One of many possible side effects of cancer treatment is difficulty eating. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can both cause nausea and other issues that make it difficult if not impossible to eat normal foods. Some people also find that foods taste different or less appealing during and after cancer treatments.
But getting enough nutrition is critical to helping your body heal. Try these tips and cancer diet suggestions to help make sure you get enough to eat.
• Eat more often – Smaller portions may be easier to eat and digest. Eat 5 or 6 small meals instead of 3 large ones.
• New foods – If your old foods are not appealing, try new or different foods to help you stay interested in eating.
• Distractions – If eating is difficult, it might help take your mind off the food to eat with friends or family, or to watch television while you eat.
• Food choices - Choose healthful foods that provide a good variety of nutrients. If you are having a hard time eating, higher calorie foods may help provide the energy you need while letting you eat smaller portions. If chewing or swallowing is difficult, soft foods such as cream soups and milkshakes may go down better.
• Liquids – It is important to drink plenty of liquids, but it is also important not to fill up on liquids just before or during a meal.
• Exercise – Moving around and being active can help stimulate your appetite to help you eat.
If it is hard to eat because you are sick to your stomach, be sure to take your anti-nausea medicine. If it isn’t working, talk to your health care provider. You might need a different medication or might need to take it at a different time of day.
Try these tips to help settle your stomach:
• Food choices – Try to choose foods that are easier on your stomach, such as clear liquids including soup broth, plain chicken without the skin, crackers, gelatin, popsicles, canned fruit, noodles, pretzels, or white rice.
• Liquids – It is important to stay hydrated, especially if you have vomited. Clear soda such as ginger ale that has gone flat or cranberry or grape juice may help your stomach. Pedialyte ® is a special liquid designed to help rehydrate your body. Tea and water are also good choices.
• Greasy or spicy – Foods that are fried, greasy, or spicy may be more likely to make your stomach sick. Keep track of what you can’t eat to help with your future food selections.
• Temperature – Think about whether the temperature of the food makes your stomach feel sick. You may find either cold or warm foods are easier to eat.
Some people find that the smell of food cooking upsets their stomachs so they can’t eat what they have prepared. If this happens to you, ask someone else to prepare your meals, and let the food cool before you eat it to reduce food odors.
Cancer treatments may also affect your digestive system by causing either diarrhea or constipation. Talk to your healthcare provider about any eating difficulties you may be having for more suggestions for your cancer diet.
Sources:
Medline Plus. Diet – cancer treatment. Web. October 28, 2011.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002439.htm
National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During and After Cancer Treatment. Web. October 28, 2011.
http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/eatinghints
National Cancer Institute. Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care. Web. October 28, 2011.
http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/nutrition/Patient
National Cancer Institute. Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects. Web. October 28, 2011.
http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/radiation-side-effects/nausea
Reviewed November 3, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith