
Check out my education videos, recipes, and handouts to help you navigate eating and drinking during treatment.
*Sam is not the real name of this patient. Instead, Sam represents all people struggling to eating during cancer treatment. Sam may be you right now.
Hi, I’m Amber!
I am a registered dietitian and cancer nutrition specialist. I’m so glad you’re here!