Food & Meal Planning:

Eating during chemotherapy may be VERY challenging.

  • Your taste buds may be “off”

  • Nothing tastes good.

  • Textures are suddenly off-putting

  • Add on, you may have oral issues, like a sore mouth and gums or issues with swallowing.

You may really struggle to find palatable foods that you can actually tolerate. This section provides some tips and strategies to try to make eating better.

  1. PREPARE YOUR BODY

Set yourself up for success and take any over-the-counter or prescribed medications PRIOR to even attempting to eat.

2. TRY DIFFERENT OPTIONS

As explained in the following video, keep your home well-stocked with a variety of easy, simple, bland, easy to swallow foods in different forms.

SHOPPING & MEAL PLANNING: This might make ALL the Difference!

This video helps you strategize your grocery shopping and food selection during chemotherapy.

The side effects of chemo may make it hard to eat due to sensitive mouth & throat, texture and taste changes, digestive tract issues, nausea, etc.

Energy conservation strategies are also explored, as well as tips for eating on "the go."

Are you struggling to find foods to eat while on chemotherapy?

Or are you a caregiver trying to figure out what to buy your loved one?

This list is compiled from actual responses from women with breast cancer (from a review of hundreds of recent responses on reddit).

What we eat matters. It may not solve all your chemotherapy side effects, but it can be a useful, complementary tool for solving problems. Below are some suggestions for foods that can combat the more common side effects of chemotherapy.

Food as Medicine

DIARRHEA:

TRY: BRAT DIET (BANANA, RICE, APPLESAUCE AND TOAST)

AVOID: CAFFEINE

DEHYDRATED:

TRY: ADD LEMON TO WATER (HELPS IF TASTES METALLIC)

WEIGHT LOSS

ADD: CHEESE, BUTTER, SOUR CREAM ADDITION

EAT MANY SMALL MEALS

DRINK: MILKSHAKES

EAT: PEANUT BUTTER, AVOCADOS

NAUSEA:

TRY:

SALTINES,

GINGER ALE

AVOID: HOT SOUP

This grocery list is specific to side effects of chemo, with many of the foods targeted at relieving many different issues, such as nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, sensitive mouth.

GROCERY LIST

This is a list of grocery items that may alleviate side effects from chemo.  These foods are just suggestions; we all have our own personal tastes and know what works for us. 

Add anything to this list that brings you comfort & joy.

 FRUITS & VEGETABLES:

_____ AVOID highly acidic fruits, like orange or grapefruit

_____ Bananas (reduce diarrhea, balance electrolytes)

_____ Watermelon – pre-cut (hydrating)

_____ Potatoes (hydrating)

_____ Salad (premade kit for energy conservation)

_____ Pre-Cut anything else (energy conservation)

 

PANTRY STAPLES:

_____ Bread (helps nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, good for mouth sores/throat)

_____ Saltines (helps nausea, diarrhea, indigestion)

_____ Rice crackers (helps nausea, vomit, diarrhea, & indigestion)

_____ White rice (helps diarrhea, indigestion, & stomach acidity)

SIMPLIFY: microwaveable rice options or boil-in-bag rice (fatigue)

_____ Instant potatoes (energy conservation)

_____ Pasta

_____ Microwavable foods (energy conservation and less aromatic than oven)

 

CANNED GOODS:

_____ Applesauce (nausea, diarrhea, easy to swallow) (note: cinnamon can irritate)

_____ Jelly (any flavor that appeals to you, naturally sweetened may be best)

_____ Peanut butter (helps with weight gain, good source of protein)

_____ Beans (good source of protein, easy to swallow)

 

SNACKS:

_____ Ginger snaps (helps nausea)

_____ Ginger candies (helps nausea)

_____ Graham crackers (helps nausea)

DAIRY:

_____ milk

_____ yogurt (easy to digest, probiotics, can use for smoothies)

_____ cheese: string cheese, cheese slices, shredded (protein, energy)

_____ sour cream (if losing weight, can help add)

_____ butter (if losing weight, can help add)

 

BEVERAGES:

_____ Flavored waters (hydration, variety to make it more appealing)

_____ Electrolyte, sports drink (electrolytes after vomit, diarrhea)

_____ Ginger ale (nausea)

_____ Tea, like ginger or peppermint (nausea, hydration) (NOTE: mint may irritate)

_____ Other teas (soothing to mind/soul, hydration) (NOTE: heat may aggravate)

_____ Lemon juice (nausea) (NOTE: acidic, may irritate mouth)

_____ Water bottles (hydration after diarrhea, vomit, constipation)

FROZEN:

_____ Frozen peas (for neuropathy)

_____ Frozen meals that appeal to you (be cautious with strong smells or flavors)

_____ Frozen fruit: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc. (hydration, healthy)

_____ Popsicles (help mouth sores, reduce nausea, improve hydration)

_____ Ice cream (may help with mouth sores, gain weight, hydration)

 

PAPER GOODS and CLEANING PRODUCTS:

_____ Toilet paper – good quality (helps with diarrhea)

_____ Paper towels (helps with precautions, energy conservation)

_____ Plastic plates/forks and knives (helps with precautions, energy conservation)

_____ Straws (helps with hydration)

_____ Dishwashing detergent

_____ Laundry detergent (stock up as heavy item)

_____ Anti-bacterial cleaner (for keeping home clean and safe)

_____ Disposable wipes (for cleaning surfaces in bathroom after chemo)

_____ Trash can liners

_____ Garbage bags

HEALTH and HYGIENE:

_____ Face masks (to keep you safe from infections when in public)

_____ Lotion to protect skin (ideally with SPF, may want one for sensitive skin)

_____ Hat or head covering (protect delicate scalp from sun)

_____ Anti-bacterial soap (in pump for ease of use, sanitary)

_____ Toothbrushes (soft, quality, multi-pack)

_____ Toothpaste (your own dedicated tube, try sensitive gum if lining irritated)

_____ Washcloths

_____ Pet food/litter/supplies (if low, stock up as heavy items/hard to manage later)