What to Eat With Endometrial Cancer
CancerUterine Cancer

9 of the Best Foods for Endometrial Cancer

These foods will help you feel stronger and more energetic during endometrial cancer treatment.
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Published on September 11, 2025
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9 of the Best Foods for Endometrial Cancer

Learn about the top foods that can help support your body during endometrial cancer treatment.
The main treatments for endometrial (uterine) cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. While dietary changes won't stop or reverse endometrial cancer, it can help you feel better while you’re going through treatment.

"Cancer and its treatments can cause … symptoms that affect appetite, digestion, and nutrient absorption," says Danielle L. Baham, RD, a senior dietitian in supportive oncology and survivorship at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California. "Nutrition plays a key role in treatment tolerance, recovery, and quality of life."

Nutritious foods are no replacement for the cancer treatments that an oncologist and other members of your healthcare team prescribe. But research suggests that a well-balanced diet high in healthy fats, protein, and vegetables, and low in sugar and inflammatory foods (such as red and processed meats) may lead to a better outcome, including an improved chance of survival.

1

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt
"Patients [who are] undergoing active treatment may need more calories than usual, especially calories from protein," says Amanda Celone, RD, an outpatient oncology dietitian at Yale New Haven Health and Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. Greek yogurt is higher in protein and lower in sugar than other types of yogurt. It's also a good source of calcium to keep bones strong. And yogurt contains beneficial bacteria called probiotics for healthy and regular bowel movements.

Each 5.5 ounce (oz) container of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt contains 16 grams (g) of protein, 173 milligrams (mg) of calcium, and other nutrients like magnesium and phosphorus. Because Greek yogurt is typically low in lactose (or you can buy lactose-free varieties), it shouldn't make diarrhea from cancer treatments worse.

2

Nut Butter

Peanut butter
Nut butter (like peanut butter or almond butter) is another great source of protein. Spread it on whole-grain toast, crackers, or apple slices. Or use nut butter (or whole nuts like walnuts or sliced almonds) as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese, or cereal. It adds fiber, too.

 Many nuts, like walnuts, have additional anti-inflammatory effects in the body, says Baham. When buying nut butters, read the ingredients list to make sure it doesn’t contain added sugars.
3

Broccoli

Broccoli
Broccoli, as well as other cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower, are rich in phytonutrients — plant compounds with numerous health benefits. One of the specific phytonutrients they contain, isothiocyanates, has anti-inflammatory and DNA repairing properties, says Baham. Another phytochemical, sulforaphane, may help fight cancer.

Broccoli is also high in fiber (which prevents constipation from cancer treatment), as well as folate, carotenoids, and vitamin C, says Baham.

4

Flaxseeds

Flax seeds
Researchers have investigated flaxseeds and their influence on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other cancer types. Studies on these nutrient-rich seeds of the flax plant have often focused on alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) — a type of omega-3 fatty acid — and lignans, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

 Research on flaxseeds have shown mixed results, and more human studies are needed.
In addition to these health-promoting fatty acids, flaxseeds are full of insoluble and soluble fiber — 23 g in each 3.5 oz serving.

 Adding them to your diet can help prevent constipation. "Ground flaxseeds can easily be mixed into things like yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies," suggests Celone.
High fiber foods also reduce the risk of being overweight or having obesity, which could lower your risk of cancer in the future.

 A study of endometrial cancer patients found that those who gained weight during treatment follow-up had an increased risk of cancer recurrence compared with those who did not gain weight.

5

Oatmeal

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the easiest foods for people with cancer to tolerate. Its bland taste makes it go down easy when nausea is an issue (although you can add a dash of cinnamon or a teaspoon of honey for a bit of sweetness). The type of fiber that oatmeal contains, beta-glucan, is good for managing both diarrhea and constipation, which are common side effects of cancer treatments.

 Beta-glucans are also known for increasing immune system activity.

Fortified oatmeal cereal contains nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

6

Edamame

Edamame
These edible soybeans contain isoflavones, plant chemicals that have estrogen-like effects in the body.

 Some research suggests that the isoflavones found in whole soy foods such as edamame might protect against cancer.

 Whether this means that women who've already been diagnosed with endometrial cancer will have a lower risk of recurrence if they eat soy isn't known.
7

Chicken Breast

Chicken Breast
Skinless chicken breast is a good source of protein with 32 g per 3.5 oz serving.

Just make sure that the chicken is fully cooked to prevent foodborne illness. The inside shouldn't be pink, and a food thermometer placed in the center of the breast should register 165 degrees F.

8

Fruit Juice Popsicles

Fruit popsicle

Drinking enough fluid is important to prevent dehydration, especially when cancer treatment causes diarrhea. If you can't get enough hydration from water alone, there are other options.

"Try flavoring water to make it more appealing, or eating hydrating foods such as fruit or popsicles," suggests Celone. Prune, apple, and orange juice may also ease constipation, whether you drink it or eat it frozen as a popsicle.

9

Applesauce

Apple Sauce
Applesauce is a good food to keep in the pantry during cancer treatment. Apples are a source of insoluble fiber. Applesauce is easier to swallow than whole apples or other foods if sores from chemotherapy are causing mouth pain.

 It's also easy on the digestive tract, which is helpful when you have nausea or diarrhea, says Celone.

The Takeaway

  • A healthy diet isn't a treatment for endometrial cancer, but it can help you keep up your strength and better tolerate cancer treatments.
  • Bland, high-fiber foods like oatmeal and applesauce can help with nausea and diarrhea.
  • Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are useful for preventing constipation.
  • Chicken, nut butter, and Greek yogurt are good sources of protein to maintain strength.
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Reyna Franco, RDN

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Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Reyna Franco, RDN, is a New York City–based dietitian-nutritionist, certified specialist in sports dietetics, and certified personal trainer. She is a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and has a master's degree in nutrition and exercise physiology from Columbia University.

In her private practice, she provides medical nutrition therapy for weight management, sports nutrition, diabetes, cardiac disease, renal disease, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, food allergies, eating disorders, and childhood nutrition. To serve her diverse patients, she demonstrates cultural sensitivity and knowledge of customary food practices. She applies the tenets of lifestyle medicine to reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve health outcomes for her patients.

Franco is also a corporate wellness consultant who conducts wellness counseling and seminars for organizations of every size. She taught sports nutrition to medical students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, taught life cycle nutrition and nutrition counseling to undergraduate students at LaGuardia Community College, and precepts nutrition students and interns. She created the sports nutrition rotation for the New York Distance Dietetic Internship program.

She is the chair of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine's Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist Member Interest Group. She is also the treasurer and secretary of the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, having previously served in many other leadership roles for the organization, including as past president, awards committee chair, and grant committee chair, among others. She is active in the local Greater New York Dietetic Association and Long Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, too.

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Stephanie Watson

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Stephanie Watson is a freelance health writer who has contributed to WebMD, AARP.org, BabyCenter, Forbes Health, Fortune Well, Time, Self, Arthritis Today, Greatist, Healthgrades, and HealthCentral. Previously, she was the executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch and Mount Sinai’s Focus on Healthy Aging. She has also written more than 30 young adult books on subjects ranging from celebrity biographies to brain injuries in football.
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Resources
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  8. Flaxseed, Ground. U.S. Department of Agriculture FoodData Central. April 28, 2022.
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  12. Does Eating Soy Increase Estrogen and Cause Breast Cancer? Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. July 27, 2022.
  13. Chicken, Broiler or Fryers, Breast, Skinless, Boneless, Meat Only, Cooked, Braised. U.S. Department of Agriculture FoodData Central. April 1, 2019.
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