Diet and nutrition

A healthy, balanced diet consists of a range of different food types that are eaten in the right amounts.¹ This ensures you get enough vitamins, minerals, protein, and fibre, which are all vital in helping your body to function well.^1,2

Overall, fruits and vegetables should make up over a third of the food you eat in a day. Another third should be taken up by starchy foods, such as breads, pasta, rice, and potatoes – particularly wholegrain or wholemeal varieties, as these contain more fibre than white varieties.^1,2

The remaining third should be split between protein, dairy, and a small amount of oils and spreads.^1,2

Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat, and other proteins are essential for our bodies to grow and repair themselves and can also contain vitamins and minerals. Dairy is another source of protein, and also provides calcium, which is important for healthy bones. Finally, you should try to limit the amount of oils and spreads during the day.²

While you may not be able to create this balance in every meal, it’s worth aiming for this at least a few times a week.¹

Cancer treatments can often lead to side effects, including fatigue and loss of appetite. These can make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet, which can lead to people with cancer losing weight during treatment. The lower your weight, the harder it can be to cope with treatments, so it’s important to find ways to maintain a healthy diet. 

Some people find cooking difficult when they have cancer if they’re experiencing side effects. If you’re struggling like this, why not try some of the ideas below:³

• Have a friend or family member help you with cooking or food shopping
• Prepare meals in advance in batches, so that you can reheat them throughout your week
• Look into 'meals on wheels' schemes, where a service will deliver specially prepared meals to your door for you

Some people also find that they can lose their appetite. This could be down to changes in how things taste, to nausea, or to just not feeling hungry.⁴ In these cases, try:

• Eating smaller portions of food more often than you normally would^3,4 
• Carrying snacks with you so that you have something to eat if you get some appetite back during the day³ 
• Making meals a happy and relaxing time – play music, have a conversation, or if you are on your own watch something you enjoy on TV³

• Moisten foods with sauces, gravy, or dressings
• Eating very sweet or tart foods and drinks can help make more saliva
• Take sips of water throughout the day
• Speak to your doctor or dentist about using artificial saliva that can help coat, protect, and moisten your mouth 

• Eat soft foods that are easy to chew, such as scrambled eggs, custards, or even milkshakes
• Cook foods until they’re soft and tender
• Cut food into smaller, more manageable pieces
• Eat foods at room temperature, as your sores may be sensitive to hot and cold foods
• Suck on ice cubes to numb and soothe your mouth

• Add spices and sauces to foods to intensify the flavour
• Try tart foods and drinks, such as lemonade 
• Use chewing gum or mints to remove any metallic or bitter tastes from your mouth
• Avoid eating from metal containers or utensils; use plastic ones instead
• Chew food for longer to allow more contact with taste buds

• Eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow
• Moisten food with gravy, sauces, dressings, or yogurt
• Cook foods until soft and tender
• Eat 5 or 6 small meals instead of 3 larger meals a day
• Sit upright and bend your head slightly forward when eating or drinking, and remain upright for at least 30 minutes after eating

• Eat bland, soft foods that are light, rather than heavier meals
• Eat dry foods such as bread sticks, toast, or crackers throughout the day
• Slowly sip liquids throughout the day and during meals to avoid feeling full or bloated
• Avoid skipping meals, as an empty stomach can make nausea worse
• Speak to your doctor about using anti-nausea medicines

• Avoid eating or drinking anything until the vomiting has stopped
• Drink small sips of clear liquids after the vomiting has stopped
• After you can drink clear liquids without vomiting, you can try heavier liquids such as soups or milkshakes
• Eat 5 or 6 small meals instead of 3 larger meals a day
• Sit upright and bend forward after vomiting
• Ask your doctor if they can recommend any medicine to control vomiting

1. Macmillan. What is a healthy, balanced diet? Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/healthy-eating-and-cancer/what-is-a-healthy-balanced-diet. Accessed August 2021.
2. NHS. Eat well. 2019. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/. Accessed August 2021.
3. Macmillan. Eating problems and cancer, 2020. Available at: https://cdn.macmillan.org.uk/dfsmedia/1a6f23537f7f4519bb0cf14c45b2a629/3833-10061/mac13613-e04-eating-problems-lowres-20200929-lk. Accessed August 2021.
4. Newton A et al. Mosby’s oncology nursing advisor. First Edition. Mosby Elsevier. 2009.
5. National Cancer Institute. Nutrition in cancer care (PDQ®)–patient version. 2021. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq#_177. Accessed August 2021.