7 Ways to Adjust Your Diet After a Cancer Diagnosis

If you’re finding it challenging to get the nutrition your body needs due to changes in appetite, understand that this is common and usually temporary.

“Certain foods may now taste bitter, metallic, too sweet or salty – or not have much taste at all,” says Alison Meagher, a registered oncology dietitian at Scripps. “If your sense of smell is affected, this also may change the way food tastes.”

Understand also, there are many easy ways to maintain a healthy diet during cancer treatment.

It may help to avoid eating your favorite foods the day you receive chemotherapy or other treatment to avoid developing food aversions.

If you can’t tolerate solid food, try a liquid nutritional supplement or smoothie instead. Using a straw can help decrease contact with your taste buds.

Oncology dietitians can help patients manage nutrition related to their cancer diagnosis and treatment plan. They work closely with cancer teams and are available to discuss any nutritional concern with patients.

“If you experience persistent loss of appetite or feel nauseated and can’t eat for more than a day, contact your care team,” says Meagher. “A registered dietitian can help you develop a diet plan to get the nutrients and calories you need.”

These tips can help offset temporary changes in appetite, taste and smell after a cancer diagnosis:

• Eat foods at room temperature or cold instead or heated
• Sweeten food with jam, honey, syrup, agave or other natural sweeteners
• Marinate foods in sweet or tangy flavors, such as pineapple, lemon, lime, orange, vinegars, mustard, honey, teriyaki and soy sauce

Instead of meat, try other proteins, such as:

• Bland chicken, turkey, fish or tofu
• Peanut or nut butter
• Beans and lentils
• Mild cheese
• Eggs
• Milk and dairy products (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese)

• Use plastic or bamboo utensils instead of metal
• Use glass cookware
• Avoid canned foods and beverages
• Store food in aluminum foil.

• Chew sugar-free gum or have mints and hard candies to suck on, such as lemon drops or peppermints
• Eat plain, starchy foods like bread, rice, potatoes and pasta without butter
• Choose bland foods, such as mild cheese, eggs, creamy soups, oatmeal and nut butters
• Eat breakfast foods, such as waffles, pancakes, eggs and toast

• Replace sweet fruits with vegetables
• Add water and/or ice to dilute sweet beverages
• Add something sour or tangy to food and/or drinks such as lemon, lime, vinegar, pickled foods or plain Greek yogurt (not recommended if you have mouth sores)

• Sweeten food with jam, honey, syrup, agave or other natural sweeteners
• Use products that are low-sodium or have no added salt
• Avoid cooking with salt

• Add an acid to food, such as vinegar, lemon, lime, and pickles (Not recommended if you have mouth sores.)
• Use herbs, spices, seasonings and condiments, such as cilantro, basil, rosemary, garlic, onion, mint, chili powder, cinnamon, ketchup, mustard or ranch dressing
• Marinate foods in sweet or tangy flavors, such as pineapple, lemon, lime, orange, vinegars, mustard, honey, teriyaki and soy sauce
• Slowly chew your foods to allow more contact with your taste buds
• Eat different food textures, such as crunchy, crispy, soft and chewy

• Eat foods cold or at room temperature
• Sip through a straw or use a cup with a cover for soups and beverages
• Let someone else prepare your food while you are in another area
• Eat outside or in a well-ventilated area
• Avoid using slow cookers
• Avoid cafeterias or restaurants with strong odors