Therapeutic diet
Cancer treatment nutrition plan
Maintain weight, muscle and strength through active treatment.
ChemotherapyRadiotherapyImmunotherapyCancer surgery
Principles
- Prioritise energy and protein over dietary purity
- Work around the symptom that is blocking eating today
- Eat by the clock; appetite is not a reliable guide during treatment
- Food safety matters when immunity is low
Include
- Soft moist protein-rich meals
- Cold foods when smells trigger nausea
- Smoothies and shakes when chewing is hard
- Bland starches on bad days: rice, toast, potatoes, crackers
Avoid or limit
- Unpasteurised dairy, raw eggs, undercooked meat when neutropenic
- Grapefruit and unchecked herbal supplements
- Restrictive 'anti-cancer' diets that cause weight loss
- Very spicy or acidic food with mouth ulcers
A sample day
- BreakfastFortified porridge or scrambled egg
- Mid-morningMilkshake
- LunchCreamy chicken soup with soft bread
- AfternoonYoghurt or custard
- DinnerFish pie with soft vegetables
- EveningIce cream or milky drink
Cautions
- · Ask the oncology team before any fasting protocol or high-dose supplement.
- · Report weight loss of 5% or more promptly rather than at the next routine appointment.
Recipes that fit
Afya Companion offers education and self-help support. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from your doctor, nurse, psychologist or dietitian. If something in your health changes, speak to your care team.