Healthy foods to eat during cancer treatment

If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet. But you may be wondering which foods provide the most nutrients or which foods will help ease the side effects from treatment.  

We spoke with senior clinical dietitian Chelsea Ebrus, who shared healthy foods to eat during cancer treatment.

A plant-based diet is best

A plant-based diet is not only recommended to help reduce your cancer risk; it also has benefits during cancer treatment. Be sure to ask your doctor and dietitian if a plant-based diet is appropriate for your specific situation.

Plant-based means that most of the foods you consume will come from plants. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts.

“Plant foods with antioxidants and phytonutrients are especially good,” says Ebrus. “Phytonutrients are chemical compounds found in plant foods that have potential benefits to the body.”

Foods high in phytonutrients tend to be colorful, like the colors of the rainbow. Some examples are blueberries, red grapes and eggplant.

Healthy fats help reduce inflammation in the body. You can get healthy fats by consuming foods, such as avocado, olive oil, cashews and walnuts.  

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are recommended, and stone fruits, such as peaches, plums and nectarines, are healthy options as well.

“We also recommend eating some lean animal protein, such as chicken, fish and turkey as well as plant-based proteins like beans, lentils and tofu,” says Ebrus. “Protein helps you keep your muscle during cancer treatment, a time when you’re at an increased risk for losing muscle.”

Hydration is key during cancer treatment

Staying hydrated is especially important during chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy to help flush out any toxins from the body. It can also help replace water your body may be losing due to treatment side effects, such as diarrhea or vomiting.  

“Water is always good, or you can opt for liquids rich in electrolytes,” says Ebrus. “Coconut water is a great natural option.”

Consuming fruits with high water content, like grapes and watermelons, is also part of a healthy diet during treatment.

It’s recommended to drink half of your body weight in ounces of fluid per day. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should aim to drink about 80 ounces per day.

Make adjustments if you have decreased appetite or loss of taste

Many patients experience a loss of appetite or loss of taste or smell during cancer treatment, making it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.

“Our motto is ‘eating something is better than nothing,’” says Ebrus. “We recommend eating small meals frequently, even if it’s just a few bites of something every couple of hours.”

Patients often ask if they can get their antioxidants through supplements.

“We advise against this because the antioxidants in supplements may contain too concentrated of a dose, which can interact with their treatment,” Ebrus says.

If you are having trouble consuming enough fruits and vegetables, Erbus suggests trying a high-protein smoothie with a base of Greek yogurt or protein powder with added fruits and vegetables.

RELATED: Lost your sense of taste or smell? 8 tips for eating well

A healthy diet has benefits after cancer treatment

While it’s important to consume healthy foods and drinks during cancer treatment, sticking to a nutritious diet can also help throughout survivorship.

“Maintaining a healthy diet is one thing you can do to help lower your risk of cancer recurrence,” says Ebrus. “A healthy diet has so many benefits for your health and well-being.”

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.