Weakened Immune SystemsIf you have a weakened immune system due to cancer and its treatment, it is difficult for their

body to protect itself against infection-causing germs. Therefore, certain food safety precautions

must be taken to prevent food borne illness.

At home, be sure to:

• Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after preparing food and before eating

• Refrigerate foods at or below 40° F

• Keep hot foods hot (warmer than 140° F) and cold foods cold (cooler than 40° F)

• Wash fruits and vegetables well under running water before eating

• Wash tops of canned foods with soap and water before opening

• Avoid pre-cut produce (e.g cut fruit from the grocery store)

• Put perishable foods in the refrigerator within 2 hours of buying or preparing them

• Use a clean knife to cut different types of foods

• Clean counters and cutting boards well

• Cook meat and poultry to the proper temperatures using a food thermometer

(165 ° F for most meats)

At the grocery store:

• Check “sell-by” and “use-by” dates on all foods and pick the freshest

products

• Choose fruits and vegetables without bruises or blemishes

• Avoid sliced deli meats unless heated in the microwave for 30 seconds

before consuming

• Do not eat from buffets or salad bars

• Do not eat yogurt and ice cream products from self-serve machines

• Do not eat foods that are bought from self-serve containers or bulk bins

“Disclaimer: This information is provided for general education purposes only; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning a diet or exercise program. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.”

References:

1. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Oncology Dietetic Practice Group. “Eating Well When Unwell: Side Effects.” http://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/eating-well-when-unwell/side-effects/

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Nutrition Tips for Cancer Treatment

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Mouth soresIf mouth sores are present, try:

• Foods that are lukewarm or cold, rather than hot

• Tender and soft foods

• Drinking through a straw to bypass mouth sores

• High-protein, high-calorie foods to speed healing of the sores

• Nutrition supplements such as Boost, Ensure, Orgain, or Carnation Instant

Breakfast

• Soft foods such as creamed soups, cheeses, mashed potatoes, cooked eggs,

custards, puddings, cooked cereals and pasteurized eggnog

• Cold foods such as milk shakes, ice cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, watermelon,

Jello, or slushies

Foods that should be avoided when mouth sores are present:

• Tart or acidic foods such as citrus fruits and juices and pineapple

• Salty foods, including broth

• Strong spices such as peppers, chili powder, nutmeg and cloves

• Coarse foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, dry toast, grainy cereals and breads, or

crunchy snacks

• Alcoholic beverages

Dry MouthIf dry mouth is making eating more challenging:

• Add sauces, gravies, broth and dressings to food

• Suck ice chips, popsicles, gum or sugarless hard candies to keep your mouth moist

• Eat moist foods such as hot cereals, canned or fresh fruit, casseroles, soups, or stews

• Add tart foods to your diet to stimulate saliva, unless you also have mouth sores.

Examples could be oranges, lemons, and lemon drops

• Sip small amounts of liquids with your meals

Avoid eating and drinking:

• meats without sauces

• bread products, crackers and dry cakes

• very hot foods and beverages

• alcoholic beverages

• large amounts of caffeine

ConstipationIf experiencing constipation after certain mediations or treatments, try:

• Drinking warm beverages

• Eating high-fiber foods like raw fruits and vegetables, whole wheat bread and

cereals, dried fruit, dried peas and beans

• Light exercise, such as walking

DiarrheaEat small meals. Drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration, however, try to drink the majority

of fluids in between meals prevent early appetite loss.

Consume easy to tolerate foods such as:

• bananas • white bread

• potatoes • baked fish

• rice • chicken

• applesauce • eggs

Avoid eating and drinking the following when you have diarrhea:

• high fiber foods such as whole grains, raw vegetables, fruits with skin, popcorn,

or nuts

• carbonated beverages

• beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage

• spicy foods

• foods with high fat/rich sauces

• caffeine

• most dairy products

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HOW TO EAT BASED ON MY SIDE EFFECTSVarious cancer treatments can often cause additional side effects that can take away appetite or

desire to eat. Below you can find recommended tips to help with the most common symptoms and

side effects present during treatment. If you have a combination of two or more please consult with

your physician to determine the best nutrition tips for your treatment.:

Nausea & Vomiting• Eat small, frequent meals 5-6 times daily as this is often better tolerated than larger meals

• Eat cold foods rather than warm foods as they often have less odor

• Focus on easy to tolerate foods including applesauce/canned fruit, baked chicken,

crackers, pretzels, rice, toast, popsicles, sherbet, and bananas

• Take small, slow sips of liquids throughout the day

• Speak with your doctor about scheduling anti-nausea medications prior to meals

• Avoid spicy, high fat, very sweet, or strong smelling foods

Taste changes• Consume cold foods and beverages

• Try strongly flavored foods such as chocolate, lasagna, spaghetti or barbecued foods

• Try tart or spicy foods, unless you also have mouth sores

• Eat protein foods without strong odors such as poultry, eggs and dairy products,

rather than those with strong odors such as beef and fish

• Add sauces to foods

• Try eating something sweet, such as cranberry sauce, jelly or applesauce

with meals

• Experiment with new combinations of seasonings or adding sugar or salt to enhance

the flavor

• T ry eating with plastic silverware and glass cups and plates to avoid taste alterations

LMFL-2876-032718-1047-05117

If you are undergoing cancer treatment, it is important that you eat balanced meals that will provide you with enough calories and nutrients to give your body the fuel that it needs. Use the chart below to help you build your meal by choosing a protein, grain, fruit and/or vegetable, and one “add-on” (typically a fat source or other high calorie food to really pump up the energy in your meal) to get you on the right track!

**Please note that appropriate serving sizes vary by person. Your protein/calorie needs depend on your individualized cancer treatment plan and body composition. Please talk to your Registered Dietitian regarding your own speci� c needs!

HOW TO BUILD YOUR MEAL

Breakfast (choose 1 food from each column to build your meal)Protein Grain Fruit/Veg. Add-on1-2 eggs 1 English mu� n 1 apple 2 tbsp peanut btr.6 oz Greek yogurt 1 cup cooked oatmeal ½ cup berries 2 tbsp almond btr.1 cup whole milk 1 cup whole grain cereal 1 banana ¼ cup almonds 1 slice mozzarella Cheese 1 slice whole grain toast ½ tomato, sliced ½ avocado 4-6 oz cottage cheese 1 granola bar 1 peach ¼ cup cashews

Lunch (choose 1 food from each column to build your meal)Protein Grain Fruit/Veg. Add-on2-3 oz of deli turkey 2 slices whole grain toast 1 orange 1 tbsp mayonnaise3-4 oz chicken breast 1 tortilla 1 cup sliced 1 tbsp cucumbers vinaigrette dressing

and peppers2 tbsp peanut butter 1 bagel 1 banana 1 tbsp honey1 cup soup or chili made 1 roll 2 cups lettuce + 1 tbsp butter with beans or meat additional veggies + dressing of choice¼ cup parmesan cheese 1 cup pasta 1 cup zucchini 1 tbsp butter

Dinner (choose 1 food from each column to build your meal)Protein Grain Vegetable(s) Add-on4-6 oz chicken breast 1 cup brown rice Green Beans 1 tbsp Olive oil4-6 oz salmon 1 cup whole wheat pasta Zucchini 1 tbsp canola oil ½ cup black beans 1 cup cooked quinoa Red pepper 1 tbsp olive oil and onions4-6 oz beef 1 baked potato Broccoli and carrots 1 tbsp butterTurkey burger made 1 hamburger bun Romaine lettuce 1-2 tbsp salad with dressing 3-4 oz ground dressing turkey

SnacksBe sure to include at least 2-3 snacks into your diet each day to be sure that you are getting enough calories and keeping your energy levels high. When snacking, be sure to combine a carbohydrate and protein-rich food from the list below for the perfect power snack.

Carbohydrate-rich foods Protein-rich foods¼ cup Dried fruit ¼ cup Almonds4 cups popcorn 1 piece string cheese 1 whole wheat bagel 2 tbsp peanut butter15-20 whole wheat crackers Hummus1 piece fresh fruit 2 tbsp almond butter

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQuestion #1: I have cancer. What should I eat?

There is no speci� c diet for when you are undergoing cancer treatment. However, the main nutritional goals during treatment include getting enough: • Calories (energy) and nutrients from healthy foods • Protein to help maintain lean body mass and muscle mass • Fluids to remain hydrated You can still follow a normal, healthy diet while undergoing cancer treatment that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The main thing to remember is that EVERY patient is di� erent and what works for some may not work for others as di� erent people experience di� erent symptoms and side e� ects.

Question #2 : Does sugar feed cancer?

Many people have heard the statement “sugar feeds cancer” and feel that they need to completely avoid all sugar in order to no longer “feed” the cancer cells. However, it is important that we understand how sugar is made in our bodies and what it is used for. Our bodies need sugar (speci� cally glucose) in order to have energy. EVERY cell of our body needs sugar to live. The sugar that we need comes from both the carbohydrate that we eat and from our body. Our body will make it’s own sugar if we don’t get enough from our food!If all sugar is removed from the diet, the body will then make that sugar that it needs from fat and protein. This requires more energy and can make the body more stressed. Bottom line: We need some carbohydrates in order to have healthy cell function in our bodies. Cancer cells use sugar for energy just like any other cell. We cannot “choose” which cells are fed just by avoiding sugar. For those who are undergoing treatment for cancer, it is vital to feed your healthy cells by providing them with adequate amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Avoiding sugar altogether will NOT help treatment and could leave your healthy cells low on the energy that they need! At this point, there is no conclusive research showing us that eliminating dietary sources of carbohydrate and sugar results in slower cancer growth but instead, severe carbohydrate restriction causes the body to work harder than usual to make the glucose that it needs.

Question #3: Do I have to buy organic produce?

The short answer is NO! There is so much hype around “buying organic” and the “dirty dozen,” however, the truth is that it is better to be consuming more produce overall than to be concerned about organic vs. non-organic. The bottom line is that the health bene� ts of consuming more fruits and vegetables overall outweighs the potential risk of pesticide exposure from some non-organic produce. You would have to eat TONS of certain fruits or vegetables to even begin to experience adverse health reactions. For example, you would have to consume 18,100 servings of carrots in one day without any e� ect even if the carrots have the highest pesticide residue recorded for carrots by the USDA (source: The Alliance for Food and Farming).

References:1. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. “Sugar and Cancer.” July 2014. https://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/healthy-nutrition-now/sugar-and-cancer/2. The Alliance for Food and Farming. “Pesticide Residue Calculator.”

http://safefruitsandveggies.com/pesticide-calculator

“Disclaimer: This information is provided for general education purposes only; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning a diet or exercise program. Always seek the advice of a physician or other quali� ed healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.”

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