Cancer

Improve recovery from treatments, help prevent recurrence, and improve drug effectiveness

Recommended For

Cancer, Any, Cancer, Breast, Cancer, Chemo, Cancer, Colorectal, Cancer, Esophageal, Cancer, Leukemia, Cancer, Lung, Cancer, Lymphoma, Cancer, Prostate, Cancer, Skin, Cancer, Stomach, Cancer, Uterine, Leukemia, Lymphoma.

Diet Goals

Maintain weight, strength, immune system

  • Maintain healthy weight; nutrient rich foods
  • Food safety for weakened immune system
  • Dietary supplements unproven; get nutrients from food
You basically have 3 nutrition goals with cancer treatment: Energy to recover, nutrients to heal, and calories to prevent unintended weight loss.

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Fruits, Vegetables: Berries, avocado, leafy greens, carrots
Whole grains: Whole wheat bread & pasta, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, brown rice
Beans, Legumes: Lentils, soy, black beans, peas, chickpeas
Lean proteins: Poultry, white fish, low fat yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, tofu, beans
High fiber foods: Lentils, chia seeds, whole grains, popcorn
Low fat dairy: Skim, 1% milk, yogurt, cheeses, buttermilk

Foods to Avoid

Red meat: Beef, lamb, pork, goat, veal, mutton
High sodium: Deli meat, soup, cheese, pizza, salty nuts & snacks
High fat: Red meat, fried foods, full fat dairy, oils
Saturated fats: Beef, lamb, pork, full fat dairy, butter, pastry, pie, biscuits
Foodborne illness: Unpasteurized juices, dairy products; raw or under cooked meat
High sugar: Fruit yogurt, granola, energy bars; raisins, ketchup, pasta sauce

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

Studies show 30-40% of cancers are estimated to be preventable by a healthy diet, adequate physical activity, maintaining normal body weight.
Nutrition can help cancer patients maintain strength, healthy body tissue & normal weight; can enhance treatments, decrease side effects.
Research suggests that exercise is safe during cancer treatment; even minimal activity can improve fatigue, anxiety; helps heart, muscles, strength.

Caveats

Nutrition can affect the survival of patients during and after treatments; nutritional deficiencies linked to poor prognosis.
Chemo can weaken immune system; avoid unpasteurized honey, milk, juice; raw or undercooked meat.
After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, extra protein can be useful to heal tissues, fight infection.
Do NOT take dietary supplements to prevent or treat cancer; can increase risk, interfere with cancer treatment.