How to Change Your Diet During Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the immune cells of the lymphatic system. It’s not clear why some people develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Gene changes (mutations) play a role, and so may certain viruses and medical conditions. 

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life changing experience. It’s natural to want to know whether there’s anything you can do to help your body respond to treatment. Many people turn to complementary treatments during their journey. Nutrition is an important complementary treatment. It can help give your body the tools it needs to respond to treatment and fight off cancer. Here’s how your diet can impact non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Can your diet make lymphoma more aggressive? 

There is no evidence that your diet can make lymphoma more aggressive. But cancer will impact how much nutrition your body needs. Most people need more calories and protein during treatment. This is because your body is using up more energy than usual to fight off the cancer. Your body also uses extra calories to fight infection, and to rebuild new cells and tissues that are damaged from cancer or during treatment. 

But cancer treatment can cause symptoms that make it hard to eat and get necessary nutrition. 

Cancer treatments can cause symptoms like:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Taste and smell changes 

• Trouble chewing and swallowing

What’s the best diet if you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

There isn’t a “best diet” to follow when you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But it’s important to make every bite count, so that you get the nutrition you need. Work with a registered dietitian to find a meal plan that works for you — and meets your nutritional needs. 

In general, experts recommend sticking with nutrient dense foods like:

• Whole fruits and vegetables

• Lean meats

• Eggs

• Nuts and nut butters

• Beans and lentils

• Milk and cheese

• Whole grain cereals and breads

It’s also a good idea to add foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like:

• Salmon

• Albacore tuna

• Mackerel

• Walnuts

• Chia, flax, and hemp seeds

If it’s difficult for you to eat because of treatment side effects, try these tips:

• Cool your food. Try eating food at colder temperatures to help offset nausea and an upset stomach. Try freezing yogurt and drinking smoothies. And opt for cold soups instead of hot ones.

• Avoid metal utensils. Certain treatments can affect your taste buds, and make everything taste metallic. Using metal utensils can intensify this experience. Try switching to bamboo or plastic utensils instead.

• Add extra seasoning. Treatment can also make things taste bitter. Try adding extra seasoning or sugar to your food to overcome these side effects. 

It’s also important to get enough fluids throughout the day so you don’t become dehydrated. Vomiting and diarrhea — which are common side effects of treatment — can make it especially easy to become dehydrated. 

Drinking enough water throughout the day can help you stay hydrated. It’s better to take small sips of fluid often, than to try and drink full glasses of fluid all at once. If you need a break from water, you can also try:

• Electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte or Gatorade

• Broth

• Gelatin

• Ice pops

• Tea

Are there foods you should avoid if you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Yes. There are some foods you should avoid if you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment will weaken your immune system. This means you may not be able to eat certain foods because you are at higher risk for getting a foodborne illness. To lower your risk of foodborne illness, avoid harmful bacteria in your foods by:

• Washing and peeling raw fruits and vegetables before eating them 

• Only eating fully cooked meat, fish, shellfish, and eggs 

You also want to avoid:

• Soft cheeses like brie, feta, and blue cheese

• Unpasteurized foods and drinks

• Deli meats that are sliced at the deli counter

There’s also some evidence that high levels of antioxidants — especially vitamins A, C, and E — can impact how well radiation therapy and chemotherapy work. Talk to your healthcare team to see if you should avoid certain foods or drinks that contain high levels of these vitamins. The trick is to get enough of these vitamins to keep you healthy, but not so much that it can impact your treatment.  

Can non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma be cured by changing your diet?

No. You can’t cure non-Hodgkin lymphoma by changing your diet.  

While diet alone does not cause or cure cancer, your diet can affect the way you feel during your treatment. A healthy diet can help you feel better during treatment and help you recover. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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