Cancer diet: Eat your way to recovery

A Geisinger dietitian suggests food to include — and avoid — in your cancer diet plan to combat side effects and fuel recovery.

There’s more to cancer treatment than chemotherapy and radiation. Your diet, believe it or not, also plays a vital role in fueling your treatment and recovery.

A well-balanced cancer diet provides your body with essential nutrients it needs to repair and recover. It gives you energy, increases muscle tone and strengthens your immune system — which is often weakened by cancer treatments — to improve your body’s ability to fight cancer and fend off infection.

A healthy side effect? A balanced diet also can help mitigate side effects from chemotherapy, radiation and other common therapies.

“Food is medicine,” says Meredith Yozwiak, a clinical dietitian at Geisinger. “And while there’s no diet that can cure cancer, focusing on nutrition can improve patient outcomes and overall quality of life.”

How to develop a cancer diet plan

A cancer diet plan is not one size fits all. Everyone’s body is different. The diet that’s right for you depends on your overall health, the type of cancer you have and where it’s located, and any side effects you have from treatment.

So consult with a registered dietitian before cancer treatment. They can evaluate your nutritional status, identify any nutrient deficiencies and offer strategies to help you get the right nutrition in your diet. Plus, they’ll help you navigate challenges brought on by treatment, such as side effects that impact your ability to eat or tolerate certain foods.

“We’ll help you build a cancer diet plan that’s practical for you,” says Ms. Yozwiak. “We can offer tips for meal planning on a budget or how to eat healthier on the go for hectic nights. We can also suggest what to do if you’re already on a special diet due to a chronic disease like diabetes.”

Foods to include in your cancer diet

Incorporating the right foods into your cancer diet plays an important role in your overall well-being. The primary goals of your anticancer diet are to maintain weight, stay hydrated, sustain strength and energy, and manage symptoms.

Protein

Protein is essential for repairing cells and tissue harmed during treatment, building muscle strength and maintaining energy levels. Your best choices: lean meats, such as chicken, turkey and fish; eggs; low-fat dairy, such as Greek yogurt, milk and cheese; and plant-based sources like beans, lentils, nuts and tofu.

“Plant-based proteins are especially important because they offer the highest levels of vitamins and minerals,” says Ms. Yozwiak.

Fruits and vegetables

Maximize your intake of essential vitamins and minerals your body needs for repair and recovery by “eating the rainbow” of fruit and vegetables. Plus, they’re an excellent source of fiber, which aids in digestion, promotes bowel regularity and helps maintain weight.

Colorful fruits and vegetables like berries, leafy greens and citrus fruits are packed with antioxidants that help protect cells from damage and decrease inflammation.

Complex carbohydrates

Complex (unprocessed or minimally processed) carbohydrates are high in fiber, which helps to maintain gut health — an important component in your immune system — and promotes regularity. This category includes things like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes.

Heart-healthy fats

Opt for sources of heart-healthy (unsaturated) fats, such as avocados, walnuts, olive oil and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. They’re high in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. And they provide other essential nutrients — and enough calories — to keep your body strong and energized.

Water

Hydration is key to help your body function at its best. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially on days when you’re not feeling well or eating much. You can also include hydrating foods in your diet, such as soup. Some fruits and vegetables have especially high water content, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, romaine lettuce and watermelon.

“Staying hydrated is crucial during cancer treatment because it helps flush out toxins and supports various bodily functions,” says Ms. Yozwiak. “It also helps replace water your body may be losing due to treatment side effects, such as diarrhea or vomiting.”

Foods to limit in your cancer diet

Certain foods can negatively impact your health or cause discomfort during treatment. To keep your body strong, limit foods that don’t offer much nutritional value to make room for ones that do. Foods to limit include:

Heavily processed food: Packaged snacks, fast food and pre-prepared food tend to be high in saturated fat, sodium and preservatives. Essential nutrients are often eliminated during processing, and these foods can contribute to unfavorable weight gain and inflammation.
Fried food: High in saturated and trans fats and calories — and low in nutrients — fried food can lead to unfavorable weight gain, inflammation and heart disease.
Food that increases the risk of foodborne illness: Having cancer can compromise your immunity, so stay away from raw fish, raw eggs and unpasteurized milk and cheese. And make sure to wash fruits and veggies well before eating.
Food with added sugar: Limit sugary beverages and processed snacks. They don’t offer much nutritional value, and diets high in sugar can weaken the immune system and contribute to inflammation and weight gain.

Foods to help you combat treatment side effects

Cancer treatments are designed to kill cancer cells, but they also damage healthy cells. On days when you’re not feeling your best, try dietary changes to help you manage these uncomfortable side effects.

Appetite loss: Try eating small, frequent meals or snacks throughout the day, instead of 3 large meals, and choose foods that are appealing to you. For especially tough days, try sipping a protein shake or smoothie.
Taste changes: Treatment can affect your taste buds. Things you didn’t like before might taste good and vice versa. Experiment with different flavors and textures to find what works best for you. Try foods with new spices, marinades or citrus.
Mouth or throat issues: Try smoothies or soft foods, or cut food into very small bites that are easy to swallow. Pureed soup, yogurt and scrambled eggs are good choices. It’s best to limit or even avoid alcohol, citrus or spicy foods that can irritate the mouth and throat.
Constipation: Probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut, and foods high in insoluble fiber can help regulate digestion and offer relief. Stay hydrated by drinking water or other clear liquids throughout the day. But limit sugary drinks and caffeine, as they can contribute to dehydration.
Nausea: Ginger chews and peppermint tea can help relieve nausea. Bananas, crackers, pretzels, applesauce and other bland foods are also easy on the stomach. Eating small meals multiple times a day is easier on your digestive tract — and make sure you don’t skip meals. Limit high-fat, greasy or spicy foods.
Diarrhea: Follow a low-fiber diet, but you can include sources of soluble fiber (e.g., oatmeal, mango, cooked carrots and green beans). Choose foods and beverages high in electrolytes, sodium (sports drinks and broth) and potassium (bananas and potatoes) to replace what you’re losing. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

“It’s always best to get your essential nutrients through food alone,” says Ms. Yozwiak. “But, if you have side effects like diarrhea or vomiting that are causing you to lose essential vitamins and minerals, talk to your doctor about whether taking supplements is right for you.”