7 Foods To Eat And 7 To Avoid When Going Through Chemotherapy

While eating enough protein is considered essential to just about everyone's health, people going through chemotherapy may require even more protein than usual. Adequate protein can boost healing for cancer-damaged tissue and even stave off infection, according to the American Cancer Society. Generally speaking, you can calculate how much protein your body needs by dividing your weight (in pounds) by two (per OncoLink). The resulting number is how many grams of protein you should aim for daily. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, however, we recommend asking your doctor about increased protein needs.

The good news is that if you're looking to bump up your protein uptake, there are many potential sources to choose from. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that plant-based proteins, which contain high levels of vitamins and minerals, are an excellent option to eat during chemotherapy. Plant-based proteins include beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products. You can also select animal protein sources such as fish or chicken. If none of those items sounds appealing, consider taking protein supplements (per the Mayo Clinic).

While dietary fat sometimes gets a bad rap, the truth is that healthy fats can provide an important source of calories for anyone going through chemotherapy treatment. Your diet probably includes both saturated fats (animal-based, remain solid at room temperature) and unsaturated fats (usually derived from plants). While most individuals should aim to keep their saturated fat intake down to 5-6% of their overall calories (per the American Heart Association), people going through chemo may benefit from adding more fat to their diet. Although your doctor may determine that eating more saturated fat is okay for now, the majority of your fat intake should come from unsaturated fat sources (per Verywell Health). 

Instead of turning to saturated fat sources like butter, cheese, red meat, and tropical oils, Medical News Today recommends healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, nut butters, olive oil, avocados, and some dairy products. These foods can provide additional energy if you're struggling to eat while on chemo. It is generally considered a good idea to avoid trans fatty acids entirely, which are most often found in highly processed foods (per GoodRx Health).

If you're unsure whether you should eat more fat during treatment, talk to your doctor or a registered dietician who specializes in working with cancer patients. They can assess your overall nutritional intake and determine what is best for your individual situation.

Carbohydrates provide your body with energy, something that people going through chemo tend to be short on. In part, this may be because cancer cells use a lot more energy than healthy cells, according to Cancer Connect. In fact, one potential line of cancer treatment could involve closely managing blood sugar levels to avoid glucose spikes, which further feed cancer cells. But before rushing to make any dietary changes, discuss your plans with your doctor. It is important to understand that your body needs healthy carbs to function properly –– even at the best of times. Fortunately, healthy carb sources are easy to find and come in many forms, including whole grains (i.e. quinoa and buckwheat) and fruits and vegetables (bananas, sweet potatoes, and apples), according to Healthline.

Along those lines, Healthline especially recommends eating oatmeal during chemotherapy. Not only is oatmeal an excellent source of carbohydrates, it also provides protein, healthy fat, and antioxidants. Oatmeal also has a mild flavor and soft texture, making it relatively easy to eat if you're suffering from treatment side effects like mouth sores, nausea, or difficulty swallowing. It also goes really well with fresh fruit. Delish provides a wide range of easy oatmeal recipes, with comforting flavors like pumpkin spice, cinnamon roll, caramel apple pie, and strawberries and cream.

Some people going through chemotherapy find that drinking meals is easier than eating them (via WebMD). Plus, smoothies are a great way to get in your daily servings of fruits and vegetables, along with plenty of calories and nutrition. They are also cold –– which can really help soothe a sore mouth or throat from treatment side effects.

WebMD offers a number of "smoothie tips for people with cancer." First, they suggest adding fruit, which acts as a natural sweetener and provides fiber and antioxidants. Potassium-rich bananas and avocado are two great add-ins, though you may wish to avoid fruits with seeds (like strawberries) if your mouth hurts. You can also blend in leafy greens like spinach, kale, or romaine, along with other vegetables. Next, add a protein source like yogurt, nut butter, or protein powder. Finally, you'll need a liquid base. Suggestions include coconut water (good for replacing electrolytes), low-fat milk, your favorite plant-based milk, or filtered water. Here's one healthy smoothie recipe from WebMD: Blend 2 cups frozen unsweetened blueberries, ½ cup calcium-fortified orange juice, ¾ cup low-fat or nonfat vanilla yogurt, ½ medium frozen banana, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Yum!

Looking for more ideas? The Cleveland Clinic suggests using fruit juice to boost calories and provide more flavor, along with adding healthy fats like chia seeds, coconut oil, or olive oil. You can even blend in a scoop of ice cream! And if you're feeling nauseated, try mixing in some fresh mint, grated ginger, or lemon zest.

Not only is broth comforting when you're not feeling well, it is also extremely nutritious and hydrating. Many people specifically tout the healing power of bone broth, which is said to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and improve digestive health (per Psychology Today). But L.J. Amaral, a clinical dietitian in the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute Patient and Family Support Program, explains to Cedars Sinai that there's no need to select bone broth (currently trending) over other types of broth: "I will recommend broths for people who are experiencing electrolyte imbalances, especially after vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating. For people on liquid diets, bone broth may make them feel like they're getting a little bit more variety, even though it's essentially the same thing as other kinds of broths."

The Healthy Cooking Blog shares a Chicken, Barley and Bow Tie Soup recipe from Holly Clegg's book "Eating Well Through Cancer: Easy Recipes & Tips to Guide You Through Treatment and Cancer Prevention." It includes chicken broth, lots of vegetables, rotisserie chicken, and pearl barley. Or, you can make Cancer Support Community's Ginger Turkey and Wild Rice Soup, which consists of chicken broth, diced or shredded turkey breast, fresh vegetables, and wild rice. Whether you opt for regular broth, bone broth, or a broth-based soup, watch your sodium intake and let it cool adequately before eating.

If you're having trouble eating regular food, products like Ensure or Boost can pack in a lot of nutrition in just a few sips. In fact, meal replacement shakes offer many benefits for people going through chemotherapy. These products are convenient, taste good, and can help prevent malnutrition, according to Max Health Living. Their site provides a list of the "best meal replacement shakes for cancer patients," including Nutricia Fortisip, Orgain Organic, and Boost Optimum.

Rachel Dudley, a registered dietitian at the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center in Houston, told Livestrong that a supplemental beverage should contain at least 250 calories and 15 grams of protein. Most commonly, patients turn to Ensure or Boost brands for ready-to-drink products. She explains, "Both products come in several varieties and different flavors that would be suitable for people undergoing cancer treatment." Along with being used as meal replacements during cancer treatment, you can also drink them for energy-boosting snacks or even as a sweet, nutritious dessert (per Ensure).

While it is clearly important to eat as nutritiously as possible during chemo, we also don't want you to feel bad if your nutritional intake isn't perfect. After all, the side effects of treatment may make this extremely challenging on some days. On others, you may discover that your appetite is best first thing in the morning (or later in the day), but you don't feel like eating anything at all during other times. What's most important is to figure out what works best for you.

You may wish to make preparations before starting chemotherapy treatment. The National Cancer Institute offers a helpful digital guide called Eating Hints: Before, during, and after Cancer Treatment. It suggests filling your fridge, freezer, and pantry with healthy items, stocking up on easy-to-prepare foods, preparing and freezing individual portions of home-cooked meals, and asking your friends and family for help with food prep and shopping when you're not feeling well.

Other helpful tips on eating during chemotherapy include boosting flavorless foods with sauces and other toppings, trying plant-based proteins if meat begins to taste bad to you, visiting your dentist regularly to ensure proper oral hygiene, and experimenting with a variety of flavors, textures, and temperatures to learn what is most palatable to you (via the Mayo Clinic). Finally, make sure to talk to your doctor if you are struggling. They can refer you to a nutritionist who specializes in working with cancer patients.