Getting enough calories

Getting proper nutrition keeps your body fueled. When it comes to nutrition during cancer treatment, the most important thing is to make sure you get the calories and protein you need to keep your body strong throughout your treatment.^1,2 Maintaining weight during treatment is critical and eating well can improve the effectiveness of your treatments, which can lead to better outcomes.

The Rogel Cancer Center notes that too much weight loss can slow down/delay treatment. But side effects of treatment, including loss of appetite, can make it challenging to get the calories your body needs. This is particularly true for patients with oral, throat, or other types of head and neck cancers. For these patients, the cancer itself, as well as treatment, changes the ability and desire to eat. 

Chemoradiation treatment often has side effects that impact appetite and how foods taste. It’s also important to understand that cancer changes the way the body uses food for energy. If you think of food as the fuel your body needs to function, the importance of eating becomes clear.³

Lack of appetite can make getting enough calories difficult. During treatment, what tastes good to you today may not taste good tomorrow. On some days, you may feel like you just can’t eat anything at all. The Mayo Clinic has recommendations on how to get the calories your body needs; see below.⁴

Getting enough protein

Every person’s individual protein needs are different. Your needs depend on factors including age, gender, weight, activity, and even type of cancer or treatment.

Chances are, getting enough protein will be a high priority during your cancer journey. You may have heard about a condition called hypermetabolism that may be related to your cancer diagnosis or treatment. Hypermetabolism affects how the body uses food, and may require you to increase your calorie or protein intake.⁵

If increasing your protein intake sounds difficult, keep in mind that there are many foods that contain protein. In addition to meat and dairy products, peas, almonds, oats, beans, legumes, and even vegetables like broccoli and kale contain protein. This is important because some people on chemotherapy may not tolerate some foods high in protein or may not find them appealing.⁶ Work with your registered dietitian to make a plan and choose the foods that you like!

Plant-based foods and phytonutrients

Whether you already eat a plant-based diet, or you want to switch to plant-based eating during treatment, you should work with a registered dietitian to ensure that your eating plan meets your individual needs.

Nutrient-dense plants provide a variety of nutrients to support health and recovery. For people in cancer treatment, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and hydration support positive treatment outcomes and side effect management.

The reason plant-based foods are so powerful is in large part due to the phytonutrients found in plants. Phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals) are chemical compounds that give plants their bright color and are packed with antioxidants.

Phytochemicals and the compounds that form from them seem to act in a variety of ways to protect health. Some can increase cancer cells’ tendency to self-destruct; others may stop carcinogens before they have a chance to begin the process of cancer development. They may also block the development of new blood vessels tumors need. Some fight inflammation.⁷

Liquid nutrition

Despite your best efforts, you may still struggle with malnutrition – but you won’t be alone. Up to 85% of cancer patients suffer from malnutrition at some point during their cancer treatment. Malnutrition occurs when your body doesn’t get or can’t absorb the nutrients it needs – patients with malnutrition could notice symptoms like a decrease in activity or energy and losing more than 1 to 2 pounds a week⁸.

So, what types of foods should a patient with malnutrition eat? Whatever they can! Eat whatever sounds good to you, but if you can, look for foods that are not only high in calories but also high in nutrients (vitamins & minerals). Liquid nutrition in the form of smoothies and protein drinks can be another good way to get your calories and nutrients, if you have trouble eating enough solid food.

Your registered dietitian can help you determine if supplements like Kate Farms can help you get the nutrition you need.