Your most important nutritional goals as a cancer patient are to maintain your weight, resist infections and promote tissue repair, says the National Cancer Institute, or NCI. To meet these goals and improve the outcomes of cancer treatment, you may need more nutrients and calories than you consumed before your diagnosis. Because cancer treatments and the metabolic effects of the disease may diminish your appetite, the NCI recommends high-protein, calorie-dense foods that are appealing and easy to digest.
Omelets
Even if you've always included meat in your diet, you may find yourself gravitating toward meals based on non-meat proteins such as eggs, cheese or tofu. An omelet prepared with mozzarella or cheddar cheese and finely chopped vegetables makes a calorie-dense, nutrient-rich meal. The American Society for Clinical Oncology advises using cheeses made with pasteurized milk to avoid food-borne illness.
Mildly Spicy Vegetarian Dishes
The NCI suggests that sweet spices, such as cardamom or turmeric, may tempt your palate when your appetite wanes. Chemotherapy may dull or alter your sense of taste, reducing your pleasure in foods you've enjoyed. Exploring mild versions of exotic dishes may renew your interest in dining. Because the NCI recommends substituting poultry, soy products or dairy products for red meats, you may want to try mildly spicy Indian or Thai entrees made with tofu or cheese.
Fruit or Vegetable Smoothies
If you're undergoing radiation treatments to your head and neck, you may have difficulty swallowing or chewing. Radiation to the chest can irritate the esophagus, making swallowing painful. Chemotherapy may cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Smoothies made with fruits, vegetables and milk, yogurt or ice cream can be refreshing and easy to digest. Use whole-fat dairy products for protein, fat and calcium. Choose mild fruits such as bananas or apricots that are rich in immunity-boosting vitamins and minerals. Avoid acidic fruits such as oranges and pineapple if your oral tissues are dry or inflamed. If antibiotics or other medications have left you temporarily lactose intolerant, you can substitute fortified soy milk or soft tofu for dairy products. A scoop of protein powder will boost nutritional content.
Bran Muffins and Fruit Breads
If you're able to chew and swallow without difficulty, bran muffins and fruit breads offer fiber, carbohydrates and fats. The fiber in these foods may relieve constipation caused by narcotic pain medications, cancer medications or dehydration. Choose muffins made with raisins or other dried fruits for iron and extra fiber.
Finger Foods
If you can't tolerate a full meal, a choice of finger foods may pique your appetite. Deviled eggs, cheese-and-avocado quesadillas, chicken nuggets and other calorie-dense snacks may appeal to you when you've been suffering from nausea or have a poor appetite. The NCI recommends saving heavier meals for the days when you don't have treatments to avoid overloading your digestive system. Eating light meals or snacks every one to two hours can help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Clear Foods and Beverages
If solid foods and regular drinks become intolerable, try clear broths, bouillon, gelatin or Popsicles until nausea subsides. Sports drinks and clear nutritional supplements can help you keep up your electrolyte requirements. Pulp-free fruit juices such as apple, grape or cranberry juice provide vitamins and antioxidant phytochemicals.
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