Overview

You do not need a special diet while you are having chemotherapy. It is more important to have a nutritious and well-balanced diet.

This will help you: 

• cope with any side effects of chemotherapy
• prevent any weight loss or nutritional deficiencies
• reduce the risk of infections
• recover from treatment

This information provides guidance about:

• dietary supplements and special diets 
• eating well and managing weight changes
• making sure your food is safe to eat 

If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your oncology dietitian or nurse. 

Supplements or special diets

There are dietary supplements, herbal preparations and diets that claim to cure cancer or help slow its growth. However, there is no reliable scientific evidence to support this. If you decide to take dietary supplements of any kind, please talk to your oncology dietitian or doctor first. They can make sure you have the correct information and make an informed decision.

Eating well during chemotherapy

Eating well means eating a varied and balanced diet. This will give your body all the nutrients it needs to function well. These nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

This information will give you ideas about how to have a balanced diet that gives you enough calories, and the nutrients your body needs.

Making meals easy

Nutritious meals do not have to be hot meals. They can be quick to make. Sandwiches, flans and quiches, tinned fish and meats can all go towards making a nutritious meal.

If you are finding cooking difficult or tiring, try using convenience foods which can be as nutritious as home cooked meals. Many supermarkets have a wide range of frozen, chilled, packet and tinned foods and meals.

Weight changes with chemotherapy

Weight changes can occur during chemotherapy. You might lose or gain weight. A slight change in your weight during chemotherapy is not a concern.

Weight loss

Significant weight loss can affect how you cope with chemotherapy. Losing a lot of weight in a short time can lead to loss of muscle. This can mean you have less strength, feel weak, feel very tired (fatigue) and are less able to do your day-to-day activities.

Weight loss during chemotherapy might be due to side effects, such as:

• loss of appetite
• taste and smell changes
• a dry or sore mouth
• feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
• finding it hard to poo (constipation) or having diarrhoea
• feeling very tired

Your oncology doctor can give you medicines to help with some of these side effects. For example, mouthwashes, anti-sickness medicines, pain relief, laxatives for constipation, and medicines for diarrhoea.

If you have lost your appetite, or the amount of food you eat is affected by any side effects, there are some simple steps that can help.

Try to:

• eat little and often
• enrich your foods with butter, cheese, cream, honey or syrup to get more energy (calories) into the foods you eat
• choose high-energy snacks such as cheese and biscuits, cakes and full-fat yoghurts

If you are finding it hard to eat solid foods, have more nutritious fluids such as milkshakes. 

An oncology dietitian can give you more practical advice about how to manage some of the chemotherapy side effects, and how to enrich your meals to help you maintain or gain weight.

Weight gain

Some people have unwanted weight gain during chemotherapy. This might be because they are doing less physical activity, and eating more due to boredom or stress, or it might be due to steroid-related increased appetite.

In the short term, a slight increase in weight is not a concern. In the longer term, it can affect your health. Your oncology dietitian can give you advice on how to manage your weight.

Oncology dietitians

The oncology dietitians can give you information, advice and support during your treatment.

They can help if you are losing weight (more than 2kg since your last appointment), or are underweight. 

They can also help if you are struggling with eating and drinking due to:

• poor appetite 
• taste changes
• swallowing difficulties
• feeling full
• dry or sore mouth
• changes in bowel habits

You can also ask them questions about alternative diets. 

Ask your doctor or nurse if you would like to be referred to an oncology dietitian.