Some chemotherapy drugs can cause side effects that can make it difficult for you to eat right and get the nutrition you need. These drugs can affect your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, making it hard for you to eat enough.  Your GI tract is all the parts of your body that you use to take food in and send waste out. Eating enough food can help keep your weight up and can make you feel stronger. If you feel strong, your body and immune system will be able to handle the treatments better.
What Kinds of Side Effects are There?
Please remember that not everyone will have these side effects. People respond differently to chemotherapy, and some people will have very few problems.
Some common side effects are:
- Changes in the way food tastes.
- Feeling sick (nausea or vomiting).
- Constipation and diarrhea.
- Pain or discomfort in your GI tract.
- Feeling full all the time.
- Problems with your mouth and teeth.
Why is Eating Right so Important?
You need to make sure that you keep eating enough food during your chemotherapy. Eating right will help you stay strong and will help your body handle the chemotherapy better.
Even though you may have some of the problems listed previously, it is important that you work with your physician to make sure you are eating as well as you can. There are lots of things you can try to help yourself. For example, there are meal plans you can eat that will help you get over diarrhea or constipation. There are also tips you can use that will help food taste better and cut down on food smells that might bother you.
Why are Fluids so Important?
Drinking fluids will help you avoid dehydration, which can happen when your body doesn’t have as much liquid as it needs to work right.
Drinking fluids also helps to flush the chemotherapy drugs out of your system. Your physician will be able to tell you how much you need to drink each day.
Tips For Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
Taste Changes
Taste buds are very sensitive to chemotherapy, often causing changes to taste or a complete loss of taste. Foods may taste metallic and/or very bitter or sweet. Listed below are a few important tips to help provide and maintain adequate nutrition during this time. Keep in mind that each person is different and what works for some people may not work for you.
- Avoid eating your favorite foods while receiving chemotherapy.
- Since the taste of food is altered, you may develop an aversion to these favorite foods.
- Eat small, frequent meals or snacks.
- Try new foods (since the taste of food is altered, new foods may now be acceptable).
- If you have a bitter taste in your mouth, try sucking on lemon drops or mints. Acidic foods may stimulate taste buds. Try:
- Sucking on a lemon wedge before eating
- Drinking lemonade, tea with lemon and citrus fruits and drinks
- Eating pickled foods such as pickles, olives, sauerkraut, and herring
- Marinating meats in orange juice or lemon juice
- Experiment with the use of extra seasonings in food preparation, such as onions, garlic, bacon bits, herbs, and spices (basil, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, mint, etc.).
- If red meat does not appeal to you, try some of these high-protein alternatives:
- Cheese, cottage cheese, milk, and yogurt
- Dried beans, peas, and legumes
- Tofu (soybean curd)
- Peanut butter
- Eggs
- Fish and poultry, especially served in a cold plate or salad.
- If you experience an aversion to very sweet foods, try:
- using a bland nutritional supplement (ask your physician)
- adding a few drops of bitters, similar to those used in cocktail drinks, to cut the sweet taste of frappes or other supplements
- adding coffee flavoring or instant decaffeinated coffee to frappes
- using Polycose instead of sugar to add calories to foods and beverages
- Avoid tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. These may aggravate side effects.
Feeling of Fullness
A common side effect of chemotherapy is the feeling of fullness after having eaten only a small amount of food. Nearly one-half of people receiving chemotherapy experience this at one time or another.
These are a few important tips to help you maintain adequate nutrition during this time.
- Eat small, frequent meals. Use nutritious snacks such as yogurt, cheese, muffins, peanut butter, and deviled eggs.
- Chew foods slowly (this prevents your stomach from becoming too full too quickly).
- Limit greasy foods, butter, and rich sauces.
- Drink nutritious liquids such as juices, milkshakes, and milk.
- Limit the amount of liquid you drink with meals (drink juices, milkshakes, and milk between meals).
Nausea
Nausea related to the chemotherapy is most often a temporary condition. Few people have this problem for an extended period of time. These are some important tips to help provide and maintain adequate nutrition while you experience nausea.
- Avoid eating or drinking one or two hours before and after receiving chemotherapy.
- Eat small, frequent meals (low-fat items such as low-fat cottage cheese, toast with jelly, hot and cold cereals, and popsicles are easier to digest and get through the stomach faster).
- Eat dry foods such as toast or crackers, especially soon after getting up in the morning.
- Eat bland foods such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, sherbet, and cottage cheese.
- Avoid liquids at mealtimes. Take them 30 to 60 minutes before eating.
- Do not lie down flat for at least two hours after eating. If you wish to rest, sit down quietly.
- Try clear, cool beverages to alleviate nausea. Take any you feel you can handle, such as clear soups, carbonated beverages, apple and cranberry juices, popsicles and gelatin. Sip liquids slowly.
- When nauseated, avoid being around food that is being cooked and other people who are eating.
- Sometimes, loose-fitting clothing or fresh air can help.
