What to Eat During Cancer Treatments

Nutrition and eating healthy is an important part of maintaining your strength while undergoing breast cancer treatment. It is important to continue to eat well in order to get the nutrients your body needs to stay strong. During your treatment, your diet or appetite might change. There is no exact way to predict how you will respond to your treatments.

Women who have gone through breast cancer treatment have the following suggestions:

• Take multivitamins, especially if you are struggling with appetite. Before you start one, check with your doctor.
• Keep foods handy that are individually packaged and quick
• Choose nutrient-dense rather than calorie-dense
• Buy in bulk so that you don’t have to go to the store when you don’t feel good
• Talk to a registered dietitian for food advice

If you are suffering from side effects such as nausea and vomiting, consider the following when looking for food options or advice:

• If you are nauseous, try rinsing your mouth before and after meals
• After eating, sit up or lie back with your head raised for at least one hour
• Eat cool foods like non-fat yogurt, fruit juice, or sherbert
• Don’t eat foods that are very sweet, greasy or fried
• Flat ginger ale or ginger chews may settle your stomach

If you are immune-compromised or your doctor tells you that your immune system is weak, certain foods to avoid include:

• Raw vegetables or fruits
• Raw eggs
• Unpasteurized fruit juice
• Tofu in water

Seem overwhelming? Touro can help you to learn and prepare for your diet during cancer treatments. The Touro Supportive Cancer Center has a Clinical Dietician on staff to help assist the patient through good nutrition and advice. To learn more about her and her services, click here.

Sources: Breast Cancer Organization