What Are the Best Foods to Eat During Chemotherapy?

Getting the right nutrition during cancer treatment can help you feel better, recover faster, and stay energized and strong. Each person has different needs, so there’s no single diet or meal plan that will help them through chemotherapy. The best diet for you is the one that gives you the calories and nutrients your body needs and helps you cope with any chemotherapy side effects you may have. 

Let’s take a closer look at how chemotherapy can affect your health and nutrition. Knowing the best foods to eat during chemotherapy can help you know which foods to prioritize and others that you should avoid. 

How chemotherapy can impact your nutrition

​​Chemotherapy — also known as “chemo” — is often a key part of treating cancer, but it can be hard on your body. 

Chemotherapy works by targeting cancer cells, but it can damage healthy cells too. For some people, chemotherapy affects how they tolerate certain foods. Chemotherapy can also change how the body absorbs nutrients.

Here are some common ways that chemotherapy can affect your nutrition:

• Decreased appetite

• Nausea and vomiting

• Changes in taste or smell

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Sores in the mouth (mucositis) or throat

The best foods to eat during chemotherapy

If you’re getting chemotherapy, it’s likely there will be times when you don’t feel like eating. Because of this, it’s important to try to load up on enough calories and nutrients when you can. 

To support your body during chemotherapy treatment and recovery, prioritize taking in macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) as well as vitamins and minerals.

People getting chemotherapy may need to follow diets that are different from the typical balanced diet. For example, they may need more high-calorie, high-protein foods like cheese and eggs. Or they may need low-fiber foods to help with diarrhea. 

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Each person is different, so it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional about your specific situation. Nutritionists are usually part of a cancer treatment team. And they can make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. 

Here are some important nutrients to aim for during chemo along with the best foods to eat to get them.

1. Protein 

Protein has many important functions in your body. Proteins are the building blocks for your muscles and bones. And they help keep your immune system healthy. You can get protein from:

• Fish, chicken, and lean red meats

• Beans, peas, and lentils

• Dairy products like Greek yogurt and cottage cheese

• High-protein nuts like peanuts, almonds, and cashews

• Eggs

• Soy foods like tempeh, tofu, and edamame

2. Healthy fats

Healthy fats are an important source of calories. They also help your cells grow and produce hormones. 

There are different types of fat, and some are healthier than others. It’s best to choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as much as possible and to avoid trans fatty acids. In general, you should limit how much saturated fat you eat to about 5% of your calories or less. If you need more calories, your nutritionist may recommend you eat a higher amount. 

Here’s a snapshot of some foods that contain these fats:

• Monounsaturated fats: olive oil, avocados, nuts, dark chocolate, peanut butter, flax seeds

• Polyunsaturated fats: salmon, trout, sardines, walnuts, chia seeds, safflower oil, sunflower oil 

• Saturated fats: meat, milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, coconut oil, palm oil

• Trans fatty acids (to avoid): margarine, fried foods, microwave popcorn, cookies, cakes, and pies, as well as processed foods like frozen pizza, chicken nuggets, or potato chips 

3. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide most of the energy and fuel that your body needs to work properly. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the best sources of carbohydrates. That’s because they also provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Another good source of carbohydrates are grains like: 

• Breads 

• Cereals 

• Pasta 

Opt for whole-grain versions where possible. These have more naturally occurring nutrients and fiber.

4. Fiber

Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are all great sources of fiber. Eating fiber can help lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease. And it can improve your gut health too. 

That said, for some people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, your care team may recommend a diet low in fiber, since it may decrease the size and frequency of bowel movements. This may be true for people who have had bowel surgery. 

Low-fiber foods include:

• Ground meat, fish, and tender cuts of meat

• Eggs

• Milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream

• White rice, white bread, and plain pasta

• Cereals without whole grains, added fiber, or dried fruit

• Cooked potatoes without skins

• Tender vegetables that are well-cooked and without seeds, stems, or skins

• Soft canned or cooked fruit without seeds or skins

High-fiber foods include:

• Green leafy vegetables

• Apples, pears, and berries

• Potatoes with skins

• Whole-grain bread, cereals, and pasta

• Quinoa and millet

• Brown rice

• Beans and lentils

5. Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients your body needs to develop and function properly. Some also help support a healthy immune system. The best way to get vitamins and minerals is to eat foods rich in them. For most people, a varied diet is enough to get all the micronutrients they need. 

In some cases, people having chemotherapy may need to use supplements to top up their levels of vitamins and minerals. For example, some hormone treatments for breast and prostate cancer can also weaken your bones. So your healthcare team may recommend you take calcium and vitamin D to help prevent bone weakening. Before you start any supplement, it’s always best to have a conversation with a healthcare professional. 

Examples of nutrient-dense foods include:

• Fruits and vegetables, especially those that are orange and dark green

• Whole grains

• Low-fat cuts of meat, poultry, and cooked fish

• Nuts and beans

• Yogurt, milk, and cheeses

Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

During chemotherapy, there may be certain foods you should avoid. These foods may increase the risk of infection or interact with your cancer treatment.

Foods that can cause infection

Some cancer treatments can temporarily weaken your immune system (called immunosuppression). This means you may be more likely to get certain infections. If this is the case, then it’s best to avoid these foods that may cause infections: 

• Unpasteurized or raw milk

• Unwashed fresh produce

• Soft or unpasteurized cheese

• Deli meats

• Raw sprouts (like alfalfa and bean)

• Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs

• Cold or undercooked hotdogs

Foods that can interact with chemotherapy

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with certain cancer medications. So ask your healthcare team about possible interactions, or avoid eating and drinking it during treatment. 

Drinking green tea in moderation (1 or 2 cups a day) is considered safe. But it can interact with some cancer treatments like Velcade (bortezomib). Talk to your healthcare team about your medications and any possible interactions.

The best diet routine for chemotherapy

On the day of chemotherapy, it’s important to focus on foods that are gentle on your digestive system and easy to tolerate. To avoid upsetting your stomach, stick to simple, bland foods like:

• Rice

• Toast

• Oatmeal

• Mashed potatoes 

Hydration is also key, so drink plenty of fluids, such as:

• Water

• Clear broths

• Electrolyte drinks

You should also avoid spicy, greasy, or strongly flavored foods, since they could worsen any nausea or digestive discomfort you might be feeling. 

If you’re struggling with mouth sores or dry mouth, soft foods can help make you more comfortable, like:

• Yogurt

• Smoothies

• Creamy soups 

But don’t forget that your journey is a marathon, not a sprint. If chemotherapy makes you lose your appetite, it’s OK to eat light for a day or two. Ultimately, listen to your body and eat what you can tolerate, ensuring that you stay nourished and hydrated throughout your treatment. If you're uncertain, it’s always helpful to consult with your healthcare team for personalized advice.

Lastly, researchers are studying some diets — like fasting mimicking diets. These eating plans use fewer calories on certain days to see if they help with chemotherapy side effects. Some studies show that they may help some people, but more research is ongoing.

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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