← Back
After treatment and remission

Nutrition in remission

Healthy eating in remission helps rebuild strength, maintain weight and protect organs such as the heart and bones. This topic explains general principles based on international recommendations for cancer survivors.

Last updated: ~3 min read
A plate of light with green, gold and amber sections.
Figure 1.A balanced plate — Nutrition in remission

01Short answer

Leukaemia treatment takes a lot out of the body. After treatment, nutrition supports recovery, but no special diet has been shown to prevent leukaemia from coming back. International organisations (ACS, WCRF, WHO) recommend general healthy eating principles for survivors. Make about half the plate vegetables and fruit, a quarter whole grains (brown rice, wholemeal bread, oats, buckwheat) and a quarter protein (beans and lentils, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy). Limit processed meat (sausages, salami), large amounts of red meat, sugary drinks and very salty or highly processed foods. Drink enough water. For alcohol, see its own topic (topic “Facts about tobacco and alcohol”). After treatment some people gain weight and others lose it (topic “Weight”); steroids, hormones and low activity play a part. For bones, calcium and vitamin D matter (topic “Liver”); for the heart, less salt and healthy fats. For supplements and vitamins, see topic “Vitamin myths”. For a personal plan, talk to a dietitian, especially if you have diabetes or kidney or liver problems.

02Simple explanation

Nutrition supports recovery.

No diet guarantees protection from relapse.

The plate: half vegetables and fruit.

Limit: processed meat, sugary drinks, salt.

A personal plan: with a dietitian.

03Scientific explanation

General advice: the ACS recommends that survivors eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains and limit processed and red meat, sugary drinks and highly processed foods.

Cancer prevention: the WCRF recommendations show that plant foods, a healthy weight and physical activity lower overall cancer risk; this applies to survivors too.

A healthy plate: the WHO recommends at least 400 grams of vegetables and fruit a day, less salt (under 5 grams a day) and limited sugar.

Food safety: the ACS notes that people whose immunity is still weak (after transplant, on immune-suppressing medicines) should keep following food-safety rules.

04What happens in the body?

Why does nutrition matter?

After treatment the body repairs tissues and muscle strength returns. Healthy eating also helps protect the heart, bones and weight.

A healthy plate

Half colourful vegetables and fruit, a quarter whole grains and a quarter protein. Plant oils and nuts are sources of healthy fats.

A garden of colourful vegetables and fruit.
Figure 2.Colourful plant foods.

What to limit

Processed meat, a lot of red meat, sugary drinks, sweets, very salty food and fast food, and alcohol.

Water and drinks

Make water your main drink. Limit juice and sugary drinks. Tea and coffee in moderation are usually fine — check with your doctor.

A glass of water and a green leaf.
Figure 3.Water and simple whole foods.

Special situations

Steroids can raise blood sugar and appetite; if you have kidney or liver problems, diabetes or chronic GVHD, plan your eating with your doctor and a dietitian.

When to call your doctor

Worrying signs — fever, bleeding, new pain, breathlessness — should be reported to your doctor between visits too. Getting in touch early is always better than waiting.

05Healthy eating in remission

Steps.

Plate — Half vegetables and fruit.1PlateHalf vegetables and fruit.
Grains — Choose whole grains.2GrainsChoose whole grains.
Limit — Processed meat, sugary drinks.3LimitProcessed meat, sugary drinks.
Plan — Talk to a dietitian.4PlanTalk to a dietitian.
RecoveryStrength returns.
HeartThe heart is protected.
WeightWeight stays steady.

06A healthy plate (simplified)

GroupExamplesHow much
Vegetables and fruitMany coloursHalf the plate
Whole grainsBrown rice, oats, buckwheatA quarter
ProteinBeans, fish, poultry, eggsA quarter
LimitProcessed meat, sugary drinksLittle and rarely

* A dietitian can work out your own needs.

07Key terms

Whole grains
Grains that keep their outer layer.
Processed meat
Sausages, salami, smoked meats.
Protein
A nutrient for muscles and tissues.
Fibre
The part of plant foods that helps digestion.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Food safety
Food rules that help prevent infection.

08Key points

  • Eat a varied, mostly plant-based diet.
  • Half the plate vegetables and fruit.
  • Limit processed meat.
  • Make water your main drink.
  • Do not believe in “miracle diets”.
  • Check food-safety rules with your doctor.

09Frequently asked questions

Does sugar “feed” leukaemia?

There is no evidence that sugar makes leukaemia return, but too much sugar is bad for weight and the heart.

Should I become vegetarian?

Not necessarily; eating plenty of plant foods is enough.

When can I eat raw foods?

It depends on your immunity; ask your doctor.

Do special “anti-cancer” diets work?

There is no scientific evidence; balanced eating is more helpful.

Does this information replace medical advice?

No. This is general education; only your treating doctor can assess your situation.

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. Does sugar “feed” leukaemia?

  2. Should I become vegetarian?

  3. When can I eat raw foods?

  4. Do special “anti-cancer” diets work?

  5. Does this information replace medical advice?

My questions

12Sources

  1. American Cancer Society. Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment
  2. World Cancer Research Fund. Cancer Prevention Recommendations
  3. World Health Organization. Healthy diet
  4. NHS. Eat well
  5. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Nutrition
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Follow-Up Medical Care
  7. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer Survivorship
  8. Cancer.Net (ASCO). Follow-Up Care After Cancer Treatment
  9. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Long-Term and Late Effects of Treatment
  10. National Cancer Institute. Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →