Eating well can help at every stage of a cancer experience. But cancer affects everyone differently – some people find their eating habits unchanged, while others face more challenges. These changes can often depend on the type of cancer you have, treatments, and how your emotions might affect your appetite.
While the experience varies, the goal is the same – to eat well and keep your body nourished during cancer treatment and recovery. Whether you’re facing cancer or you’re a caregiver, we’re here to share helpful information and tips. But always remember: it’s OK if your eating habits aren’t perfect during treatment.
Nutrition and cancer
Cancer treatment can cause short-term changes in appetite such as changes in hunger levels and taste, or feeling full quickly. But the good news is that these changes don’t last long.
It can be helpful to remember that even when it’s hard, eating well while facing cancer can:
- Keep your energy up
- Keep your body strong
- Make sure you get the nutrients your body needs
- Help you manage side effects
- Help you recover after treatment
- Reduce your risk of infection
Planning nutritious meals
Canada’s Food Guide tells us to create meals from vegetables, fruit, whole grains and proteins to help get the nutrients we need. Follow their simple guidelines:
- Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit.
- Fill a quarter of your plate with whole grains.
- Fill a quarter of your plate with foods that contain protein.
What’s not the on the plate? You may notice that healthy plate proportions do not include highly processed foods. That doesn’t mean you can’t have any – just eat them less often and in small amounts. Examples of highly processed foods include sugary drinks, chocolate, candy, ice cream, fast food and baked goods.
Make meals simpler
Sometimes cooking might seem like too much effort when facing cancer, so try following these steps to make meals simple:- Have easy-to-prepare foods available. Fill your fridge, cupboards and freezer with healthy foods you can eat any time and require minimal prep. Try things like whole grain bread and crackers, canned beans, canned fish, breakfast cereals, frozen vegetables, frozen fruit, ready-to-eat soups and nut butters.
- Cook and freeze meals ahead of time. On days you’re feeling well or have more time, pick your favourite meal that freezes well, prepare it in advance and freeze it in meal-size portions. Soups, stews, lentil dal, casseroles, rice and beans and pastas are some great options.
- Get meals delivered. Many online companies and grocery stores offer meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients so you can skip the prep and just cook. Grocery stores, Meals on Wheels and take-out from your favourite restaurant are other good options.
- Ask for and accept help. Your friends and family may have offered help, so remember to reach out. Ask for support in grocery shopping, stocking your cupboards, fresh food deliveries, food preparation like washing and chopping, bringing food or help preparing food in batches.
10-minute meal ideas
Try these meals when you don’t have a lot of time or energy:
- Scrambled eggs, toast and tomato
- Oatmeal, berries and nut butter
- Cereal, milk and banana
- Greek yogurt, granola and berries
- Congee, chicken and ginger
- Tuna, crackers and sliced peppers
- Pita, hummus and carrot sticks
- Broth with noodles, tofu and greens
- Tortilla, corn and beans
- Bread, cheese or turkey and vegetable toppings
- Rice, beans and chopped tomato
Bagged lettuce, canned salmon and bread
Managing eating-related side effects
Treatment can cause changes in appetite, but most changes and side effects are short-term and will usually stop during or after treatment.
Explore our cancer information pages to learn more about cancer and cancer treatment side effects.
Some of the most common side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatment are weight loss and low appetite. If you find your appetite is low, these tips may be helpful:
- Keep mealtimes flexible. Eat when you’re hungry - whenever and whatever you want.
- Try not to skip meals. Even if it’s only a few bites, try to eat something every 1 to 2 hours.
- Eat well when your energy level is highest. Maybe you feel better in the morning and can eat a large breakfast, or perhaps bigger nighttime dinners will work better for you.
- Try some light exercise. Increased activity and fresh air can help boost your appetite, so try going for a short walk outside.
- If you smoke, try to cut down as much as possible. Smoking can reduce your appetite. Ask your doctor for support if you want to stop smoking.
- Get enough calories. Add high-calorie ingredients to meals and snacks such as avocado, nuts and seeds, nut butters, milk, yogurt, cream and cheese.
What you need to know about food safety
7 questions and answers about food safety
Question: How long can I store cooked foods in the fridge?
Answer: Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Question: Can I eat foods with a bit of mould if I scrape it off?
Answer: No. Do not eat foods with signs of mould.
Question: Do I need to rinse my chicken before I cook it?
Answer: No. Rinsing can leave bacteria in the sink and countertops. It’s better to cook it without rinsing.
Question: Do I need to wash vegetables and fruit with vinegar, baking soda or a special spray?
Answer: No. Wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly under running water. If they have rough surfaces (like cantaloupe), scrub them before cutting.
Question: What’s the best way to thaw frozen meat?
Answer: Thaw meat, poultry and seafood in the fridge or defrost them in the microwave. Do not leave them sitting on the counter to thaw.
Question: Is it OK to eat runny or soft-boiled eggs?
Answer: No. Eggs should be cooked hard, not runny. Enjoy hard-boiled eggs, omelettes, quiche, frittata or well-cooked scrambled eggs.
Question: Can I eat bruised fruit?
Answer: You should cut away the bruised or damaged areas. Bacteria can thrive in these places.
Finding nutrition information you can trust
When looking for nutrition information you can trust talk to your doctor and healthcare team and use reputable sources.
You can find accurate cancer information and resources about living with cancer on cancer.ca. You can also connect with a Cancer Information Specialist if you have any questions.
How the Canadian Cancer Society can help
Did you know you can order this resource, and others like it, in print through our Cancer Information Helpline? You can also find all our publications on our resources page with information, services and support.
- Call our Cancer Information Helpline at 1-888-939-3333 for any cancer-related questions or information, and to request printed resources.
- Our online community, CancerConnection.ca, is a great place to connect with people who have been through similar experiences.
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If you’re looking for support services in your area, our Community Services Locator can help.