What is the best food to eat when having chemo? A Practical Guide

January 7, 2026 •

5 min read

Approximately 70% of chemotherapy patients experience significant side effects like nausea, fatigue, and changes in appetite, making proper nutrition a challenge. To manage these symptoms effectively and maintain strength, understanding what is the best food to eat when having chemo is crucial for supporting your body throughout treatment.

Quick Summary

Chemotherapy can cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, and taste changes, requiring tailored dietary adjustments. Bland, small, frequent meals are often best, alongside proper hydration. Food safety is paramount for immunocompromised patients. Focusing on nutrient-dense foods helps manage symptoms and maintain strength.

Key Points

Combat Nausea with Bland Foods: Opt for small, frequent meals of low-fat, bland foods like crackers, toast, and broth to manage nausea and vomiting.
Fight Fatigue with Protein: Consume protein-rich foods like eggs, nuts, and lean meats to help maintain energy levels and muscle mass during treatment.
Adjust for Taste Changes: Use plastic cutlery and experiment with herbs, spices, and marinades to make food more palatable when taste is altered.
Sooth a Sore Mouth: Choose soft, smooth, and lukewarm foods such as creamy soups, mashed potatoes, and custards to ease discomfort from mouth sores.
Ensure Food Safety: Practice strict food safety by cooking all foods thoroughly and avoiding high-risk items like unpasteurized products to protect your weakened immune system.
Prioritize Hydration: Sip clear liquids like water, broth, or herbal teas throughout the day to prevent dehydration, which can worsen other side effects.
Plan Ahead for Low-Energy Days: Prepare and freeze meals in advance, or rely on nutrient-dense supplements like shakes, for days when cooking feels too difficult.

Navigating Chemotherapy Side Effects with Diet

Chemotherapy is a vital treatment for many types of cancer, but it can also lead to a variety of side effects that impact your ability to eat and absorb nutrients. These side effects, which can range from nausea and fatigue to changes in taste and appetite, can make maintaining a healthy diet challenging. However, a thoughtful approach to nutrition can help manage these symptoms, support your immune system, and keep your energy levels up. It is important to work with your cancer care team or a registered dietitian to develop a plan that is right for you, taking into account the specific side effects you are experiencing and your individual nutritional needs.

Managing Common Side Effects with Smart Food Choices

Combatting Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, but certain foods can help soothe your stomach. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can prevent your stomach from becoming too full, which can trigger nausea. Bland, low-fat foods are generally the most tolerable, while greasy, fried, or overly spicy foods should be avoided. Staying hydrated is also key, with clear liquids like broth, apple juice, or herbal teas often being easier to handle than water. Sipping liquids slowly throughout the day, often between meals, is recommended.

Foods to try: Plain toast, crackers, pretzels, oatmeal, plain pasta, rice, chicken broth, applesauce, bananas, hard-boiled eggs, sherbet, popsicles, and ginger or peppermint tea.

Boosting Energy and Fighting Fatigue

Chemotherapy-related fatigue can be debilitating. Energy levels can be supported by consuming nutrient-dense foods rich in protein and healthy fats. Eggs are a great option, offering a significant amount of protein and fats that can help combat tiredness. Nuts, seeds, and avocados provide healthy fats and calories, which are crucial when appetite is low. Eating regularly, even if only small amounts, can also help maintain steady energy levels.

High-energy snacks: Avocados on toast, handfuls of nuts and seeds, Greek yogurt, fruit smoothies with added protein powder, and hard-boiled eggs.

Handling Taste and Smell Changes

Chemotherapy can alter your sense of taste and smell, causing food to taste metallic, bitter, or bland. Using plastic cutlery can help if a metallic taste is a problem. Experimenting with different flavorings like herbs, spices, and sauces can make food more palatable. If red meat tastes strange, opting for alternative protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, beans, or tofu can be a good strategy. Serving foods cold or at room temperature can also reduce strong smells and tastes.

Flavor-enhancing tips: Marinate meats in sweet juices or dressings, add sauces like barbecue or mustard, use herbs like basil and mint, and try tart foods like citrus fruits or lemonade (unless you have mouth sores).

Soothing Mouth Sores and Difficulty Swallowing

Mouth sores and a sore throat can make eating painful. In this case, soft, bland, and smooth foods are your best allies. Avoid sharp, acidic, salty, and spicy foods that can cause further irritation. Softening food with sauces, gravies, or broths can make swallowing easier.

Soothing foods: Creamy soups, yogurt, custard, pudding, mashed potatoes, applesauce, milkshakes, and scrambled eggs.

Managing Digestive Issues

Depending on the specific chemo drugs, patients can experience either constipation or diarrhea. For constipation, a diet rich in fluids and fiber (if tolerated) can help. High-fiber foods include cooked beans, peas, lentils, and fresh or dried fruits. For diarrhea, a low-fiber, bland diet is recommended. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a classic choice.

Comparison Table: Food Choices for Different Side Effects


Side Effect	Recommended Foods	Foods to Avoid
Nausea	Bland, low-fat options: crackers, plain toast, oatmeal, chicken broth, ginger tea.	Greasy, fried, and spicy foods, strong-smelling foods, large meals.
Fatigue	High-protein, high-calorie foods: avocados, nuts, eggs, lean meats, Greek yogurt, smoothies.	Large, heavy meals that cause sluggishness; relying on sugary drinks for quick energy.
Taste Changes	Marinated meats, poultry, eggs, tofu, fish, use of herbs and spices, plastic cutlery.	Red meat if it tastes metallic, canned foods, certain acidic items if taste is sensitive.
Mouth Sores	Soft, smooth, lukewarm foods: creamy soups, mashed potatoes, yogurt, custards.	Acidic, spicy, salty, or sharp/crunchy foods; very hot or very cold items.
Constipation	High-fiber foods: whole grains, cooked beans, lentils, raw fruits and vegetables (with skins).	Foods low in fiber, excessive dairy if intolerant.
Diarrhea	Low-fiber, bland foods: BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), clear broths, peeled potatoes.	High-fiber foods, greasy/fried foods, high-sugar drinks, lactose-containing dairy.

Crucial Food Safety for Chemotherapy Patients

Because chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, cancer patients are at a higher risk for foodborne illnesses. Adhering to strict food safety protocols is essential. This includes washing hands and all produce thoroughly, avoiding cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce, and ensuring all meats, poultry, and eggs are cooked to a safe internal temperature. Patients should also avoid unpasteurized juices or dairy, raw eggs, raw fish and shellfish, and items from bulk bins or buffets. For more detailed food safety guidelines, the National Cancer Institute provides comprehensive resources on safe food handling during cancer treatment.

General Strategies for Maintaining Nutrition

Beyond addressing specific side effects, several general strategies can help during chemotherapy. Eating by the clock, rather than waiting for hunger cues (which may be absent), can ensure consistent nutrient intake. Focusing on small, frequent meals and snacks helps maintain energy and prevents feeling overwhelmed by large portions. Making food visually appealing and eating in a pleasant environment can also stimulate appetite. Planning ahead by preparing and freezing meals in advance can be invaluable on days when energy is low. If oral intake remains difficult, nutrient-dense shakes, smoothies, and supplements like Ensure or Boost can be helpful.

Conclusion

There is no single best food to eat when having chemo, but rather a flexible and responsive approach to nutrition that addresses changing side effects. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods, prioritizing hydration, adapting textures and flavors to suit your changing palate, and strictly following food safety guidelines, you can significantly improve your comfort and well-being. Close collaboration with your healthcare team and a registered dietitian is key to tailoring these strategies to your unique needs throughout treatment. By making smart and thoughtful dietary choices, you can feel more in control and better equipped to handle the challenges of chemotherapy, supporting your body's strength and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

On treatment days, it is best to eat light, bland foods that are easy on the stomach. Good examples include plain yogurt, applesauce, poached eggs on toast, or chicken and rice soup. Avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods, and eat small, frequent portions to prevent nausea.

If you have a poor appetite, focus on high-calorie, high-protein foods that are nutrient-dense. Examples include avocados, nuts, smoothies with added protein powder, cheese and crackers, and nutrient-fortified drinks like Ensure or Boost. Eat smaller meals and snacks throughout the day rather than three large ones.

If red meat tastes metallic, try alternative protein sources that might taste better, such as chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, or beans. Marinating meat in sweet or savory sauces can also improve the flavor. Using plastic cutlery instead of metal can also help reduce the metallic taste sensation.

To manage diarrhea, stick to a bland, low-fiber diet. The BRAT diet, which consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is often recommended. Other good options include clear broths, peeled potatoes, and canned fruits. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

With a weakened immune system, strict food safety is critical. Avoid unpasteurized products, raw or undercooked meats, eggs, and seafood. Cook all food thoroughly, wash all fruits and vegetables, and avoid communal food sources like salad bars or buffets.

Nutritional supplements like Ensure or Boost can be very helpful for chemotherapy patients, especially those who struggle to eat enough to meet their nutritional needs. They provide extra calories and protein in an easy-to-consume format. Always discuss supplements with your doctor or dietitian before starting.

If you have a dry mouth, moisten your foods with extra sauces, gravies, broth, or butter. Eating softer foods like creamy soups, yogurt, and mashed potatoes can also help. Sipping water throughout the day or using a straw for drinks can also provide relief.