5 Diet Tips for Eating During Chemotherapy

February 24th, 2024 | Cancer

How Can You Maximize Health While On Chemo

As you can imagine, chemo can be rather challenging, especially when it comes to eating. It is also clear how important it is to have a proper cancer diet during this period. For this purpose, we have prepared 5 tips on how to eat during chemotherapy. This will help you cope with the challenge more efficiently and take in all the necessary nutrients to become stronger.

Ensure sufficient protein intake

Proteins are the primary building material in constructing every tissue. By doing so, infections are prevented, damaged cells can be repaired, and weight and muscle loss can be prevented. All these things are important during your cancer treatment.

For this purpose, ensure you have an abundance of protein in your cancer diet. Beans and lentils, dairy products, snacks with nuts, eggs, and, of course, protein bars are considered great foods to eat during chemo as they will alleviate some of the symptoms you’re experiencing.

Don’t forget about proper hydration

During the treatment, vomiting and diarrhea can be common. These symptoms dehydrate the body, which is why good rehydration is required. For this purpose, don’t forget to take in large amounts of fluids during the day.

If you need to remember to drink water or simply don’t feel thirsty, keep a bottle of water next to you and drink a little at a time. Of course, if you’re bored and want some flavor, consider teas and foods rich in liquids like watermelons in your cancer diet. However, if you drink juice, monitor your sugar intake.

Trick your appetite

Sometimes, you just have no appetite and don’t want to eat anything. When this happens, there is a way to trick your body into returning your appetite. Walking in the fresh air or exercising at an intensity you can handle might make you hungrier.

When it comes to how to eat during chemotherapy, try to eat smaller meals, which won’t overwhelm you, and you’ll get the nutrients needed for healing and bodily function. Still, when you can’t get solid food, consider including protein and nutrient-rich smoothies in your cancer diet.

Adjust your food according to your digestive problems

If you are facing digestive difficulties, adjust your cancer diet accordingly. So, if you have nausea or vomiting, adjust the size of your meals. Also, consume easily digested foods, such as potatoes or rice.

Diarrhea is also a common symptom, which requires products low in fiber. Yogurt is good for replenishing the gut bacteria that help digest food. On the other hand, if you are experiencing constipation, foods rich in plant fiber might be worth trying.

If the symptoms do not stop, check with your doctor for therapy or supplementation like our Queasy products that help with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Try out a variety of tastes

Cancer treatment can affect your taste buds. Therefore, food that you used to love may become unpleasant. Complaints of a metallic taste in the mouth are common, while bitterness is no exception. Avoid using metal food utensils and canned goods to avoid a metallic taste. If you feel bitterness, mask that taste with sugar or salt. Finally, trying different foods will make your cancer diet much more diverse – and enjoyable!

If you liked this article, check out the rest of our blogs to learn more about coping with cancer treatments effectively. Don’t forget to browse our products that will make nausea disappear in the blink of an eye!