Cancer and cancer treatment can affect your ability to digest nutritious foods. Finding foods you can swallow and digest easily, especially while you're undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, may be a trial-and-error process. For many people with cancer bland, starchy foods are easier to tolerate than spicy or fatty foods. Consuming as many calories as you can, particularly from foods that offer protein and other essential nutrients, is vital for preventing malnutrition and lean tissue loss.
Digestive Difficulties
Cancer can alter your metabolism and interfere with your body's ability to break down fats, carbohydrates and protein. The side effects of radiation or chemotherapy may interfere with chewing or swallowing and cause nausea and vomiting. You may find that your appetite or your sense of taste has changed. Eating fatty or spicy foods may give you nausea or diarrhea. Radiation to your abdominal area or antibiotic therapy may cause lactose intolerance, which can prevent you from digesting dairy foods. Pain, depression or anxiety may also dull your appetite and make eating difficult.
Alternatives
Bland, starchy foods such as bread, cookies, soft noodles, potatoes or creamy hot cereals may be easier to digest than spicy, fatty or high-fiber foods. Starchy vegetables and legumes such as corn, dried beans and peas offer calories and energy-producing carbohydrates. Vegetable or meat soups and broths are easy to swallow and rich in nutrients. Eggs, skinless chicken and lean white fish add complete proteins to your diet and may be easier for your digestive system to tolerate than red meat. Low-fiber foods, such as canned fruits and vegetables, bananas, white rice, pretzels and crackers may reduce diarrhea and nausea. If you have lactose intolerance, try replacing dairy products with soy, rice or low-lactose equivalents.
Malnutrition and Tissue Loss
Digestive difficulties during cancer can increase your risk of malnutrition and muscle wasting. Protein provides the major structural material for muscles and other tissues. The metabolic changes of cancer and the effects of the disease on your body can cause lean tissue loss. If you have an aversion to fats, MedlinePlus recommends that you eat egg whites, low-fat or nonfat meats, milk and cottage cheese to meet your increased requirements for protein. To maintain your intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber try fresh fruit and vegetable juices, pureed fruits and vegetables, or dried fruit softened in warm water.
Eating Tips
Eating five or six small meals and limiting fluids during meals may aid digestion and prevent uncomfortable feelings of fullness. To increase protein, calories and healthy fats in your diet, blend wheat germ, protein powder, powdered milk or extra eggs into moist, bland foods such as yogurt, macaroni and cheese or hot cereal. If you're able to digest fats, add peanut butter to cereals or smoothies, or eat avocados, eggs and soft cheeses. Soft, cool foods like ice cream and yogurt may appeal to you if you have mouth or throat pain. If you're having trouble eating solid foods, ask your health-care provider to recommend liquid or powdered meal replacements that will boost your nutritional intake.
