Oncology Nutrition

Cancer and cancer treatments may cause your mouth and/or throat to become sore or tender.

Try these tips:

• Choose soft, moist foods. Examples can be found in the “Soft and Moist Food Choices” table below.
• Puree food if necessary. Use a blender or food processor to create a smooth texture. Try using broth with meats when blending.
• Focus on protein rich foods that are easier to eat, like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, rice pudding, fish and creamy macaroni and cheese.
• Add extra sauces, dressings and gravies to foods to help moisten them.
• Try sucking on ice chips when you have mouth pain and drinking through a straw to avoid sore spots.

Foods that are painful will vary from person to person. The following foods may be painful to eat:

• Tart and acidic foods like citrus (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes), tomatoes and pineapple
• Salty foods
• Rough foods, such as dry toast, crackers, chips, pretzels, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables
• Spices, seasonings and condiments, such as pepper, chili powder, salsa, ketchup, horseradish, hot sauces and pickles
• Alcoholic and carbonated drinks

Caring for Your Mouth

Maintain good oral hygiene. Rinse your mouth three to four times daily with a saltwater rinse (one quart water, one teaspoon baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt).

Use a soft bristled toothbrush and avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol.

Soft and Moist Food Choices

Cancer and cancer treatments may cause fatigue/weakness. Try these tips:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can make fatigue worse.
• Eat enough protein and calories. Without enough, your body will break down its own muscle to find the fuel that it needs. Muscle loss can make fatigue worse.
• Be as active as you can be while getting the rest your body needs. You may find your fatigue is worse for a couple of days after treatment. Rest often on those days and be as active as you can be on the days you feel better. Even a five minute walk a couple of times per day can help fight fatigue.

Dehydration is a common side effect of cancer treatment. Try these tips to ensure you are staying well-hydrated:

• Drink 8 to 10 cups (64 – 80 ounces) of liquids per day.
• Keep a bottle of your favorite drink with you at all times.
• Add lemon juice, fruit slices or store-bought flavorings to water to give it a different taste.
• Include foods such as popsicles, gelatin, Italian ice, soups, smoothies and watermelon, as they can add to your fluid intake.

Cancer and cancer treatment may increase your calorie and protein needs. If you are not able to eat more, this can lead to weight loss. Try these tips to prevent weight loss:

Increase Calories

• Choose whole milk or alternatives with similar protein content, like soy or lactose-free milk. Check nutritional labels for coconut or almond milk, as most have little to no protein.
• Try milk in place of water in recipes for hot cereal and soup.
• Add half-and-half or cream in place of milk or water in recipes.
• Try the “double milk” recipe included in this booklet. A cup has double the protein of regular milk.
• Drink milkshakes. Use premium, regular-fat ice cream, which has more calories.
• Mix cheese, cottage cheese or ricotta cheese into casseroles, pastas and omelets.
• Add evaporated milk in place of whole milk in desserts, baked goods, meat dishes and cooked cereal.
• Add sliced avocado to soft foods you can tolerate.
• Drizzle oil or butter on top of pastas, rice and cooked cereals to add extra calories. Each teaspoon has 45 calories.
• Try using powdered milk in casseroles, meatloaf, cream soups and mashed potatoes for extra calories and protein.

Increase Protein:

Include protein with every meal and snack. Sources include:

Cancer and cancer treatments may decrease your appetite. Try these tips to help you eat enough:

• Eat small amounts more frequently. Eat every two to three hours, or at least five times daily.
• Drink most fluids between meals.
• Use reminders to eat:
  • Set timers.
  • Allow family and friends to remind you.
  • Set out a basket of snacks in plain sight.
• Make the most of every bite. Increase the calorie and protein content of the foods you eat. See food suggestions below.
• Keep a variety of convenient meals and snacks. Examples include trail mix, single serve yogurts and frozen meals.
• Create a pleasant atmosphere for eating.

Increase Calories

• Choose whole milk or alternatives with similar protein content, like soy or lactose-free milk. Check nutritional labels for coconut or almond milk, as most have little to no protein.
• Try milk in place of water in recipes for hot cereal and soup.
• Add half-and-half or cream in place of milk or water in recipes.
• Drink milkshakes. Use premium, regular-fat ice cream, which has more calories.
• Mix cheese, cottage cheese or ricotta cheese into casseroles, pastas and omelets.
• Add evaporated milk in place of whole milk in desserts, baked goods, meat dishes and cooked cereal.
• Add sliced avocado to soft foods you can tolerate.
• Drizzle oil or butter on top of pastas, rice and cooked cereals to add extra calories. Each teaspoon has 45 calories.
• Try using powdered milk in casseroles, meatloaf, cream soups and mashed potatoes for extra calories and protein.

Increase Protein

Include protein with every meal and snack. Sources include:

• eggs
• meat, poultry, fish and seafood
• cheese, yogurt and milk
• hummus and tofu
• nuts, seeds and nut butters
• cream, potato, split pea or bean soup
• oral nutrition supplements