The goal of chemotherapy is to cure the cancer, keep it from spreading or slow its growth. To achieve these goals, the medication must kill fast-growing cells -- including healthy ones in other areas of your body, such as your gastrointestinal system. Chemotherapy can affect your ability to taste, reduce your appetite, make it difficult to swallow, and cause nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. It is important to maintain good nutrition during therapy to reduce the potential for infection and improve your overall health.
Breakfast
Chemotherapy and cancer change your dietary requirements. You may require extra protein and calories. You should begin with a healthy breakfast to set the tone for the day. According to Chemocare.com, it is important to get at least one-third of your daily calorie and protein needs at breakfast. You may find that refrigerated or room temperature foods are easier to eat. Hard-boiled eggs and soft toast will provide you with protein at room temperature.
Lunch
Although fluids are important to maintain your level of hydration, you should avoid them at mealtime, advises MayoClinic.com. Fluids can fill you up and limit higher-calorie food intake. Pay attention to the smells of the meals you are preparing, because some scents can decrease your appetite. Plan your meals ahead of time and schedule your mealtimes. At lunch you should avoid hot and spicy foods, high-fiber foods, fatty or fried foods and rich desserts, recommends Chemocare.com. This will help to reduce the side effects of diarrhea and nausea. High-calorie foods for lunch include casseroles, fortified milkshakes, peanut butter sandwiches, turkey sandwiches or tuna, egg or ham salads.
Dinner
Dinner should follow the same pattern as lunch. To reduce nausea from strong smells, foods should be served cold or at room temperature. Regular exercise during the day may stimulate your appetite in the evening. Chemocare.com recommends incorporating low-fiber or soluble-fiber options into your evening meals when you suffer from diarrhea, such as skinless, boneless chicken or turkey, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, white bread, bananas and applesauce. If constipation is a problem because of medications, you can increase fiber intake by adding fruits and vegetables to your meals and drinking plenty of fluids between meals.
Snacks
Keep high-calorie snacks nearby so that you can munch when you are hungry. Try cheese, frozen yogurt, pretzels, soups, smoothies, peanuts, milkshakes, ice cream and quesadillas as high-calorie snacks. To increase calories and protein even more, MayoClinic.com recommends adding powdered creamer or dry milk powder to dairy products, gravies, sauces, soups and puddings. Fruit canned in heavy syrup, high-protein milkshakes and peanut butter sandwiches will increase your calorie intake during the day.
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