Breast cancer chemo and diet

I made sure I had plenty of fruit but didn't make any major diet changes. I have found I can only eat smaller portions. But I was fortunate I didn't have any mouth issues so could pretty much eat what I fancied. 

I think the advice is to eat a normal healthy diet with fruit and veg etc. I think there is something on the main macmillan site.

I didn't make any major changes to my diet though as we eat fairly health anyway. I did try and stay hydrated with lots of squash. I did allow more unhealthy snacks in the house to help with the nausea. Especially ginger biscuits, ice cream and ice lollies. Snacking helped with the queziness of morning sickness years ago and I hoped it would help, which it did. I was also lucky to not experience too many taste or sore mouth issues but knowing we had some stuff I might need/like in the house was reassuring. 

On my good days before chemo I came up with a list of meals I might fancy the following week when I was at my post chemo dip. That way my husband knew what were good things to cook rather giving me something I just didn't fancy. Often it was comfort food like shepherds pie, bolognese etc. He also would put extra veg in them. 

I am now at radiotherapy and eating our normal healthy diet with less unhealthy snacks. I was told to not to try and lose weight during radiotherapy so my body shape is consistent. So still having the odd unhealthy snack or takeaway etc without worrying.

Eat what you can/fancy whilst you are having treatment along side a healthy diet.Good luck with the chemo and radiotherapy. 

Hi, as others have said, I think a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and veg is good, but certainly for me, there were days when I felt very nauseous and couldn't eat much - toast and porridge were good then.  Also, I got the side effect that everything tasted horrible - pineapple and cucumber were the most bearable things at this time.  So perhaps plan to be flexible. Best of luck with your chemo.

Hi Lotts82,

you don’t have to change your diet if you’re already eating healthily just like everyone said here. I had nausea and vomiting and eating anything at all was recommended to sustain energy no matter how little but often. I lost my sense of taste halfway through my treatment until now so I eat for texture and basically feed myself. My brain remembers which foods I like so even if I can’t taste them I still eat the food I fancy.
Maggie’s run a food workshop specifically for people with cancer. Contact them if you are interested.

There is one thing I have just remembered. The one food I was told not to eat by chemo nurses was grapefruit. Think there is something in them that can interact with chemo drugs.

grapefruit interacts with all kinds of medication. don’t eat it, first off its bleh, second its meh and third it affects any and all medication and feelings of happiness.

it was an 80s diet food we should let go 

My diet has changed, but I think this is due to my tastes changing and craving more healthy food (I think this is subconscious). If you are considering ways to help with your immune system then yes, make sure you are eating a healthy and well rounded diet, but ensure you are eating lots of protein. Eating lots of protein will help with energy levels, heal tissue s and boost immunity. The medical team like you to maintain your weight during treatment, I have lost 10lb after 3 treatments, but I think that is to do with not wanting sweet food.   I also can’t emphasise the importance of upping your water intake. 

H have found eating little and often helps after treatment. but that is because I have been feeling so sick! It will depend what drugs you are being given as part of your treatment how you will react and what medication you will need. As part of my programme I have steroids and this apparently make you crave unhealthy food, but I haven’t found this at all! 

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/diet-problems/managing/putting-on-weight/boosting-energy

I hope this is helpful and we are all different. But my white blood cells have remained high and I’m convinced it is to do with my diet!

all the best for your journey and recovery x