Managing weight loss and other eating problems during cancer treatment

Many people experience eating problems during and after treatment for cancer. There are lots of reasons for this. It may be because of the cancer itself, or due to side effects of different treatments.

If you have any problems with your diet, you can ask your cancer doctor to refer you to a dietitian. Qualified dietitians are experts in assessing the food needs of people who are ill. They can review your diet and take into account any specialist dietary requirements you may have. If you’re not in hospital, your GP may refer you to a community dietitian.

Macmillan has three booklets you can order for free called Eating problems and cancer, The building-up diet and Healthy eating and cancer.

Eating problems and cancer gives information about how to cope with problems such as a sore or dry mouth, taste changes, a poor appetite, difficulty swallowing, bowel problems and many more issues.

The building-up diet has suggestions on how to boost your energy and protein intake when your appetite is poor or if you’ve lost weight.

Healthy eating and cancer gives advice on how to eat well and maintain a healthy body weight.

It’s important to check with your hospital consultant, dietitian or nurse specialist to be clear which is the right booklet for you, and whether you need any additional information.

Boosting energy and protein intake for those with a poor appetite

Many people with cancer find that there are times when they can’t eat as much as usual, and sometimes they lose weight. This could be related to the cancer itself, or to the side effects of treatment. Some people find that they simply don’t feel hungry, or they feel full soon after starting a meal. Others find that food makes them feel sick, or that their treatment makes some food taste different.

Macmillan’s booklet The building-up diet gives information about how to make changes to your diet to help you gain weight. It offers suggestions on how to help boost your energy and protein intake when your appetite is poor. It also contains sample menus and a shopping list of suggested items that may help when preparing meals.   

If you have a good appetite, you shouldn’t have trouble eating the extra energy (calories) and protein that you may need if you are ill. However, if your appetite is not very good, there are a few ways you can add extra energy and protein to your diet without having to eat more food.

Here is a list of possible items to stock up on so you’ll have some high energy and high protein items within easy reach:

• Dried milk powder – You can make fortified milk by adding 2–4 tablespoons of dried milk powder to a pint of full-fat milk. Use fortified milk instead of water to make up soups, jellies, custard and puddings.
• Porridge or oatmeal – Make porridge with full-fat milk or cream. Alternatively, pour fortified milk over cereal and add honey, golden syrup or maple syrup instead of sugar.
• Lentils, beans and noodles – These can be added to casseroles and soups for extra protein.
• Butter or cream – These can be added to enrich mashed potato, or to a sauce to be served with hot vegetables.
• Snacks – Things like nuts, pasteurised cheese, fresh and dried fruit, biscuits, crackers, breadsticks with dips, yoghurts and fromage frais are handy to nibble on between meals. If you’re out of the house for some time during the day, for example attending radiotherapy appointments, consider taking some snacks with you.
  
  

More helpful tips on managing your diet and coping with eating problems caused by cancer can be found in our free diet booklets, Eating problems and cancer, The building-up diet and Healthy eating and cancer.

We're with you every step of the way

The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.

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