What foods reduce the side effects of chemotherapy? A comprehensive nutritional guide

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to studies, over 60% of cancer survivors report persistent fatigue as a lingering side effect of treatment. Navigating the intense and varied symptoms of treatment can be challenging, which is why understanding what foods reduce the side effects of chemotherapy is a powerful tool for improving quality of life during your cancer journey.

Quick Summary

This nutritional guide offers practical dietary strategies for managing common chemotherapy side effects, including specific food recommendations for nausea, appetite loss, fatigue, mouth sores, constipation, and diarrhea. It emphasizes tailored food choices and general eating habits to help patients better tolerate treatment.

Key Points

Combat Nausea with Bland, Cold Foods: Eat small, frequent meals of mild-flavored foods like crackers, toast, or popsicles to reduce nausea. Ginger and mint can also help calm an upset stomach.
Boost Energy with Iron and Omega-3s: To fight fatigue, increase your intake of iron-rich foods like spinach and lean meats, as well as omega-3 fatty acids from fish and nuts.
Soothe Mouth Sores with Soft, Bland Dishes: Opt for soft, moist, and cool foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soups. Avoid hot, spicy, or acidic items that can cause irritation.
Manage Bowel Changes with Fiber Adjustments: For constipation, increase fiber with whole grains and fruits like prunes. For diarrhea, focus on the low-fiber BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) and soluble fiber from oatmeal.
Adapt to Taste Changes with Flavor Tricks: Use plastic utensils for a metallic taste, add herbs and spices for blandness, or suck on sugar-free candies to mask bad tastes.
Stay Hydrated and Safe: Sip fluids constantly, prioritizing nutrient-dense liquids if needed. Practice strict food safety, avoiding raw or undercooked items due to a weakened immune system.

The Role of Nutrition in Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that can affect the entire body, impacting normal cells as well as cancer cells. This can lead to a range of side effects that can make eating difficult. Maintaining proper nutrition is vital during treatment to help maintain strength, support the immune system, and tolerate the therapy. By strategically choosing specific foods and adjusting eating habits, patients can significantly mitigate some of these common side effects.

Managing Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is one of the most common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Dietary adjustments can make a substantial difference.

Foods to Eat for Nausea

Bland foods: Try toast, crackers, pretzels, white rice, plain pasta, and boiled or baked potatoes. These are gentle on the stomach and less likely to trigger nausea.
Ginger: Ginger has been shown to help with chemotherapy-related nausea. Try ginger tea, ginger chews, or sipping ginger ale.
Cold or room-temperature foods: Hot foods often have stronger odors that can trigger nausea. Opt for chilled foods like popsicles, yogurt, cold sandwiches, and smoothies.
Mint: Peppermint tea or hard mint candies can help settle the stomach.

Eating Strategies for Nausea

Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large ones.
Avoid eating or preparing food in a room with strong smells.
Do not lie down immediately after eating; stay upright for at least an hour.

Combating Fatigue

Fatigue is often cited as the most common and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. Proper nutrition can provide the energy needed to manage it.

Energy-Boosting Foods

Iron-rich foods: A lack of iron can lead to anemia, worsening fatigue. Incorporate spinach, lentils, beans, fortified cereals, and lean red meat if tolerated. Pair these with foods high in vitamin C, like strawberries and citrus, to enhance iron absorption.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These healthy fats can help reduce inflammation, which contributes to fatigue. Sources include fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Protein: Eggs, chicken, fish, tofu, nuts, and lentils provide the building blocks for muscle strength and energy.
Whole grains: Carbohydrates from whole grains like oats, brown rice, and whole wheat bread provide a steady source of energy.

Soothing Mouth Sores and Taste Changes

Mouth sores (mucositis) and altered taste perception can make eating painful or unpleasant.

Foods and Tips for Mouth Sores

Soft, bland, and moist foods: Choose options that are easy to chew and swallow, such as scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, and creamy soups.
Room temperature or chilled foods: Avoid very hot or spicy foods, which can irritate sores. Popsicles or ice chips can be soothing.
Use a straw: This can help bypass painful areas in the mouth when drinking liquids.

Addressing Taste Changes

Metallic taste: Use plastic or wooden utensils instead of metal. Flavor foods with herbs, spices, or marinades to mask the taste. Try mild-flavored proteins like chicken or tofu.
Bland taste: Experiment with new seasonings and stronger flavors like a squeeze of lemon or lime (if mouth sores are not an issue).
Masking bad tastes: Suck on sugar-free hard candies, mints, or chew gum between meals.

Managing Digestive Issues: Constipation and Diarrhea

Chemotherapy can affect the gastrointestinal tract, leading to bowel changes.

Comparison Table for Digestive Issues


Feature	Constipation Relief	Diarrhea Relief
Diet Type	High-fiber diet	Low-fiber (soluble fiber) diet
Recommended Foods	Whole grains, bran cereal, legumes (beans, lentils), raw or dried fruits (prunes)	The BRAT diet: Bananas, Rice (white), Applesauce, Toast (white). Also, oatmeal, skinless potatoes, and plain noodles.
Fluid Intake	Drink at least 8-10 glasses of fluid daily. Warm liquids can help stimulate bowels.	Sip on water, broths, and sports drinks to stay hydrated and replace electrolytes. Drink a cup of fluid after each loose stool.
Foods to Avoid	Limit caffeine and processed foods.	Limit dairy, fatty/fried foods, spicy foods, and raw vegetables.
Key Action	Increase fiber gradually and stay active.	Rest the bowel with clear liquids initially, then slowly add bland, easily digestible foods.

Important General Dietary Advice

Beyond addressing specific symptoms, certain overall practices can aid nutritional support during chemotherapy.

Prioritize Hydration

Dehydration can exacerbate fatigue and nausea. Aim to sip fluids throughout the day, especially if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. Water, herbal teas (like chamomile or hibiscus), clear broths, and diluted fruit juices are good choices. Adding lemon or lime slices to water can make it more palatable.

Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods

When appetite is low, it’s crucial to make every bite count. Focus on foods high in calories and protein to prevent weight loss and maintain strength. Examples include avocados, nuts, seeds, smoothies made with Greek yogurt or protein powder, and adding mild cheeses to dishes.

Practice Food Safety

Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. Always wash produce thoroughly, cook meats completely, and avoid raw or undercooked foods like sushi, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy. Ensure all leftovers are stored correctly and not kept for more than a few days. For more detailed information on food safety during cancer treatment, consult resources like the National Cancer Institute's patient education materials.

Conclusion

While chemotherapy side effects can be challenging, proactive nutritional management is a key component of effective self-care during treatment. By incorporating specific foods and adjusting eating habits based on your symptoms, you can improve your appetite, manage discomfort, and maintain strength. Always consult your oncology care team or a registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice tailored to your specific treatment plan and health needs. They can provide tailored guidance and ensure your diet supports, rather than interferes with, your therapy. Following these guidelines can empower you to feel more in control of your health and well-being during this demanding time.

For more resources on nutrition during cancer care, visit the National Cancer Institute website. Visit the NCI for cancer nutrition information.

Frequently Asked Questions

When your appetite is low, focus on eating smaller, more frequent meals and snacks. Prioritize nutrient-dense foods that offer high calories and protein in small portions, such as smoothies, Greek yogurt, avocados, or milkshakes. Eating something is better than nothing.

Yes, to minimize the risk of foodborne illness with a weakened immune system, avoid raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy, raw eggs, and unwashed produce. For managing side effects, it is also recommended to avoid fatty, greasy, spicy, or overly sugary foods, especially if you are experiencing nausea.

While supplements like meal replacement drinks (Ensure, Boost) can be helpful, especially when you have a very low appetite, it is crucial to speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian before taking any vitamin or mineral supplements. High doses of some antioxidants can interfere with treatment.

If plain water is unappealing, try infusing it with flavor by adding slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber. Non-caffeinated herbal teas, broth, and juicy fruits like melon or grapes can also help with hydration.

For those experiencing nausea or sensitive to strong smells, cold or room-temperature foods are often better tolerated. They emit less aroma, which is less likely to trigger sickness. However, if your taste is dulled, you might find more flavor in warm foods.

The BRAT diet—Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast—consists of bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest. It is often recommended for managing diarrhea during chemotherapy as it can help rest the bowel and absorb excess fluids.

Yes, but with caution. Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. During diarrhea, peel fruits and cook vegetables. With a weakened immune system, always ensure they are thoroughly washed. Avoid foods from buffets or salad bars to reduce infection risk.

To combat a metallic taste, use plastic or wooden utensils instead of metal. Marinate meats in flavorful sauces, use herbs and spices liberally, and consider eating chilled foods, as they often taste less metallic.