Nutrition

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Avoid foods associated with foodborne illness. In addition to undercooked meat, these foods include:

• Unpasteurized beverages, such as unpasteurized juice or raw milk
• Soft mold-ripened and blue-veined cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola and blue or other soft, unpasteurized cheeses
• Raw sprouts, such as alfalfa sprouts
• Well water, unless tested, filtered or boiled for 1 minute before drinking or boiled for 3 minutes before drinking in altitudes of about 2,000 meters (about 6,562 feet).
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Store food safely.  

• Always store food within 1 hour of purchasing or cooking or as soon as possible.
• Label food (use a marker or pen) with a “use by” date if the packaging does not have an expiration date.
• Put foods with the soonest expiration date at the front of the fridge or shelves so that you are more likely to use them.
• Discard leftovers or open packages within 1 to 4 days. If you are unsure if something is safe to eat, remember, when in doubt, throw it out.

Be careful when eating at restaurants and shopping for food.

• Buy only from trusted vendors with high grades in health department inspections.
• Avoid buying food from street vendors.
• Do not eat free food samples when shopping.
• Do not choose restaurants with buffets when eating out. If you are at a party, ask if your loved one can go through the buffet line first.
• At restaurants, ask for meat to be prepared well-done.
• If taking home leftovers, ask to bag the food yourself and make sure to refrigerate the leftovers quickly.

Food preparation tips

Fatigue, sensitivity to odors, and other side effects may make food preparation difficult for your loved one. As a caregiver, assisting with changes to food choices and food preparation can be a good way to help your loved one manage side effects.

Here are some tips to make food preparation easier and help your loved one to manage some of the side effects of treatment.

• Prepare small, frequent meals throughout the day.
• Ask for requests.
• Prepare food by baking, slow-cooking, grilling, or broiling to limit fat.
• Eliminate problem foods that make the patient’s side effects worse.
• Adjust spices to combat changes in taste and smell.
• Use plastic utensils if your loved one complains of a metallic taste.
• Keep aromas to a minimum by using fans or preparing cold meals.
• Use cups with lids and straws.
• Plan meals in advance and friends and family for assistance.
• Choose food and drinks carefully if your loved one experiences diarrhea.
• Avoid high-fiber, spicy, fried, and high-fat foods.
• Choose white rice, applesauce, cooked vegetables, and low-fat meat and dairy instead.
• Encourage your loved one to stay hydrated by sipping on water between meals.
• Use pictures of food to stimulate appetite if your loved one doesn’t want to eat.
• Be social during mealtimes to make eating more pleasant.
• Stay sitting up after meals to reduce heartburn and reflux.

Grocery shopping tips

A trip to the grocery store may be a tiring event for someone with cancer. Some patients may need a little help, such as a ride to the store or help carrying heavy items. For others with limited stamina and immunity, grocery shopping may not be possible. Here is where a caregiver, friends, relatives, and neighbors can really provide help. These following grocery shopping tips will make the trip easier.

• Shop with a list to stay in budget and to avoid extra trips to the store.
• Shop early in the day to avoid crowds and warmer weather that may make food spoil.
• Bring a cooler for refrigerated or frozen foods to keep foods at a safe temperature.
• Check all expiration dates, and check packaging for damages before purchasing.
• Read the label to check for any ingredients that do not fit within your loved one’s dietary restrictions.
• Grab cold foods last when shopping to keep them at a safe temperature longer.
• Use coupons from newspapers or online to save money.
• Save the receipt for budgeting purposes.
• Research food delivery and pick up services available in your area to save time.

​ See the following worksheets:

• Worksheet 11: Grocery List
• Worksheet 13: Food Intake and Side-Effect Log
• Worksheet 14: Meal Planning

​ Download the booklet: Nutrition (PDF).

One-on-one nutrition consultations

Patients and caregivers may receive free one-on-one phone and email consultations with a registered dietitian with expertise in oncology nutrition. If you'd like more information, get more information.

Schedule

PearlPoint Nutrition Services® is offered by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for information purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for the advice of your healthcare team or provide medical diagnosis, treatment or therapy. Please seek the advice of your healthcare team before making any changes to your medical plan, diet or physical activity.

For more nutrition resources, tips, and recipes, visit PearlPoint Nutrition Services®.

Related Links

• Food and Nutrition
• Cancer Drug Therapy and Nutrition
• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Healthy Eating
• Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
• Download or order free booklets from Blood Cancer United:
  • Food and Nutrition Facts
  • Nutrition Handbook (PDF)

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