Eating during chemotherapy: little, often and gentle
Chemotherapy can cause nausea, taste changes, mouth sores, diarrhoea or constipation. Eating is hard on these days, but small steps make a big difference. This section gathers practical tips in one place.
01Short answer
02Simple explanation
Little and often.
With nausea: dry and plain.
With mouth sores: soft, lukewarm.
Enough fluid.
03Scientific explanation
NCI Eating Hints: with nausea, avoid strong-smelling, greasy and very sweet foods, and sit upright for 30–60 minutes after eating.
ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.
NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.
04What happens in the body?
Nausea
Plain biscuits, rice, mashed potato and cold yogurt; ginger may help (see “Ginger: warm support against nausea”). Take your medicines on time.
Taste changes
With a metallic taste try a plastic spoon, sweet-and-sour sauces and spices (see “Spices — food card: flavour, aroma and caution”) if you have no mouth sores.
Dietitian
If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safety
Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.
05Nutrition: four steps
Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.
06Key points at a glance
| Topic | In brief |
|---|---|
 Nausea | Plain biscuits, rice, mashed potato and cold yogurt; ginger may help (see “Ginger: warm support against nausea”). Take your medicines on time. |
 Taste changes | With a metallic taste try a plastic spoon, sweet-and-sour sauces and spices (see “Spices — food card: flavour, aroma and caution”) if you have no mouth sores. |
| Dietitian | If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian. |
| Food safety | Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage. |
07Key terms
- Mucositis
- Inflammation of the lining of the mouth and gut.
- Nutrition drink
- A calorie- and protein-rich drink prescribed by your team.
- Dietitian
- A nutrition specialist.
- Protein
- A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
- Neutropenia
- Low neutrophils.
08Key points
- Small portions.
- Food to match symptoms.
- Tell us if you cannot eat.
- A diet is not a treatment.
- Talk to a dietitian.
09Frequently asked questions
Should I eat my favourite food on chemo days?
Nausea can turn you against it; save favourites for good days.
Do I need nutrition drinks?
If you are losing weight, a dietitian may prescribe them.
Can a special diet cure leukemia?
No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.
10Questions for your doctor
Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.
Should I eat my favourite food on chemo days?
Do I need nutrition drinks?
Can a special diet cure leukemia?
12Sources
- National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
- ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
- World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
- NHLBI. DASH Eating Plan
- NIDDK. Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Cirrhosis
- World Health Organization. Salt reduction fact sheet
- CDC. Chicken and Food Poisoning
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Poultry: safe handling and preparation
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods