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What to eat during chemotherapy

Angelvoice
0 Recommendations

Dear friends,
Please tell me about the best foods to eat during chemo. What foods worked for you best? Any easy recepies?
Love,
Angelvoice

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Chemotherapy Constipation Heartburn

10 replies

faithmena

For me some melon, juicy oranges and organic yogurt along with absolutely yummy I cannot get enough of watermelon got me through some very rough patches......
Sending you healing vibes.

chainsawz

Same for me - oranges and any type of melon were so good. I also really loved turkey sandwiches with pickles. The pickles always seemed to help my nausea a bit....not much, but a bit :> I really never felt like big meals, but usually baked chicken and veggies hit the spot. Of course, when I was on steriods it was a different story - anything not pinned down was fair game!! I always point to my chemo "baby" and blame the steriods and of course, the donuts....LOL!!

The one thing I was told by everyone is that if you eat your favorite food a bunch while on chemo, it may not be your favorite when you are done and boy was that 100% true for me!! I cannot stomach the smell of a fragrance candle I had around during chemo and turkey sandwiches are hard for me to eat now because I have an association thing going on. I'm sure it will fade with time :> I hope the chemo is being kind to you and horrible to the cancer! lisa

Shes-So-Weird

Cherry danish, chocolate donuts, butter pecan ice cream . . . . I do throw some fish, brown rice and vegetables in the mix. Obviously chemo has never caused me any nausea. I should care more about what I eat, I know. I have the food pyramid taped to my refrigerator. There's a government web site that lets you type in what you ate in a day and then tells you how you are doing following the pyramid example. Usually it tells me I'm pathetic. One thing my oncology nurse mentioned is that their specialty is the only doctor's office that never asks you to lose weight. I'd guess the thinking is that at some point I my not be able to eat and having a few extra pound to lose would help.

Gentlenatured1

The American Cancer Society has a useful, free publication regarding healthful eating during chemo.

PAMELA

LaGata

My nausea was not chemo induced but cancer induced (When the cancer metastasized.). I lost 30 lbs. in two months. (I was 130 to start.) The diet advice from my doctors was if I can eat it and keep it down, eat as much as I can.

My first "breakthrough" food, something I could eat and keep down, was watermelon! It's taken me six months to put 20 lbs back on, but I sure look better now. But I still can't eat chicken and it used to be my main meat.

The best thing is to experiment a little. If you can imagine that something tastes good, try a little. If you can't imagine that it would taste good, avoid it at any cost. This worked well for me but everyone is different.

CrazyfortheCoast

I agree with the others where watermelon is concerned. I can't seem to get enough watermelon while on treatment. I also have craved banana nut muffins, yogurt and sugar free puddings. I find that most meats are difficult to tolerate. For me it's been a lot of trial and error in finding the right foods that I could tolerate, as well as having nutritional value. If I am battling mouth sores and low appetite I try and at least get some Ensure in me. It will take some time but you'll find what works best for you and your system. There is so much to consider when wrestling this alligator, but you will no doubt get through this round victorious! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

cherub21

I must say I am a bit weird
I loved cheese crackers, smoked oysters, mashed potato, porridge, yogurt, soup and the most important of all good old vegemite on toast. I think I will try watermelon LOL

lauriem

the first few says after chemo I need to stick to bland bland bland...or I get nauseaus. It seems to be balance to keep the constipation balanced with the opposite. My nurse said the anti medics are the consitpation bugger...It does matter what chemo you are on...certain foods are discouraged with certain chemo treatments so you may want to do an internet search with your med names. Also - some foods are not recommended for anyone with weakened immune systems....aged cheeses, deli prepared foods, fresh veggies. .....things that could be contanimated or
'germy'....
That said...I sure seem to be gaining weight through all this...I want blame something and I think steroids wins. When I finally feel better after treatments, I want to eat all the things I can't during the sick times. ....yes, can you tell I am a lover of food? ALso, priolosec - generic, seems to help with heartburn and nausea for me. Laurie

JillAline

Well, whatever you can keep down is good, of course. I'm allergic to watermelon, so that's out.

As far as advice from my naturopath -- eat protein and fiber at every meal. When you're on chemo you should be getting 60 grams of protein a day versus 40 - 50 (I think) for the average woman. Protein helps you build yourself back up.

margaret27217

I'm with Shes-So-Weird, if it wasn't nailed down, I ate it. I had my first chemo 13 years ago, and am getting ready to do it again because of mets. I've lost 20 lbs. during the 2 1/2 years since the mets diagnosis. Probably gonna shoot that wad with steroids. My nurses always told me, if you want it, eat it and I'm sticking to that.

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