We should all try to eat a wide variety of different foods to make sure we get all the nutrition our body needs. When you have cancer, you may need more nourishment from food but you may not feel like eating. It is not uncommon for people to lose weight before they are diagnosed or as a result of treatment.
Many people find that their appetite changes, either due to their disease or as a result of their treatment or medication. These may be short-term or long-term changes depending on your treatment and health. If you are already following a diet for particular health reasons or are worried, you may wish to discuss this with a dietitian. Please ask the staff caring for you to arrange an appointment.
Tips for eating
- Don't feel you need to eat three meals a day. Many people find it easier to 'graze' and eat lots of small snacks throughout the day
- Try to eat when your appetite is at its best; for many patients this is in the morning, but you may prefer to eat at another time in the day
- Big plates of food can be off-putting; a smaller plate can seem more manageable and you can always have another helping if you still feel hungry
- Choose foods that you find easy to eat – many people find soft foods like puddings are easier to eat than foods that require chewing such as meat
- Choose full fat foods wherever possible as they are an easy way of upping your calorie intake - these may be labelled as ‘luxury’ or ‘thick and creamy’ rather than 'light' or 'low fat'.
Foods to avoid
When you are ill or having treatment you are more at risk of getting food poisoning. It is best to avoid the following foods:
- Raw or lightly cooked eggs
- Soft, ripened cheese such as Brie and Camembert
- Blue-veined cheese such as Stilton
- Pâté.
If you are not eating well or have lost weight, you may need to include high-energy or nutritional supplements in your diet. A wide range of products are available, from nourishing drinks available over the counter to those that are available on prescription. These will help you maintain a good nutritional intake. Your dietitian will advise you on what supplements are right for you.
If you are having trouble eating for a specific reason or wish to be referred to a dietitian, please talk to the staff caring for you. The Royal Marsden also publishes an information book 'Eating well when you have cancer' which contains more advice and can be downloaded from this site.