Food & Meal Planning:

Eating during chemotherapy may be VERY challenging.

  • Your taste buds may be “off”

  • Nothing tastes good.

  • Textures are suddenly off-putting

  • Plus, 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.

FOODS FOR TASTE & TEXTURE ISSUES
FOODS FOR TASTE & TEXTURE ISSUES
FOODS FOR SIDE EFFECTS
FOODS FOR SIDE EFFECTS

  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 may 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?
FOODS TO TRY
FOODS TO TRY

Food as Medicine

What we eat matters. It may not resolve all of your physical issues during chemotherapy, but it can be a useful, complementary tool that helps ease side effects. Below are some suggestions for foods and beverages that can combat the more common side effects of chemotherapy.

DIARRHEA:

TRY:

BRAT DIET (BANANA, RICE, APPLESAUCE AND TOAST)

STAY HYDRATED (SEE ITEMS IN NEXT COLUMN)

AVOID:

CAFFEINE

DAIRY

GREASY FOODS

SPICY FOODS

DEHYDRATED:

TRY:

ADDING LEMON TO WATER (HELPS IF TASTES METALLIC)

FLAVORED WATERS

EAT:

FOODS WITH HIGH WATER CONTENT: WATERMELON, LETTUCE, CUCUMBERS, TOMATOES, BELL PEPPERS, & SQUASH

POPSICLES

NAUSEA:

TRY: SALTINES

GINGER ALE

PEPPERMINT

GINGER

AVOID:

HOT SOUP

STRONG FLAVORS

STRONG SMELLS

LOSING WEIGHT:

ADD: CHEESE

BUTTER

SOUR CREAM

EAT MANY SMALL MEALS

DRINK: MILKSHAKES, ENSURE

EAT: PEANUT BUTTER

AVOCADOS

ICE CREAM

Below is a curated grocery list of key foods that can help ease side effects from chemo.

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS LIST TO YOUR PHONE AND HAVE IT AT THE READY, NEXT TIME YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS SHOPPING!

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.

SEE THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD FOR USE AT THE GROCERY STORE.

GROCERY LIST FOR SIDE EFFECTS
GROCERY LIST FOR SIDE EFFECTS

FOOD THAT WILL GIVE YOU ENERGY!

Carbs give you quick energy.

Proteins give you lasting energy.

Combining these two food types may make a big difference in your energy levels.

ENERGY-PACKED CARBS AND PROTEIN COMBOS:

  • eggs with whole wheat toast

  • peanut butter with apple

  • Greek yogurt with berries

  • oatmeal with nuts

  • trail mix (with nits & berries)

  • apple with cheese

Image by Becky Wiggins from Pixabay
Image by -Rita-👩‍🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay

The fiber, protein, and healthy fats make these nutrient-dense food combos a great way to fuel your body and intake good nourishment that you need during chemotherapy.

Foods like soup can hydrate your body, which is so important during chemotherapy.

STAY HYDRATED!

It’s more than JUST water. Research has shown staying hydrated during chemotherapy improved patients’ energy levels.

WAYS TO STAY HYDRATED:

  • Use a straw (it helps you consume more water)

  • Try flavored waters

  • Buy a nice water container (may want to consider one without metal, if you struggle with metallic taste in mouth)

  • Consume fruits with high water content:

    • watermelon

    • strawberries

    • oranges

  • Make it a Game:

    • Every time you notice a different hour on the clock, take a sip

    • Every time you pick up your phone, take a sip.

  • Place different water stations throughout the house: next to your favorite chair, next to bed, on dining table, etc.

  • Keep water bottles throughout home in common areas.

    Visual Cue

  • Set up a "water intake" timer on your phone. There a number of free apps that can help you track your water intake.

    Audio Cue

  • Combine the act of drinking a glass of water with another habit you already do on a regular basis, such as making coffee or brushing your teeth.

    Habit Stacking

  • Drink a glass of water immediately upon waking, before every meal, and before bed.

    Habit Forming

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)