Eating Well After a Cancer Diagnosis

A well-balanced diet is essential for people undergoing cancer treatment. It can help you feel better, stay stronger, have fewer side effects, and give your body the energy it needs to fight cancer. Eating a well-balanced diet will also help improve your overall quality of life both during and after treatment.  

Here are ways that making sure you eat a nutritious diet can help after a cancer diagnosis:  

1. Keep up your strength, energy, and overall wellbeing. Cancer treatments can be physically draining. Fueling your body properly and staying hydrated can help improve your mood and mental clarity. It can also help you continue doing the things you love while in recovery.
2. Support your immune system. During cancer treatment, your risk for illness and infection increases, and a well-balanced diet helps support your immune system. Following food safety guidelines can also help protect you from foodborne illness during this time.  
3. Managing side effects. The food you eat can help manage symptoms related to cancer treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, taste changes, and poor appetite. A dietitian will help you adjust your diet to better tolerate your cancer treatment.  
4. Promote healing and recovery. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, as well as adequate protein and carbohydrates, can help your body heal and recover from the stress of cancer and its treatments.  
5. Keeping a desired weight. Cancer and its treatments can lead to weight loss or gain. Eating a well-balanced diet and getting daily movement can help support your weight goals.  

Getting Help with Healthy Eating

Some registered dietitians specialize in working with people with cancer. They can help support you in getting proper nutrition during your cancer journey.

When you meet with a dietitian, they’ll do a full evaluation to determine your personal nutritional needs. Then, they can give you individualized recommendations for your diet and related lifestyle changes.

BMC has dietitians available to support you. If you are interested in meeting with a dietitian during your cancer treatment, please ask your provider. And if you’re interested in learning more about healthy nutrition during cancer and treatment, you can join BMC’s Teaching Kitchen for a Cancer and Sickle Cell Support class. In this class, you’ll learn about food and nutrition, spend time with a supportive community, and watch a culinary educator demonstrate a nutritious and tasty recipe.