How to Relieve Nausea During Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment focuses on eradicating fast-growing cells. This is the reason behind the undesirable side effects of cancer treatments on the gastrointestinal tract, like nausea and vomiting. A healthy diet can help you to feel better and withstand the side effects of your cancer treatments; but you will still need to cope with the nausea.

Instructions

• 1

  Plan ahead so you won't have to endure shopping for groceries while you're nauseous. Prepare protein-rich entrées and freeze in meal-sized portions. Stock your pantry with convenience foods like peanut butter and canned meats.

• 2

  Consume the bulk of your calories in the morning, before you receive your cancer treatment. If you feel nauseous later in the day, sip on liquid meal replacements.

• 3

  Eat frequent meals and snacks instead of the typical 3 meals a day. Large meals can overwhelm the taxed gastrointestinal system; several snacks can boost your caloric intake to tissue-rebuilding levels.

• 4

  Prepare cold meals. Eat foods like cottage cheese, cold cuts, pudding, yogurt and milkshakes that don't fill the kitchen with nausea-triggering odors.

• 5

  Make a habit of eating a nutritious bedtime snack. Your GI system quiets after you fall asleep, limiting queasy feelings. Stick to simple, easy-to-digest foods and beverages such as warm cocoa prepared with milk or chicken and rice soup.

• 6

  Set aside favorite foods for a later date if you find they don't set well during your treatment. Forcing yourself to consume foods can set you up for a food aversion.

• 7

  Stick to beverages if your nausea triggers a vomiting episode. Your body can go for a day without eating, but dehydration sets in quickly after repeated vomiting. Drink clear broth, and eat popsicles and gelatin until you feel like trying a small amount of solid food again.