10 Foods to Eat During Chemotherapy

1. Oatmeal

Oatmeal provides numerous nutrients that can help your body during chemo.
It boasts ample amounts of carbs, protein, and antioxidants, as well as more healthy fats than most grains. It also helps regulate your bowels
because of its beta glucan, a type of soluble fiber that feeds the good bacteria in your gut (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).
Oatmeal’s neutral flavor and creamy texture are especially advantageous if you’re experiencing common chemo side effects like dry mouth or
mouth sores.
What’s more, you can take overnight oats to your chemo appointments. To make this dish, simply soak oats in a milk of your choice and
refrigerate overnight. In the morning, you can top it with berries, honey, or nuts.
If you’re taking oatmeal on the go, eat it within 2 hours to avoid foodborne illnesses — though you can minimize this risk by keeping it in a cooler
(4).
Fruit, maple syrup, and nuts are common add-ins, though you can also make savory oatmeal with avocado or eggs. Eat it plain or with a dash of
salt if you’re experiencing nausea or mouth sores.

2. Avocado

If your appetite is lacking, avocados can pack necessary calories and nutrients into your diet.
This creamy, green fruit is particularly high in healthy monounsaturated fat, which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising HDL (good)
cholesterol. It’s also loaded with fiber, with 3.5 ounces (100 grams) packing 27% of the Daily Value (DV) (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
Its fiber bulks up your stool and feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut (7Trusted Source).
Because they’re filling, versatile, and mild, avocados are a great option if you’re experiencing dry mouth, constipation, mouth sores, or weight
loss.
You can smash and spread them on toast or slice them to top a bowl of grains, beans, or soup.
Just be sure to wash unpeeled avocados before you slice them, as their skin can harbor Listeria, a common bacterium that can cause food
poisoning (8Trusted Source).

3. Eggs

Fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy.

Eggs may fight tiredness due to their generous supply of protein and fats — nearly 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat in a single medium-
sized egg (44 grams) (9Trusted Source).
While fat provides your body with energy, protein helps maintain and build muscle mass, which is especially important during chemotherapy.
You can hard-boil eggs for a portable snack or scramble them for a scrumptious meal. Make sure that they’re thoroughly cooked, with thickened
yolks and hardened whites, to prevent food poisoning.
Their soft, soothing texture makes eggs ideal if you’re experiencing mouth sores.

4. Broth

Taste changes are normal during chemotherapy — and water is commonly said to taste different.
In these instances, broth is a great alternative to keep you hydrated. It’s made by simmering water with vegetables, herbs, and — if desired —
meat or poultry, plus bones.
During this process, electrolytes are released into the fluid. These charged particles, which include nutrients like sodium, potassium, chloride,
and calcium, help keep your body functioning properly (10Trusted Source).
Sipping on broth can be helpful if you’re losing electrolytes through vomit, sweat, or diarrhea (11Trusted Source).
If you have the appetite for it, you can add chicken, tofu, or veggies into your broth. Puréeing this mixture will help it go down easier if you have
mouth sores.
For added nutrients, especially when you’re experiencing dry mouth or low appetite, you can heap in a spoonful of flavorless protein powder,
such as collagen powder.
However, keep your broth clear and simple if you’re experiencing nausea or vomiting — and sip slowly. Broth is great in these instances, as its
lack of fiber makes it easier to digest (11Trusted Source).

5. Almonds and other nuts

During chemotherapy, you may find yourself in and out of a lot of appointments — so snacks can come in handy.
Not only are nuts like almonds and cashews easy to take on the go, but they also boast ample amounts of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and
minerals (12Trusted Source).
Almonds are a rich source of manganese and copper, providing 27% and 32% of the DV, respectively, per 1 ounce (28 grams) ( 12Trusted
Source).
These minerals form superoxide dismutases, some of the most powerful antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help fight free radicals that
damage your cells (13Trusted Source).
You can also add nuts to oatmeal or other dishes.
However, they may not be easy to eat if you’re experiencing mouth sores. In these instances, choose nut butters instead.
6. Pumpkin seeds

Like nuts, pumpkin seeds are great for snacking on between your appointments.

They’re rich in fats, protein, and antioxidants like vitamin E, which can help fight inflammation ( 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted
Source).
What’s more, they deliver nearly 3 grams of iron per 1/3 cup (33 grams), or about 15% of the DV (14Trusted Source).
However, some treatments, such as blood transfusions, may increase your risk of iron overload, or excess iron in your body. If you develop this
condition, you’ll want to watch your intake of pumpkin seeds and other high-iron foods (14Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).
For a sweet-and-salty twist, make your own trail mix by combining pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and other dried fruits, seeds, and nuts.

7. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables, including kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, boast an impressive nutritional profile (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted
Source, 20Trusted Source).
In particular, broccoli offers a significant amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is vital for your immune system (18Trusted Source).
What’s more, it contains sulforaphane, a plant compound thought to improve brain health.
Research has shown that sulforaphane can positively impact brain health by reducing inflammation and protecting cells from damage, which is
especially important when undergoing chemotherapy (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).
Steam or roast these veggies with olive oil and a dash of salt. If you’re experiencing taste changes, try a squeeze of lemon as long as you don’t
have mouth sores or nausea.

8. Homemade smoothies

\Homemade smoothies are a great option if you’re having a hard time chewing solid food or getting enough nutrients in your diet.

They’re highly customizable, allowing you to choose the best ingredients for your symptoms or taste changes.
Here’s a basic smoothie formula:
 1–2 cups (240–475 ml) of liquid
 1.5–3 cups (225–450 grams) of veggies and/or fruit
 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of protein
 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of fat
For instance, combine fresh or frozen fruit with milk or kefir, then toss in a handful or two of washed spinach leaves. Dump in a spoonful of flax
seeds for fat and peanut butter for protein.
If you’re using fresh berries, be sure to soak them before rinsing thoroughly in running water. This will help remove any debris or bacteria that
could make you sick (25Trusted Source).
You can also squeeze in a bit of lemon or lime to brighten up the flavors.

9. Bread or crackers

If you’re experiencing diarrhea or nausea, white bread or crackers are a good choice because they’re typically easy to digest.  Whole-grain
versions, which supply added nutrients, are ideal for when your stomach is not upset.
Salted crackers or saltines are especially useful to replenish sodium lost through diarrhea or vomiting (26Trusted Source).
Eat them plain or top with nut butter, smashed avocado, or ricotta cheese if you desire more flavor and nutrients.

10. Fish

If you enjoy seafood, it’s a good idea to eat two servings of fish per week when you’re in chemotherapy. That’s because it provides protein and
omega-3 fatty acids (27Trusted Source).
Omega-3s are important fats that you must get through your diet. They support brain health and boast anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, eating
plenty of protein and healthy fat-rich foods like fish can help you avoid unhealthy weight loss during treatment ( 27Trusted Source, 28Trusted
Source, 29Trusted Source).
Salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, and sardines are particularly high in these fats.
What’s more fattier fish like salmon and herring are a rich source of vitamin D, which is necessary for proper bone and immune health. In fact, a
small salmon filet (170 grams) provides 113% of the DV (30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).
Steam, pan-fry, or roast your fish with a squeeze of lemon. Use a meat thermometer to be sure it reaches an internal temperature of at least
145°F (63°C) — or 165°F (74°C) if you’re reheating it (25Trusted Source, 34).