The short version
- Eating well can help you keep your strength and energy, and cope better with treatment.
- Your needs may change over time. Focus on enough energy and protein, and eat what you can manage.1
- If you’re losing weight, have a poor appetite or other eating problems, ask your team about a dietitian.
Keeping your strength up
European guidance for people with cancer recommends enough energy and protein, around 1 to 1.5g of protein per kg of body weight a day, and staying physically active to help maintain muscle.1
- Eat little and often, with snacks between meals.
- Include protein at each meal and snack: milk, yoghurt, cheese, eggs, fish, meat, beans, lentils or tofu.
- Make food count if your appetite is small: add milk powder, cheese or nut butters, and try nourishing drinks.
- Eat more when you feel best.
Coping with eating problems
- Feeling sick: see eating when you feel sick.
- Taste changes: see taste and appetite changes.
- Constipation, often from painkillers: drink plenty, and ask your team about laxatives.
- A sore mouth: choose soft, moist foods and tell your team.
Special diets and supplements
There’s no diet that can cure cancer. Restrictive diets can make it harder to keep your weight and strength up. Some supplements and herbal remedies can interact with treatment, so check with your team or pharmacist first.2 See supplements and complementary therapies.
Changing priorities
As things change, the focus may move from healthy eating rules to enjoying food and eating whatever you fancy and can manage. That’s okay. Your team and a dietitian can help you find what works for you.
Free information
- World Cancer Research Fund has a free guide to eating well during cancer.3
- Breast Cancer Now helpline: free on 0808 800 6000.4
Related pages
Everyone’s treatment is different, so talk to your cancer team about what is right for you.
References
- Muscaritoli M, Arends J, Bachmann P, et al. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer. Clinical Nutrition. 2021;40(5):2898–2913. doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.005
- Cancer Research UK. Safety of complementary and alternative therapies. www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/about/safety
- World Cancer Research Fund, with the British Dietetic Association Oncology Specialist Group. Eat well during cancer (free guide). www.wcrf.org/living-well/living-with-cancer/eat-well-during-cancer/
- Breast Cancer Now. Support for you: secondary breast cancer (leaflet). breastcancernow.org/media-assets/4xibp3mc/support_for_you_sbc_leaflet.pdf