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Türkiye: Local food for patients

During treatment, appetite, taste and digestion can change. Turkish cuisine has many soft, well-cooked dishes that can suit this period.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, warm yoghurt soup with cooked mint.
Figure 1.Yayla soup — Türkiye: Local food for patients

01Short answer

With nausea, mouth sores or poor appetite, many patients find simple, warm, soft food easier. Turkish cuisine has such dishes: yayla soup (made with pasteurised yoghurt), lentil soup, rice broth, boiled chicken, soft pilaf, purées of cooked vegetables, and sütlaç and muhallebi (cooked with pasteurised milk). This is not a personal diet; your dietitian and doctor give your specific eating plan.

02Simple explanation

Soft: for mouth sores.

Simple: for nausea.

Little and often: small portions.

03Scientific explanation

Side effects: the NCI notes eating problems are common during chemotherapy and a dietitian can help.

Safety: the WHO five keys apply to home cooking too.

04What happens in the body?

Warm soup

Yayla soup is soft and gentle; the yoghurt should be pasteurised.

Milk puddings

Sütlaç and muhallebi are cooked and kept in the fridge; eat them fresh.

On a dark navy background, sütlaç ramekins with golden tops.
Figure 2.Sütlaç — Türkiye: Local food for patients

A simple meal

Boiled chicken, soft rice and cooked carrots are a light option with nausea.

On a dark navy background, boiled chicken, rice and carrots.
Figure 3.A simple meal — Türkiye: Local food for patients

05Eating on hard days

Four approaches.

Nausea — Simple and warm.1NauseaSimple and warm.
Mouth sores — Soft, mildly spiced.2Mouth soresSoft, mildly spiced.
Little and often — Small, frequent portions.3Little and oftenSmall, frequent portions.
Dietitian — A personal plan.4DietitianA personal plan.
ComfortFamiliar flavours.
EnergyEating continues.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Warm soupYayla soup is soft and gentle; the yoghurt should be pasteurised.
Milk puddingsSütlaç and muhallebi are cooked and kept in the fridge; eat them fresh.
A simple mealBoiled chicken, soft rice and cooked carrots are a light option with nausea.

07Key terms

Yayla çorbası
Yoghurt soup.
Sütlaç
Rice pudding.
Muhallebi
Milk pudding.
Haşlama
Boiled meat.

08Key points

  • Simple, warm food.
  • Soft texture.
  • Pasteurised milk.
  • Little and often.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

What can I eat with mouth sores?

Soft, lukewarm, non-acidic, mildly spiced food; ask your team.

How long does sütlaç keep?

As a general rule eat cooked food within 1–2 days; rules may be stricter during neutropenia.

Do I need a diet?

Only your team gives a personal eating plan.

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 can I eat with mouth sores?

  2. How long does sütlaç keep?

  3. Do I need a diet?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food
  2. FoodSafety.gov (U.S.). Food Safety for People with Cancer
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  5. Tata Memorial Centre, ACTREC. Department of Medical Oncology
  6. Christian Medical College, Vellore. Department of Haematology: bone marrow transplantation
  7. Government of India. e-Visa (including e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas)
  8. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Center
  9. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. International Center: frequently asked questions
  10. Fred Hutch Cancer Center. International patients
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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