Diet for Somebody on Chemotherapy

Maintaining a good diet while undergoing chemotherapy can be a challenge for many patients. Some patients find it difficult to find any food that is appetizing while receiving treatment for cancer. Many foods that were once your favorite don't quite taste the same or turn your stomach. It is important to maintain a healthy diet during your treatment to help maintain your strength.

Nutrition

• Chemotherapy can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and many patients suffer from all these symptoms at one time or another during treatment. This can cause nutritional deficiencies when these symptoms are not managed properly. Your doctor or dietician may recommend a multivitamin to ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
  Make sure your diet is well balanced. Find foods your stomach can tolerate and stick with them. Don't be surprised if some of the foods you once enjoyed don't have the same appeal. Stay away from your favorites to avoid losing an appetite for them after chemotherapy is finished.

Calories

• You may not want to eat at this time, but it is important to consume enough calories to maintain your weight. Increase the calorie count of some foods you can tolerate by using higher calorie ingredients. Add butter to your vegetables and other foods such as soups and hot cereals.
  Use cream instead of milk when making soups and sauces to give these foods a calorie boost. Use sour cream on your baked potato and other foods.
  Discuss your calorie needs with your doctor or nutritionist to make sure you are eating an adequate amount to keep your weight up during treatment.

Eating Difficulties

• Chemotherapy causes a number of eating difficulties for patients. Nausea and vomiting are common occurrences. There are ways to decrease these discomforts so you can get an adequate amount of nutrition.
  Eat foods high in calories and nutrition. Drink beverages before or after a meal to decrease nausea and feeling full too quickly. Avoid foods with strong smells such as overly spicy foods. These may be more likely to make you feel nauseous. Eat smaller meals throughout the day if you are having difficulty with your appetite.
  Avoid foods that are very sweet or greasy to control nausea. These foods may also cause diarrhea. Don't eat too close to bedtime and avoid lying down right after a meal. These tips can help you keep your food down and your strength up while undergoing cancer treatment.