Eating a balanced diet is essential for maintaining health and energy, and it becomes even more critical when the body is in a state of healing, such as during radiation therapy. Thoughtful food preparation and nutritious eating can significantly benefit patients before, during, and after radiation therapy. The benefits of healthful eating include feeling better, having more energy, and recovering faster. Conversely, not consuming enough nutrients and calories can lead to malnutrition and muscle loss, which may amplify side effects, disrupt treatment, delay healing, and impact outcomes.
The Importance of Nutrition During Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that shrinks and destroys cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells, causing side effects like fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. A proper diet for radiation therapy keeps the body and its immune system strong, giving it the nutrients it needs to promote the regrowth of healthy tissues. “Food is a part of the medical treatment during cancer therapy,” says Shayna Komar, a registered dietician specializing in oncology. “It helps support a patient’s immune system and decreases side effects.”
During radiation therapy, the body's needs are different, and calorie and protein needs increase to help keep weight stable. Patients should aim to consume 25 to 35 calories per kilogram of body weight. It is not uncommon for radiation therapy to zap a patient of their energy and lessen their appetite. Many patients feel nauseous, which also dampens the desire to eat. What you eat during radiation therapy will be a combination of what tastes good and what your body needs during treatment.
Key Components of a Balanced Diet
Patients should try to incorporate a mix of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and ample hydration each day. Including these components in a healthy diet during radiation therapy is a recipe for a swift recovery with fewer side effects.
Protein: The Building Block for Healing
Proteins play a vital role in a patient’s recovery and overall health, so ensuring each meal includes a protein source is important. Protein helps repair body tissues; assist with blood clotting; maintain muscle mass and strength; keep the immune system strong; and act as an energy source. Protein-rich foods include eggs, nuts or nut butter, lean meats such as fish or poultry, dairy products, and soy. It is recommended that individuals get at least 10% of calories from proteins and often a much higher percentage depending on your situation.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
“While every food group is important, protein trumps them all during radiation,” says Komar.
Healthy Fats: Fueling the Healing Process
Healthy fats, also known as unsaturated fats, can create an optimal healing environment. Fats are another energy source and can help the body fight inflammation and repair and replace injured tissue. Olive oil, nuts, seeds, flax, and avocados are great options for healthy fats.
Carbohydrates: The Energy Source
Carbohydrates are a fast-acting and easily accessible energy source. The best sources are unprocessed and can be found in whole grains, fruits, beans, and vegetables. Carbohydrates also provide the body with fiber and additional vitamins and minerals that are necessary for mental and physical health.
Vitamins and Minerals: Supporting the Immune System
Vitamins and minerals also help keep the immune system strong and support healthy tissue repair. Maintaining adequate levels can be important, and you should discuss with your doctor whether vitamin supplements are recommended. “Supplements can be a safe way to ensure patients undergoing radiation therapy get enough vitamins and minerals,” says Lara.
Hydration: Essential for Overall Health
It is recommended that individuals drink 3-4 quarts of liquid every day. “Good hydration flushes toxins out of the body and reduces treatment side effects such as nausea, weakness, bowel changes, and fatigue,” says Komar. Keep a filled water bottle with you at all times and drink, drink, drink. Some Jello, pudding, popsicles and juice products are additional hydration sources, but be cautious of their sugar content.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Staying hydrated makes side effects less severe and lowers your chances of missing or delaying cancer treatments. It’s important to avoid dehydration during treatment to protect your organs from long-term damage. All non-alcoholic beverages count toward keeping you hydrated. If you don’t enjoy drinking water, try flavored waters or waters infused with fruit or vegetables to improve the taste. If you are going to consume caffeinated drinks like tea or coffee, we recommend having no more than 1 to 2 glasses a day as it may make dry mouth worse. This is a common side effect during treatment. It’s also important to pay attention to your urine. You can also get some of the fluid you need from milk, sports drinks, tea, and moist foods like soup, Jell-O, yogurt, sherbet and pudding.
Strategies for a Balanced Diet During Radiation Treatment
Eating during radiation treatment may not always be easy, but it is important to keep trying. Here are some helpful suggestions:
- Replace larger meals with smaller meals and snacks every few hours
- Choose protein-dense snacks, such as cheese sticks, yogurt cups, or hardboiled eggs throughout the day
- Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables as tolerated
- Keep travel snacks in your car or bag
- Boost your smoothies with protein powder
- Add healthy fats and proteins to dishes, for example, nut butter to hot cereal; avocado slices with soups or sandwiches; or adding olive oil to vegetables and salads
- Dine with family or friends to make mealtimes more enjoyable
- Avoid lying down immediately after eating
Eating smaller meals, more often, is helpful when you are experiencing side effects from radiation therapy. “Resting sitting up after meals also allows proper digestion,” says Lara. Break usual mealtime traditions by eating long-established meals at different times during the day. On the other hand, you might feel like eating breakfast foods for dinner. “It’s important for patients to adopt an attitude of exploration during this time,” says Lara.
To make sure you’re getting enough calories during radiation, ask yourself, “What can I add to this meal to make it more nutrient-rich?” Think about topping your dishes with dressings and sauces. Some salt, ideally unrefined, is needed in all diets.
Foods to Avoid During Radiation Therapy
Your immune system may become compromised with treatment. If this occurs, it is important to avoid foods that carry the risk of foodborne illnesses such as raw eggs, fish, or meats; unpasteurized dairy products; and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP
In addition to foods to avoid that are listed above, spicy foods can cause gastrointestinal problems during radiation therapy. “One of the potential side effects of radiation therapy includes intestinal problems, such as bloating,” says Lara. If you are receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, refrain from consuming foods that may get stuck when swallowing (e.g.
Specific Tips for Head and Neck Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers may cause side effects that impact eating. These may include dry mouth, sores, nausea, loss of taste or a metallic taste, or difficulty chewing and swallowing. To minimize uncomfortable side effects, consider the following:
- Eat soft, bland foods that won’t irritate the mouth
- Moisten foods with gravies or sauces
- Avoid spicy foods or acidic fruit, such as oranges or grapefruit, that may inflame sores
- Use plastic ware instead of metal knives, forks, or cans
- Suck on popsicles or lozenges to help increase saliva
- Rinse your mouth every four to six hours for comfort and palette cleansing between meals. (Use an alcohol-free mouthwash or a water and baking soda solution. Speak with your doctor or dentist about what might work best for you.)
- If you experience excessive mucus in your throat, gargle with warm salt water and sip on liquids throughout the day. Warm tea with honey may help clear the throat. Warm ginger tea may additionally help if experiencing nausea.
- Add calories by opting for sports or therapeutic nutrition drinks.
If suffering from frequent, watery bowel movements:
- Replenish fluids throughout the day
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Eat more soluble fiber, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, oats, apples without skins, and bananas
- Speak with your physician if diarrhea does not improve
If suffering from constipation:
- Drink eight to 10 cups of liquids a day
- Establish regularity by eating and trying to have a bowel movement on a schedule
- Select high-fiber foods, such as bran cereals, popcorn, and fruits and vegetables with skins on
- Light exercise can improve regularity
- Contact your doctor if you are unable to have a bowel movement for three or more days; use laxatives only as recommended by a doctor
Minimize proctitis:
- Avoid caffeine
- Avoid spicy, acidic, and fatty foods during bouts of diarrhea
- Try switching to alternative forms of milk if lactose intolerance may be a factor
Listening to Your Body and Adapting Your Diet
Radiation therapy can change how a patient’s body accepts certain foods and uses nutrients. Pay attention to your side effects and how they affect your appetite. Focus on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean proteins. Change your eating habits and times. Stay hydrated.
Throughout your treatment, listen to your body and adjust your diet according to what it is telling you. You may find only some foods taste good on a given day. “Do not approach radiation treatment with a strict food plan,” says Komar. Your radiation diet may include switching to a bland diet or adding lots of flavorful foods to your meals.
The Role of the Cancer Care Team
If you have difficulty consuming enough calories throughout the day, you may be referred to a clinical dietitian, who can help create a food plan based on your needs. If you’re unable to eat due to nausea, your doctor may prescribe antiemetics (anti-nausea medication).
The cancer care team at Virginia Oncology Associates (VOA) understands radiation therapy for cancer treatment can make eating a challenge but it’s still important to keep trying. A member of your VOA cancer care team can provide you with personal nutrition solutions and menu ideas to prevent additional illness and facilitate recovery from your disease. Fueling your body regularly with the right food is the best way to help your body fight cancer, preserve your muscle mass, and get the most out of your radiation treatment. The cancer care team at Virginia Oncology Associates is here to help. We offer you access to nutrition counseling experts and dietitians, who can provide personalized nutrition solutions and menu ideas to help with the side effects of cancer and treatment. Please reach out to your VOA team with any questions you may have, or check out the answers to frequently asked questions about radiation therapy.
Willamette Valley Cancer Institute (WVCI) nutrition counseling services include dietitians trained to help cancer patients create a personalized nutrition plan based on your specific diagnosis, health history, and treatment plan. Our guidance can help you make food choices that do not aggravate your condition and that help you feel better throughout treatment. A clinical dietitian will go over your specific nutrition goals based on your age, height, weight and treatment plan. Don’t hesitate to follow up with your dietitian during the course of your treatment. If you’re an MD Anderson patient, you can always MyChart, or schedule a follow-up appointment by calling Clinical Nutrition at 713-563-5167.