Healthy eating tips during chemotherapy

Hints and tips
eating and drinking
- appetite is likely to fluctate wildly, so embrace any occasion when patients want to eat, even if it's the middle of the night!
- some people will eat better at certain times of the day, so try to find out the optimum times for them.
- the sight of big portions can be nauseating, so small portions are recommended- and not just for patients, but for those eating with them too. If a patient's appetite increases, you can always enlarge the portions (simply multiply the quantities by 2 or 3), or serve seconds.

- to make food taste better, patients can try rinsing their mouth with water before eating, or brushing their tongue lightly with a wet toothbrush.
- try to eat slowly and chew well to help digestion.
- important to keep the body's fluid level up, so keep sipping water or green tea whatever your symptoms. Try to avoid drinking at the same time as eating.

- if you suffer from nausea or vomiting, avoid cooking smells. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and keep your head upright after eating.
- conventional knives and forks may leave an unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth. Using plastic knives and forks is a good solution.
- anaesthetic sprays are now available for patients to use in the mouth and throat to enable them to eat more easily.
- keep healthy snacks close at hand for nibbling when required.

in hospital
- eat a very light meal before your treatment, or take a snack with you to eat while travelling to hospital if the journey is long.
- recommended that you drink water both before and during chemotherapy. Keep this up for a couple of days after treatment to flush the chemicals through. Aim to drink between 8 and 10 glasses per day. Green tea is also excellent.
- avoid eating directly after treatment for a few hours.