Eating during and after treatment

You need to eat and drink enough to get the nutrition your body needs and to avoid dehydration. It
is also important to maintain your weight to prevent malnutrition. You may need a feeding tube during
or after treatment if you are unable to eat and drink enough to meet your nutritional needs.

After treatment, you may find that some foods are uncomfortable to eat and cause digestive problems. You will need to try different foods and change your eating habits, such as eating smaller meals more often throughout the day.

Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian with experience in cancer care – they can give you more information. If you are eating less than usual, it is often recommended that you have high-energy and high-protein foods and follow healthy eating guidelines.

For more on this, see Nutrition and cancer.

How to prevent unplanned weight loss

• Have a snack or small meal every 2–3 hours if you have lost your appetite and don’t feel hungry enough for a big meal.
• Keep a variety of snacks on hand (e.g. in your bag or car).
• Eat when you feel hungry or crave certain foods.
• Avoid filling up on liquids at mealtimes, unless it’s a hearty soup, so you have room for nourishing food.
• Try eating different foods to see if your taste and tolerance for some foods have changed.
• Eat slowly and stop and rest when you are full.
• Try to drink fluids that add energy (kilojoules), such as milk, milkshakes, smoothies or
• nutritional supplement drinks recommended by your dietitian.
• Prevent dehydration by drinking fluids between meals (30–60 minutes before or after meals).
• Ask your dietitian how you can increase your energy and protein intake.
• Use a food diary to keep a record of how you react to certain foods.

→ READ MORE: Life After Treatment

Podcast: Appetite Loss and Nausea

Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer