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Treatment-Day Tips

Some people undergoing chemotherapy are able to continue eating normally. For others, fear, anxiety, or side effects of chemotherapy treatment may cause eating problems.

A little preparation on treatment days—and other days, too—may help make your chemotherapy regimen a little easier to manage.

Please discuss your individual dietary needs with your healthcare provider.

"Feel-Better" Tips

Make eating during chemotherapy a little more enjoyable and help to avoid nausea by using these easy guidelines.

Be sure to eat on treatment day. An empty stomach does not prevent nausea and may even make you more uncomfortable. Eat plain food such as toast and tea, white rice, and broth. Crackers are good, too. If you have mouth sores, eat unsalted crackers.
Prepare and freeze meals in advance to have for those days when you just don't feel like cooking.
Try to avoid odors that bother you, such as cooking smells, smoke, or perfume.
Rest, but don't lie flat, for an hour or two after you finish a meal.
Wear loose-fitting clothes.
Distract yourself by talking with a friend or family member, listening to music, or watching a movie or TV show.

TLC for Nausea

When nausea hits, these tips may help settle your stomach:

Eat ginger—fresh, candied or pickled. If you can't find ginger in your supermarket, try an Asian specialty food store.
When you feel nauseous, breathe deeply and slowly.
If nausea is a problem in the morning, try eating dry cereal, toast, or crackers before getting out of bed. (Do not try this if you have mouth sores or are troubled by a lack of saliva.)
Ask your doctor or oncology nurse to recommend antinausea medication.

For nutrition tips or recipes that may help you when you experience nausea, just click on the following pages:

Diet & Chemotherapy
Good Foods
Recipes