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Nutrition and daily life

Nausea: small steps, big relief

Nausea is often seen as one of the most feared side effects of chemotherapy, but today there are very good medicines to control it. Eating habits help too. This section explains what and how to eat when you feel sick.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Biscuits, cold yogurt and ice on a tray.
Figure 1.Gentle foods for nausea.

01Short answer

Take anti-sickness medicines at the times your doctor gave, before nausea starts. Eat little and often; choose dry, plain, cold or room-temperature foods. Avoid strong-smelling, greasy, fried and very sweet dishes. Sip fluids between meals. Sit upright after eating. If nausea stops you drinking for more than 24 hours, call your team.

02Simple explanation

Take medicine on time.

Dry, plain, cold food.

Away from smells and grease.

Sit upright after eating.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: to prevent chemotherapy nausea, medicines are given on a schedule before and after treatment; eating tips add to them.

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?

What may help

Biscuits, dry toast, rice, potato, cold yogurt, ice chips, ginger or mint infusion.

An open window and a light curtain.
Figure 2.Fresh air — Nausea: small steps, big relief

Smells

Let someone else cook and open a window; cold food smells less.

Two cups: ginger and mint infusions.
Figure 3.Ginger and mint — Nausea: small steps, big relief

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.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
What may helpBiscuits, dry toast, rice, potato, cold yogurt, ice chips, ginger or mint infusion.
SmellsLet someone else cook and open a window; cold food smells less.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Antiemetic
A medicine against nausea and vomiting.
Anticipatory nausea
Learned nausea that starts before treatment.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Medicine on time.
  • Small, plain portions.
  • No fluids for 24 hours? Call.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

What if the medicine does not help?

Tell your team; there are other drugs and combinations.

Should I eat before chemotherapy?

A light meal is usually better; an empty stomach can make nausea worse.

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.

  1. What if the medicine does not help?

  2. Should I eat before chemotherapy?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12 — Fact Sheet for Consumers
  6. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Folate — Fact Sheet for Consumers
  7. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Vitamins and Minerals
  8. Clinical Nutrition (ESPEN), 2022. Berger MM et al. ESPEN micronutrient guideline
  9. World Health Organization (WHO). Micronutrients
  10. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Minerals
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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