You know good nutrition is crucial during cancer treatment, but chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can wipe out your appetite and energy. When cooking a healthy meal is the last thing you want to do, try these tips from Corey Tolbert, RD, LD, a licensed and registered dietitian at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont.
Stock your freezer. “I always recommend stocking your freezer before you begin cancer treatment,” says Tolbert. “Healthy casseroles and soups are easy to thaw and heat up when you don’t feel like cooking.” If someone offers to bring you a meal, suggest something freezer-friendly that you can eat now or later.
Embrace no-cook meals. “Sometimes people are sensitive to certain smells or warm foods during cancer treatment,” she says. “If this is the case, I suggest making chicken salad with rotisserie chicken or tuna salad with a can of tuna. You won’t have to do to a lot of prep and cold foods tend to be tolerated better.”
Eat plenty of protein. “If you are going through surgery, your protein needs will increase,” says Tolbert. “You need protein for healing.” Stock your kitchen with hardboiled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese and nuts.
Balance your meals. “Try to have a carbohydrate, protein, vegetable and fruit with most meals,” she says. “Fruits and vegetables have important phytonutrients that boost your immune system so your body can fight cancer and tolerate cancer treatment better.”
Eat omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and can improve your ability to tolerate chemotherapy. Find them in salmon, ground flax seeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
Eat starches first. “If your appetite is low, try eating a carbohydrate first because they tend to be higher in calories,” she advises. Starchy foods like Cream of Wheat, toast, an English muffin, a bagel, mashed potatoes, rice and noodles all tend to be well-tolerated.
“When people have side effects from cancer treatment, my main concern is their calorie intake,” says Tolbert. “I know it goes against some healthy eating recommendations, like eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, but if you don’t get your calories in and you lose weight quickly, your immune system will decline.”
Losing weight too quickly can make you more susceptible to illnesses like the common cold and can reduce your body’s ability to tolerate treatment. Tolbert recommends meeting with a dietitian before and during your cancer treatment journey to determine your calorie and macronutrient needs.
Learn more about cancer prevention, wellness and treatment from Cancer Wellness experts.
FAQs
Eat starches first.
“If your appetite is low, try eating a carbohydrate first because they tend to be higher in calories,” she advises. Starchy foods like Cream of Wheat, toast, an English muffin, a bagel, mashed potatoes, rice and noodles all tend to be well-tolerated.
What foods to eat when your not feeling well? ›
Here's what to eat when sick with stomach problems.
- Bland carbohydrates. Choose bland carbohydrates like plain rice, toast, crackers, or pretzels when your stomach feels queasy. ...
- Ginger. Ginger has long been recognized for its ability to calm an upset stomach. ...
- Bananas. ...
- Herbal mint tea. ...
- Yogurt. ...
- Lightly steamed vegetables.
Eat starches first.
“If your appetite is low, try eating a carbohydrate first because they tend to be higher in calories,” she advises. Starchy foods like Cream of Wheat, toast, an English muffin, a bagel, mashed potatoes, rice and noodles all tend to be well-tolerated.
What should you eat when feeling sick? ›
Eat these 6 foods when you're nauseous.
- Toast.
- Mashed potatoes.
- Plain rice or noodles.
- Bananas.
- Protein-rich foods like low-fat Greek yogurt, plain chicken or turkey, protein shakes.
- Mild fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes and pears.
If you're feeling under the weather, these four comfort foods and drinks will help you feel better in no time! Grilled cheese sandwiches are gooey and crispy, oatmeal is filling and nutritious, hot tea is soothing and calming, and toast is easy on your tummy. So next time you're sick, be sure to give these foods a try.
Should I eat more when sick? ›
You don't have to eat as much as usual, but it's important to choose helpful foods. If you have nausea and vomiting, try a little broth and dry crackers until it passes. Vomiting and diarrhea can get worse if you drink fruit juices, so stick to water until your stomach is stronger.
What foods make your body feel better? ›
Fruit, veg and wholegrains
These are important for stabilising your mood, as they release sugar into your body slowly. Other sources of complex carbs include wholemeal bread, brown rice, whole grain pasta, beans, pulses and oats.
What is the best breakfast when sick? ›
Yogurt, oatmeal and other soft foods that are bland and easy to tolerate. Yogurt has probiotics, which help with gut health and prevent diarrhea. Ginger, turmeric and cinnamon. These spices have been shown to have some anti-inflammatory effects, so using these in foods when you aren't feeling well can help.
What food makes your stomach feel better? ›
Here are eight of the best foods for an upset stomach you can eat to feel better faster.
- Ginger. Ginger is a common natural remedy for nausea and vomiting. ...
- Chamomile. Chamomile is another common treatment used for nausea. ...
- Peppermint. ...
- Licorice. ...
- Lemons. ...
- Applesauce. ...
- Bananas. ...
- Toast or Crackers.
Protein sources such as lean meats, dairy, eggs, and legumes are especially important because they supply the amino acids that your body needs to build the components of your immune system. Choose protein-rich plant sources with heart-healthy fat, such as peanut butter and nuts.
Eat regularly
If you cannot manage large meals, have a snack or small meal every 2-3 hours instead. Try foods like cereal, soup, milky pudding, trifle, mousse, stewed fruit and custard, soft cake, milk or yogurt, toast, cheese on crackers, or biscuits and milk. Try to eat the foods that you prefer, little and often.
How to heal from being sick fast? ›
These remedies might help you feel better:
- Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ...
- Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.
- Soothe a sore throat. ...
- Combat stuffiness. ...
- Relieve pain. ...
- Sip warm liquids. ...
- Try honey. ...
- Add moisture to the air.
Refined white bread, crackers, and pasta are easy on your stomach if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Foods that reduce inflammation, such as fatty fish and green leafy vegetables, may alleviate cold and flu-related symptoms like body aches. Staying hydrated is essential, no matter your symptoms.
What are good dinners for an upset stomach? ›
What foods can provide relief from an upset stomach?
- Steamed or boiled vegetables.
- Low-fiber starches such as white bread, saltine crackers or cream of wheat.
- Skinless baked chicken or turkey.
- Oatmeal.
- Potatoes.
Bland Foods
- Eggs.
- Vegetables (cooked, canned, or frozen—avoid raw fresh vegetables)
- Fruit (canned or juice is often easier on an upset stomach)
- Lean meat like chicken or fish cooked with little fat or seasoning.
- Pudding.
- Popsicles.
- Weak tea (decaffeinated is preferred)
Remember, what you eat can affect your mood, so we've pulled together a list of foods that make you feel good.
- Bananas. Known for their energy-releasing properties, bananas are also mood-boosting fuel. ...
- Avocados. ...
- Seeds. ...
- Eggs. ...
- Oily fish.
A diet with lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats such as fish, nuts, and seeds may help lessen the effects of feeling tired! This booklet and the study dietitian will help you learn how to make room in your diet for foods that can help fight fatigue.
What to eat when you haven't been eating well? ›
Stick to bland foods like crackers, toast, potatoes, noodles, and rice. Try eating very small meals, 6-8 a day. You may be able to tolerate foods that contain a lot of water, like frozen pops, Jell-O, and broth-based soups.
How do you make your body feel better when sick? ›
Self-care for viral illnesses
- Antibiotics do not work for viral infections; they can do more harm than good.
- Rest. ...
- Hydrate. ...
- Choose healthy foods. ...
- Avoid smoking and vaping. ...
- Gargle if you have a sore throat. ...
- Use honey. ...
- Consider allowing a mild fever (below 101 degrees) to run its course.
