Nutrition and cancer

It’s important to eat well before, during and after treatment for cancer, but it’s not always easy. In this section, you’ll find practical tips and suggestions for managing common eating problems.

Nutrition for people living with cancer book

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The importance of eating well

Learn why eating well is important for your overall health and how to adapt what you eat after a cancer diagnosis.

Key questions

Find answers to common questions such as what is the link between food and cancer, should you avoid alcohol, and is organic food better?

For your community

Treatment side effects and nutrition

Explore our tips for coping with common treatment side effects, such as loss of appetite, taste and smell changes, swallowing problems, nausea, and weight changes.

Other nutrition concerns

Find out about nutritional issues that need extra care, such as malnutrition, diabetes, and eating with a stoma.

Nutrition and advanced cancer

Learn how advanced cancer can affect how you eat and drink, and ways to manage problems such as nausea and vomiting, sore mouth, and bowel issues.

Meal and snack ideas

These quick meal and snack ideas and recipes may help when you feel too tired or unwell to shop for food or cook, or if you’re missing meals while having treatment.

Caring for someone with cancer

If you’re caring for someone with cancer, you may need to help them manage eating issues caused by the cancer and its treatment.

Seeking support

Eating well and managing nutrition-related side effects can feel overwhelming, but there are many sources of support.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor questions will help you make informed decisions. Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask.

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Diet during treatment

Will this cancer treatment affect what I can eat?
Should I be on a special diet? Should I eat only organic foods?
Should I avoid any particular food during treatment?
What other changes to my diet can I expect?
Is it safe to take vitamin supplements?
I’d like to try a special diet I’ve heard might help. Is it likely to cause any harm?
How can I stay strong during treatment?
Should I see a dentist?

Symptoms and side effects

Why am I losing/gaining weight?
Why am I feeling sick?
Why am I so tired?
How can I reduce nausea? Will medicine help? When should I be taking anti-nausea medicine?
What can I do about mouth ulcers? How long will they take to heal?
Why has my sense of taste or smell changed? Will it return to normal?
Will these symptoms go away and, if so, when?
Are my bowel habits of concern?
Can you refer me to a dietitian or speech pathologist for help with swallowing difficulties?

After treatment

Do I need to change my diet after treatment ends?
Is there a diet that can help me stay cancer-free?
How can I get my strength and fitness back?
Can you refer me to a dietitian to help with ongoing side effects?

We cannot give advice about the best eating plan for you. You need to discuss this with your doctors, nurses and dietitians. However, we hope this information will answer some of your questions and help you think about other questions to ask your treatment team or dietitian.

Need to talk?

Call 13 11 20 to talk to a health professional Or email us your questions.

This information was last updated in June 2022. See who reviewed this content.

Jacqueline Baker, Senior Oncology Dietitian, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Lauren Atkins, Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, OnCore Nutrition, VIC; Dr Tsien Fua, Head and Neck Radiation Oncology Specialist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rosemerry Hodgkin, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Clare Hughes, Manager, Nutrition Unit, Cancer Council NSW; John Spurr, Consumer; Emma Vale, Senior Dietitian, GenesisCare, SA; David Wood, Consumer.

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