If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, it’s vital you continue to eat well during treatment, as it will help you to
- Cope with your treatment
- Withstand infections
- Reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies
- Generally improve your quality of life
Maintaining a good dietary intake can be challenging because tumour growth can increase energy needs. Also, physical symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, sore mouth, taste changes, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea make it difficult to eat well and maintain a good weight.
Ask to see a registered dietitian if you’re struggling to eat well – you’ll receive support and specific advice for maintaining your nutritional intake. Some of these practical solutions may also be helpful:
- Try to regain any weight lost during acute treatment periods
- Keep ready-meals in the freezer for when you’re too tired to cook
- Eat regularly – keep nutritious snacks to hand
- Add an extra dash of olive oil in cooking or on salads and don’t worry too much about sugar intake
- Try a glass of wine or small sherry to stimulate your appetite
- If you find the smell of food makes you feel nauseous try eating uncooked foods – like a sandwich or a yogurt which have fewer odours
- If you don’t have much of a an appetite try to eat little and often rather than big meals