People with cancer have different diet needs, Eating Well, and Eating Problems

People with cancer often need to follow diets that are different from what they think of as healthy. For most people, a healthy diet includes:

• Lots of fruits and vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals
• Modest amounts of meat and milk products
• Small amounts of fat, sugar, alcohol, and salt

When you have cancer, though, you need to eat to keep up your strength to deal with the side effects of treatment. When you are healthy, eating enough food is often not a problem. But when you are dealing with cancer and treatment, this can be a real challenge.
When you have cancer, you may need extra protein and calories. At times, your diet may need to include extra milk, cheese, and eggs. If you have trouble chewing and swallowing, you may need to add sauces and gravies. Sometimes, you may need to eat low-fiber foods instead of those with high fiber. Your dietitian can help you with any diet changes you may need to make.