Some cancer treatments can put stress on your body. Radiation is a common treatment for cancer that may affect your digestive tract. To combat some of the side effects of this treatment, your doctor may put you on a bland diet, specially designed to be easy on your gastrointestinal system.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses beams of high-energy X-rays or particles. Typically, however, the term "radiation therapy" refers to external beam radiation that comes from a machine that aims the beams to the precise cancer site. These beams can damage cancer cells that are rapidly dividing. The goal of radiation therapy is to target and destroy cancer cells, while destroying as few normal, healthy cells as possible.
Radiation Side Effects
Sometimes radiation therapy can causes nausea and/or vomiting, especially when the radiation is delivered to the abdominal area. You may also experience anticipatory nausea before your treatment. Radiation treatment to the abdominal area can also cause diarrhea, which usually begins in the third or fourth week of treatment. Additionally, radiation therapy or the cancer itself can cause a change in taste. Foods that used to taste or smell good to you, can taste strange or even cause stomach upset. To obtain adequate nutrition, a bland diet is often the solution until your treatment is complete and your digestive system returns to normal.
Bland Diet
A bland diet typically consists of foods that are soft, low in fiber and are not spicy, as spices can irritate your digestive tract. Bland diets may help prevent some of the digestive and gastrointestinal problems associated with radiation therapy. Foods to eat on a bland diet include cooked, canned or frozen vegetables, foods made with refined flour, eggs, lean and tender meats, broth, fruit and vegetable juices, creamy peanut butter and custard. You should avoid fatty dairy foods, strong cheeses, gassy vegetables, fried foods and highly seasoned cured or smoked meats and fish. You should eat small meals, more often during the day.
Sore Mouth or Throat
Radiation therapy that is delivered to the head and neck area may cause mucositis, which is the inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the mouth and throat. Patients with mucositis should also follow a bland diet, particularly avoiding all foods that irritate the mouth, such as citrus fruits and foods that are spicy, salty, rough, coarse, or dry. Mixing food with butter, thin gravies, or sauces can make it easier to swallow.
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