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Nutrition for Chemo

Chemotherapy involves ingesting strong medications that are designed to destroy cancer cells in the body. Because chemotherapy can kill both cancer and healthy cells, it's important to incorporate a nutritious diet during treatment. Chemotherapy ruins your appetite, and sometimes the very thought of eating can make your stomach turn. But eating nutritiously keeps your body strong and healthy, which can combat the side effects of chemotherapy and help fight off the cancer.

  1. Before Chemotherapy

    • Most chemotherapy takes place at an outpatient center, and it can take many hours to complete. Plan ahead and maintain your strength during treatment. Find out where there is a microwave or refrigerator at the hospital or clinic, and bring a light snack in a cooler or insulated bag. Most patients find that their body can tolerate a light meal or snack before receiving chemotherapy, and it gives them strength during the process. A light, nutritious snack can include a sandwich, piece of fruit or foods high in fiber or protein.

    Diet

    • During chemotherapy, maintain a balanced and nutritious diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, meat and proteins, grains and starches, and milk and dairy products. Fruits and vegetable contain antioxidants, which are cancer-fighting compounds and provide numerous vitamins and minerals. Meat and protein foods give your body strength and the ability to heal itself and fight infection. Foods in this group include beef, fish, chicken, peanut butter, tofu, eggs and cottage cheese. Grains and starches fill the body with B vitamins and carbohydrates that fill your body with energy. Nutritious grains and starches include whole-wheat breads, rice, pasta and cereal. Milk and dairy products are essential for healthy bones and are a great source of calcium.

    Side Effects

    • When you're going through chemotherapy, your nutrition and diet are going to be highly dependent on what your body is able to tolerate. Chemotherapy causes the body to go through a variety of symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, taste changes, poor appetite, fullness, fatigue and constipation. Because nutrition is so important during chemotherapy and it affects everyone differently, it's important to determine what foods work for you and limit the number of side effects, while keeping your body strong.

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