Nutrition during treatment

The general rule

During active treatment, keeping weight and muscle on is the goal. Full-fat, energy-dense, frequent and whatever you can actually face beats a theoretically perfect diet you cannot eat.

Symptom-first thinking

• Nausea → cold, dry, bland foods; eat away from cooking smells.
• Sore mouth → soft, moist, cool; avoid acidic and spicy.
• Taste change → stronger seasoning, marinades, plastic cutlery for a metallic taste.
• Early fullness → small frequent meals; drink between rather than with meals.
• Diarrhoea → fluids with salt and sugar; low-fibre until it settles.
• Constipation → fluids, gentle movement, and laxatives if prescribed — do not just add bran.

Food safety when immunity is low

• Cook meat, fish and eggs thoroughly.
• Avoid unpasteurised dairy and soft mould-ripened cheeses.
• Wash produce well; peel where possible.
• Keep the fridge below 5°C and reheat leftovers once, until steaming.