You may find it helpful to keep trying different foods to find what appeals to you. If you have trouble opening and closing your mouth to chew foods, talk to your healthcare team. You may need to meet with your physical therapist for exercises to help you.

If you regularly cough or bring food back up after eating, be sure to tell your healthcare team. You may need to meet with a speech-language pathologist to assess how well you swallow. Caregivers and patients share how the side effects of cancer treatment can change the taste of food.

It is important to prevent weight loss during cancer treatment. To prevent weight loss and add calories to your diet:. Some patients experience weight gain during or after cancer treatment. It can be related to many factors. Managing weight gain is all about choosing a healthier lifestyle by eating healthy foods and exercising within your ability.

Addresses how cancer patients can cope with common eating problems faced during treatment, like nausea or mouth sores. Also features recipes to help with common problems.

We can mail our Frankly Speaking About Cancer pieces to you. Shipping is free for up to 20 pounds. Skip to main content. Are you here for yourself or a loved one? Myself A loved one. Table of Contents. Eating healthy can: Help with side effects like nausea, diarrhea, or taste changes. Help maintain body weight and muscle mass.

Help give you more energy. Help prevent delays or breaks in treatment. Help prevent hospital stays or reduce the time you are in the hospital. Help improve how well you respond to treatment.

Help improve how well treatment works. Your Food Advocate: A Registered Oncology Dietitian A registered dietitian RD or RDN is an expert on diet and nutrition. Nutrition Tips From an Expert Oncology nutritionist Rachel Beller answers questions and gives tips on managing food and meals to help us eat well and feel well.

Food Safety During Treatment It is important to handle food safely during cancer treatment. Wash your hands before eating. Keep surfaces that come into contact with food clean.

Keep hot foods hot above °F and cold foods cold below 40°F. Avoid cross-contaminating raw meats and vegetables. Store raw meat on the lowest shelf to avoid juices contaminating other foods.

Wash raw fruits and vegetables well before eating. Avoid high risk foods like undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish and unpasteurized milk or cheese. Avoid high risk foods like sushi, ceviche, raw bean and alfalfa sprouts, foods from street vendors, and self-serve buffets.

Thaw frozen meats in the refrigerator and not on the counter. Refrigerate foods promptly after eating. Your healthcare team may give you more specific instructions. Coping With Eating Problems From Cancer Treatment Cancer can be overwhelming. Eat with friends or family or watch television while eating to take your mind off your lack of appetite.

Keep an eating and drinking schedule and set an alarm to remind you to eat. Keep snacks next to you during chemotherapy or while in bed.

Make mealtime as pleasant as possible. One idea is to set the table, use nice plates, and have flowers as a centerpiece. Overeating or Feeling More Hungry Than Usual If you have an increased appetite or feel more hungry than usual: Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals.

Limit high-calorie foods such as pizza, fried foods, foods made with cheese or cream, and desserts. Choose lower calorie foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, baked or grilled poultry and fish, and beans. Eat higher fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans to help you feel more full.

Be aware of the right portions. For example, a portion of meat is about the size of a deck of cards, a piece of fruit or a serving of vegetables is the size of a baseball, a serving of grains is the size of a light bulb, and a serving of nuts is the size of a golf ball.

Drink a glass of water before meals to fill up and avoid overeating. Cancer Cachexia Drastic unintentional loss of muscle mass and body weight, or loss of appetite, may be signs of a condition called cancer cachexia. Learn More About Cancer Cachexia. Try prunes and other dried fruits and juices, such as prune or apple juice.

Drink hot beverages, such as herbal tea and decaffeinated coffee. It is important to still focus on eating well to help to manage your weight gain during treatment.

Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains are essentially all foods that fight cancer naturally. Research shows links between eating plenty of plant-based foods and lower cancer rates.

Plants produce chemicals — called phytochemicals — that have many benefits. They are anti-inflammatory, can protect cells from damage and disrupt cancer from developing.

There are other theories as to why people who eat more plant-based foods tend to get cancer less often, too. Fiber, which is higher in plant foods, may help prevent cancer.

Several studies have shown higher fiber diets are linked to lower risk of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Of course, the link between a plant-based diet and a lower risk for cancer could also be due to weight.

People who eat mostly plant-based foods tend to consume fewer calories and are less likely to be overweight, which is a risk factor for several types of cancer. The vegan diet entails cutting out all food that is the product of animals.

This means no meat, fish, eggs or dairy. Vegans use plant-based foods to replace the protein, some B-vitamins, and calcium in their diet that others get from animal-sourced foods. The vegan diet, as well as the vegetarian diet, is made up almost solely of cancer fighting foods. When done properly, the diet is high in fiber and comes with all the benefits discussed above regarding eating plant-based foods.

Some processed vegan foods can be high in sodium and added sugar, however. There is a theory that eating alkaline foods, which are high in pH, can help you fight or prevent cancer.

The idea goes that cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment low pH level , and if you consume enough alkaline foods, you can raise the pH level of your blood to make it less acidic, creating a hostile environment for cancer to grow.

However, there is a major problem with that theory. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research , whole grains contain many components that might lower your risk of cancer, including fiber and antioxidants. A large study including nearly half a million people found that eating more whole grains may lower the risk of colorectal cancer, making them a top item in the category of foods to fight cancer.

Oatmeal, barley, brown rice , and whole-wheat bread and pasta are all examples of whole grains. This orange-colored spice , a staple in Indian curries, contains an ingredient called curcumin not the same as cumin that may be useful in reducing cancer risk.

According to the National Cancer Institute , curcumin can inhibit some kinds of cancer cells in laboratory studies and slow the spread of cancer or shrink tumors in some animals.

This cancer-fighting food is easy to find in grocery stores, and you can use it in a variety of recipes on your anti-cancer diet. Leafy green vegetables like spinach and lettuce are good sources of the antioxidants beta-carotene and lutein.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research , some lab studies have found that chemicals in these cancer-fighting foods may limit the growth of some kinds of cancer cells. The skin of red grapes is a particularly rich source of an antioxidant called resveratrol.

Grape juice and red wine also contain this antioxidant. Research suggests that resveratrol may be useful in keeping cancer from beginning or spreading.

Lab studies have found that it limits the growth of many kinds of cancer cells. Certain fruits and vegetables and other plant foods get plenty of recognition for being good sources of antioxidants, but beans often are unfairly left out of the picture.

Some beans, particularly pinto and red kidney beans, are outstanding sources of antioxidants and should be included in your anti-cancer diet. Beans also contain fiber , which may also help reduce your risk of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.

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About DailyOM Most Popular Courses New Releases Trending Courses See All. By Eric Metcalf, MPH. Medically Reviewed. Walter Tsang, MD. Consider these anti-cancer diet guidelines: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and nutrients that are thought to reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Eating more plant-based foods also gives you little room for foods high in sugar. Instead of filling up on processed or sugary foods, eat fruits and vegetables for snacks.

The Mediterranean diet offers foods that fight cancer, focusing mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose cancer-fighting foods like olive oil over butter and fish instead of red meat. Sip green tea throughout your day.

Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and may be an important part of an anti-cancer diet.