How do I make the best food choices throughout cancer treatment?

When you are faced with a lung cancer diagnosis, nutrition can be an important part of your journey. Eating a well-balanced diet during and after cancer treatment can help you feel better, maintain your strength, and speed your recovery.

Maintain a healthy weight. Unintentional weight loss is a common during lung cancer. This can be due to lung cancer treatments or the cancer itself. Monitor your weight closely. If you are losing more than 1-2 pounds per week consistently, discuss with your healthcare team on how you can increase your calorie intake.

Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Eating frequent small meals will ensure your body is getting enough calories, protein, and nutrients to tolerate treatment. Smaller meals may also help to reduce treatment-related side effects such as nausea. Try eating 5-6 small meals or “mini” meals about every three hours.

Choose protein-rich foods. Protein helps the body to repair cells and tissues. It also helps your immune system recover from illness. Include a source of lean protein at all meals and snacks. Good sources of lean protein include:

  • Lean meats such as chicken, fish, or turkey
  • Eggs
  • Low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese or dairy substitutes
  • Nuts and nut butters
  • Beans
  • Soy foods

Include whole grains. Whole grains provide a good source of carbohydrate and fiber, which help keep your energy levels up. Good sources of whole grains include:

  • Oatmeal
  • Whole wheat breads
  • Brown rice
  • Whole grain pastas

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables offer the body antioxidants, which can help fight against cancer. Choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to get the greatest benefit. Aim to eat a minimum of 5 servings of whole fruits and vegetables daily.

Choose sources of healthy fat. Avoid fried, greasy, and fatty foods. Choose baked, broiled, or grilled foods instead. Healthy fats include:

  • Olive oil
  • Avocados
  • Nuts
  • Seeds

Limit sweets and added sugars. Foods high in added sugars like desserts and sweets provide little nutritional benefit and often take the place of other foods that are better for you.

Stay hydrated. Drinking enough fluids during cancer treatment is important for preventing dehydration. Aim to drink 64 ounces of fluid daily. Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages. Too much caffeine can lead to dehydration.

Use good mouth care. Chemotherapy and radiation to the head or chest can irritate the lining of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. This irritation can make eating and swallowing difficult. Good mouth care is very important if you have mouth soreness. Brush your teeth with gentle toothpaste after eating and floss daily.

Practice good food safety. Wash your hands often while preparing food. Use different knives and cutting boards for raw meat and raw vegetables. Be sure to cook all foods to their proper temperature and refrigerate leftovers right away. Cancer and cancer treatment weaken the immune system, making food safety very important to protect against illness and infection. Read more about Food Safety.

Talk to your healthcare team before taking any vitamins or supplements. Some medications and cancer treatments may interact with vitamins and supplements. Choose food first as the main source for nutrients.

Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Alcohol may contribute to dehydration, can lower the abilities of your immune system, and provides no beneficial nutrients.

If your treatment includes surgery, follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully. Read our Nutrition and Surgery Guidelines to learn more.

Most importantly, know that your cancer journey is unique to you and your treatment. You may experience side effects that affect your ability to follow these suggestions. If you are struggling with any side effects, such as loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or any other nutrition concerns, your needs may be different. Schedule a time to talk to PearlPoint’s registered dietitian.

Recommended Resources for Lung Cancer

  • Lung Cancer Alliance
    Website: http://lungcanceralliance.org
    Phone: (800) 298-2436
    The Lung Cancer Alliance serves and listens to those living with and at risk for lung cancer to reduce stigma, improve quality of life, and increase survival. On their website, you can find information about lung cancer and treatment. The Lung Cancer Alliance also offers support groups and a peer-to-peer support program.
  • LUNGevity Foundation
    Website: www.lungevity.org
    Phone: (844) 360-5864
    LUNGevity is a lung cancer-focused nonprofit dedicated to changing the outcomes for people with lung cancer through research, education, and support. They offer education about lung cancer and treatment and an online support community.

For more resources, visit PearlPoint’s Recommended Resources page.