Hematology-Oncology Associates of the Quad-Cities, PC
Managing Eating Problems
Information provided by Hematology-Oncology Associates of the Quad-Cities, PC ©2008
Good nutrition can be affected by poor mouth care, fatigue, pain, fever, as well as the side-effects of cancer treatment. The goal is to know how to combat these symptoms and maintain an adequate diet.
Loss of appetite (Anorexia)
Make every bite count-choose high calorie and protein foods.
Eat 5-6 small meals daily.
Eat with others, you may find you are able to relax and enjoy your meals more if you socialize with family and friends.
Do not stop eating because you have lost your appetite. Make a concentrated effort to eat regularly even when you are not hungry.
Exercise may improve appetite; take a small walk before meals.
Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia)
Eat a variety of soft, easy-to-swallow foods such as soups, eggs, pastas, cheese dishes, quiches, dairy products and liquid meals (i.e. Boost, Ensure).
Take smaller bites of food and small sips of beverages.
Chew foods thoroughly.
Avoid dry meat, plain rice, bread, raw vegetables, dried fruits and nuts.
Nausea & Vomiting
Eat small meals more often.
Dry, salty foods such as Ritz crackers and toast may help settle your stomach.
Cold foods, and foods low in fat, may be easier for your stomach to handle.
Arrange for someone else to cook for you or go out for your meals.
If the odor of the food itself makes you feel squeamish, eat foods at room temperature-the odor will be gone. Eat in a well-ventilated room.
Diarrhea
Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day to replace fluids and electrolytes. Try Gatorade or other sports drinks.
Avoid greasy, fried, spicy or very sweet foods. Limit milk to 2 cups daily.
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds and citrus juices.
Eat foods high in soluble fiber such as applesauce, rice and bananas.
Constipation
Drink plenty of fluids. Try water, prune juice and warm beverages.
Eat high fiber foods or add a fiber supplement to your diet.
Eat at regular times each day.
Increase exercise, take a walk after eating.
Dry mouth (xerostomia)
Eat soft foods; add gravies, sauces, broth, salad dressing, sour cream or mayonnaise to make foods moist.
Dunk dry foods in soup or beverages.
Try artificial saliva, or before eating swish and swallow a small mouthful of olive oil or vegetable oil. This will lubricate the mouth and esophagus for about 15 minutes.
Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol or peroxide.
Mix ½-1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda with a glass of warm water. Swish and spit with this solution 4-5 times daily.
Mouth sores (stomatitis)
Drink plenty of liquids to help keep your mouth moist.
Avoid citrus and acidic foods and beverages such as tomatoes and oranges.
Cold or frozen foods can help your mouth feel better.
Good mouth care is important. Mix ½-1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda with a glass of warm water. Swish and spit with this solution 4-5 times daily.
Try foods like creamy soups or casseroles, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, egg salad, creamy pasta dishes and mashed potatoes with gravy.
Alterations in taste and smell
Suck on mints or lemon candy to keep mouth fresh.
Use plastic silverware if a metallic taste is present.
If red meat taste bitter, marinate it before cooking in wine, fruit juice, soy sauce or any other meat marinates.
If food seems to lack flavor, add extra spices and herbs while cooking.
Change the temperature of foods. Frequently, foods will taste better chilled or frozen.
Good mouth care is important. Mix ½-1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda with a glass of warm water. Swish and spit with this solution 4-5 times daily.
Check with your dentist to rule out any dental problems.
Eat in a well ventilated room.
Feeling of fullness
Eat small amounts of food 6-8 times a day.
Sip fluids with meals. Drink the majority of fluids between meals to avoid feeling bloated at mealtime.
Take a walk or exercise between meals.
Eat slowly in a pleasant setting.
Good nutrition can be affected by poor mouth care, fatigue, pain, fever, as well as the side-effects of cancer treatment. The goal is to know how to combat these symptoms and maintain an adequate diet.
Loss of appetite (Anorexia)
Make every bite count-choose high calorie and protein foods.
Eat 5-6 small meals daily.
Eat with others, you may find you are able to relax and enjoy your meals more if you socialize with family and friends.
Do not stop eating because you have lost your appetite. Make a concentrated effort to eat regularly even when you are not hungry.
Exercise may improve appetite; take a small walk before meals.
Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia)
Eat a variety of soft, easy-to-swallow foods such as soups, eggs, pastas, cheese dishes, quiches, dairy products and liquid meals (i.e. Boost, Ensure).
Take smaller bites of food and small sips of beverages.
Chew foods thoroughly.
Avoid dry meat, plain rice, bread, raw vegetables, dried fruits and nuts.
Nausea & Vomiting
Eat small meals more often.
Dry, salty foods such as Ritz crackers and toast may help settle your stomach.
Cold foods, and foods low in fat, may be easier for your stomach to handle.
Arrange for someone else to cook for you or go out for your meals.
If the odor of the food itself makes you feel squeamish, eat foods at room temperature-the odor will be gone. Eat in a well-ventilated room.
Diarrhea
Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day to replace fluids and electrolytes. Try Gatorade or other sports drinks.
Avoid greasy, fried, spicy or very sweet foods. Limit milk to 2 cups daily.
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds and citrus juices.
Eat foods high in soluble fiber such as applesauce, rice and bananas.
Constipation
Drink plenty of fluids. Try water, prune juice and warm beverages.
Eat high fiber foods or add a fiber supplement to your diet.
Eat at regular times each day.
Increase exercise, take a walk after eating.
Dry mouth (xerostomia)
Eat soft foods; add gravies, sauces, broth, salad dressing, sour cream or mayonnaise to make foods moist.
Dunk dry foods in soup or beverages.
Try artificial saliva, or before eating swish and swallow a small mouthful of olive oil or vegetable oil. This will lubricate the mouth and esophagus for about 15 minutes.
Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol or peroxide.
Mix ½-1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda with a glass of warm water. Swish and spit with this solution 4-5 times daily.
Mouth sores (stomatitis)
Drink plenty of liquids to help keep your mouth moist.
Avoid citrus and acidic foods and beverages such as tomatoes and oranges.
Cold or frozen foods can help your mouth feel better.
Good mouth care is important. Mix ½-1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda with a glass of warm water. Swish and spit with this solution 4-5 times daily.
Try foods like creamy soups or casseroles, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, egg salad, creamy pasta dishes and mashed potatoes with gravy.
Alterations in taste and smell
Suck on mints or lemon candy to keep mouth fresh.
Use plastic silverware if a metallic taste is present.
If red meat taste bitter, marinate it before cooking in wine, fruit juice, soy sauce or any other meat marinates.
If food seems to lack flavor, add extra spices and herbs while cooking.
Change the temperature of foods. Frequently, foods will taste better chilled or frozen.
Good mouth care is important. Mix ½-1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda with a glass of warm water. Swish and spit with this solution 4-5 times daily.
Check with your dentist to rule out any dental problems.
Eat in a well ventilated room.
Feeling of fullness
Eat small amounts of food 6-8 times a day.
Sip fluids with meals. Drink the majority of fluids between meals to avoid feeling bloated at mealtime.
Take a walk or exercise between meals.
Eat slowly in a pleasant setting.