What foods should you eat while on chemotherapy?

December 25, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the National Cancer Institute, proper nutrition is a crucial part of cancer treatment, helping patients maintain strength and manage side effects. This guide explains what foods should you eat while on chemotherapy to help your body cope with treatment.

Quick Summary

Proper nutrition during chemotherapy is vital for maintaining strength and managing side effects. Focusing on balanced, high-protein, and calorie-dense meals can counter treatment-induced challenges like nausea, fatigue, and taste changes. Adjusting your diet based on symptoms and prioritizing food safety are key for recovery.

Key Points

Prioritize Protein and Calories: To counteract muscle loss and fatigue, focus on high-protein, calorie-dense foods like lean meats, dairy, nuts, and avocados.
Manage Nausea with Bland Foods: Choose small, frequent portions of plain, cool foods like crackers, yogurt, or ginger tea to reduce stomach upset.
Adjust for Taste Changes: Combat metallic or bitter tastes by using plastic utensils, marinades, herbs, or lemon. Consider non-meat protein sources if needed.
Stay Hydrated: Consuming plenty of fluids, including water, broth, or electrolyte drinks, is crucial for flushing toxins and preventing dehydration, especially during diarrhea or vomiting.
Ensure Food Safety: A weakened immune system makes you vulnerable to foodborne illness. Avoid raw or undercooked foods and unpasteurized products.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: Eating smaller portions more often helps manage appetite fluctuations and prevents a full stomach from triggering nausea.
Consider Soothing, Soft Foods: For mouth sores or swallowing difficulties, opt for soft, creamy foods like mashed potatoes, smoothies, and custards, served at a comfortable temperature.

Why Nutrition Is Critical During Chemotherapy

During chemotherapy, your body is under immense stress. Your appetite, energy levels, and nutrient needs can change dramatically. The right diet helps your body repair healthy tissues, maintain muscle mass, and strengthen the immune system. It also plays a significant role in managing common and often debilitating side effects. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods and making strategic dietary adjustments, you can improve your overall quality of life throughout treatment.

Managing Common Side Effects with Food

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is one of the most common chemotherapy side effects, and certain food choices can make a significant difference.

Eat Small, Frequent Meals: An empty stomach can worsen nausea, so grazing throughout the day can help.
Choose Bland Foods: Opt for low-fat, simple foods like crackers, toast, plain rice, or baked chicken. Avoid greasy, spicy, or very sweet items.
Try Cold or Room-Temperature Foods: Hot foods can have strong smells that trigger nausea. Cold foods like yogurt, chilled soups, or popsicles are often easier to tolerate.
Sip Clear Liquids: Stay hydrated by sipping on clear liquids throughout the day. Options include ginger ale (allowed to go flat), broth, and apple juice.

Loss of Appetite

Chemotherapy and the cancer itself can decrease your appetite, leading to weight loss and malnutrition.

Prioritize High-Calorie, High-Protein Foods: If you can only eat a little, make every bite count. Add healthy fats like olive oil or avocado to meals, and choose protein-rich foods like eggs, nut butters, and Greek yogurt.
Drink Your Calories: When solid foods are unappealing, high-calorie shakes, smoothies, and nutritional supplement drinks can provide essential nutrients.
Eat When You Feel Best: Many people feel best in the morning. Focus on eating your largest meal when your appetite is strongest.
Create a Pleasant Atmosphere: Eating with family and friends or in a relaxing environment can make meals more enjoyable.

Taste and Smell Changes

Foods may taste metallic, bitter, or bland. Altering flavors and preparation methods can help.

Use Plastic Utensils: This can help if you experience a metallic taste from silverware.
Add Flavorful Seasonings: Use herbs, spices, or marinades to enhance flavor. Tart flavors like lemon or vinegar can also help.
Try Non-Red Meat Proteins: If red meat tastes strange, substitute with chicken, fish, beans, or eggs.
Serve Foods Cold: As with nausea, serving foods at a lower temperature can reduce overpowering smells and tastes.

Constipation

Certain medications and lack of activity can cause constipation.

Increase Fiber Gradually: Introduce high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans slowly to avoid gas.
Stay Hydrated: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of fluid daily to help fiber work effectively.
Drink Warm Beverages: Warm prune juice or herbal tea can help stimulate bowel movements.

Diarrhea

To manage diarrhea, it's important to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

Follow the BRAT Diet: Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast can be easy on the digestive system.
Eat Potassium-Rich Foods: Diarrhea can deplete potassium, so include foods like bananas and potatoes without skin.
Avoid High-Fat, Spicy, and High-Fiber Foods: These can aggravate diarrhea.
Try Small, Frequent Meals: This helps avoid overloading the digestive system.

Comparison Table: Best Foods for Common Chemo Side Effects


Side Effect	Best Foods to Eat	Foods to Limit or Avoid
Nausea & Vomiting	Bland foods (crackers, plain toast), cold items (yogurt, gelatin), clear liquids (ginger ale, broth), ginger tea	Greasy, spicy, high-sugar, and strong-smelling foods, very hot or cold liquids
Loss of Appetite	High-protein snacks (nuts, cheese, nut butter), smoothies, avocado, calorie-dense foods	Large, overwhelming meals, low-calorie foods when weight loss is a concern
Taste/Smell Changes	Lean poultry, fish, eggs, marinated meats, plastic utensils, tart foods (lemon drops), herbs	Red meat (if metallic taste occurs), canned goods, bitter-tasting items, metal cutlery
Constipation	High-fiber foods (whole grains, beans, fruits), prunes, warm beverages, plenty of fluids	Gas-forming vegetables (cabbage, broccoli), excessive caffeine
Diarrhea	BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), bland foods, electrolyte drinks, potassium-rich foods	Spicy foods, fried/greasy foods, high-fiber intake, dairy (if lactose intolerant)
Sore Mouth/Throat	Soft, moist foods (scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes), creamy soups, cool or lukewarm items, nutritional shakes	Spicy, salty, acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes), crunchy or hard items, alcohol

The Role of a Registered Dietitian

While this guide provides general advice, consulting with a registered dietitian is crucial for creating a personalized nutrition plan. They can help you manage specific side effects, address underlying nutritional deficiencies, and ensure you are getting the right balance of macro and micronutrients. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides a searchable database of qualified nutrition professionals. A dietitian can work with your oncology team to tailor a diet that meets your body's unique needs throughout treatment.

Conclusion

Navigating dietary challenges during chemotherapy can be difficult, but informed food choices can significantly improve your well-being. By prioritizing high-protein and high-calorie foods, managing specific side effects with strategic meal planning, and ensuring proper food safety, you can empower your body to withstand treatment. Remember to eat small, frequent meals, stay hydrated, and consult your healthcare team or a registered dietitian for personalized advice. Proper nutrition is a powerful tool in your treatment journey, helping you maintain strength, manage symptoms, and enhance your recovery.

Food Safety Best Practices During Chemotherapy

During chemotherapy, your immune system may be compromised, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. Following these guidelines is essential:

Wash Hands and Surfaces: Thoroughly wash hands, utensils, and cutting boards with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
Cook Thoroughly: Ensure all meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature to kill bacteria.
Avoid High-Risk Foods: Steer clear of raw or undercooked meat, seafood (sushi), unpasteurized dairy, and raw eggs. Avoid items from buffets and salad bars.
Wash Fresh Produce: Clean all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially if they are eaten raw.
Handle Leftovers Properly: Refrigerate leftovers promptly within two hours and consume them within a short period, typically no more than three days.

Example Meal Ideas

High-Protein Smoothie: Blend Greek yogurt, a scoop of protein powder, a banana, and a handful of spinach. Add a spoonful of peanut butter or avocado for extra calories.
Chicken and Rice Soup: A simple, bland soup with cooked chicken, white rice, and low-sodium broth is soothing for nausea.
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy: Creamy mashed potatoes with added butter or gravy are an easy-to-swallow and calorie-dense option.
Cottage Cheese with Canned Peaches: Soft, sweet, and protein-rich, this can be an appealing snack, especially if taste is altered.
Oatmeal with Honey and Berries: A comforting and nutritious breakfast, oatmeal is easy to digest and can be enriched with added calories from honey or nut butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is very common to experience a loss of appetite during chemotherapy. This can be caused by the treatment itself, fatigue, or changes in taste and smell. Eating small, frequent, and nutrient-dense meals can help ensure you get enough calories.

If red meat develops a metallic taste, try substituting it with other protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, or beans. Using plastic utensils instead of metal silverware can also help reduce the metallic flavor.

To increase calorie intake with a small appetite, focus on adding healthy fats and protein. Examples include adding nut butter to toast, avocado to salads, or preparing high-calorie smoothies with protein powder, yogurt, and fruit.

While it's possible to get necessary nutrients from a balanced diet, a doctor or registered dietitian may recommend a multivitamin if you're not eating enough. However, high-dose supplements are not recommended and can interfere with treatment, so always consult your medical team.

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness with a weakened immune system, avoid raw or undercooked meats, fish (sushi), raw eggs, unpasteurized dairy, and items from bulk bins or buffets. Ensure all fresh produce is washed thoroughly.

For managing diarrhea, consider a bland, low-fiber diet like the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and include potassium-rich foods like bananas.

To soothe mouth sores, eat soft, bland, and moist foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, or yogurt. Avoid acidic, spicy, or crunchy foods, and opt for lukewarm or cold items.

Yes, bland, low-fat foods like crackers, toast, and plain yogurt are often easier on the stomach. Cool or room-temperature foods, along with ginger tea or lemon, can also help calm nausea.

It is often recommended to eat a light, bland meal or snack before your chemotherapy infusion. Avoiding an empty stomach can help prevent nausea. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day post-treatment can also be beneficial.