Simple Meal Strategies for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Even if your weight stays the same, muscle loss during treatment is also common and can lead to fatigue and loss of strength. “Our muscles are important for strength and mobility, but they’re also important in terms of immunity and recovery,” says Gillian Richardson, a clinical dietitian at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

So it’s important to view your diet as part of treatment, says Karla Giboyeaux, RD, who practices at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Ralph Lauren Center in Harlem, New York. “In fact, maintaining weight and muscle can help you tolerate treatment as best as you can.” This may reduce the need to reschedule or skip treatments because your body can’t tolerate them.

• Metallic Taste “Avoid eating with metallic utensils, cooking with a cast iron skillet, or drinking from a can,” says Giboyeaux. “Meats can also be challenging to eat, because they contain iron, but marinating meats with a little sweetness and a little acidity can be helpful.” If meat doesn’t cut it for you, opt for other protein sources, such as cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, or lentils.
• Salty or Bitter Taste “Sometimes foods might be salty or bitter, so you can try to counter that by adding something sweet like some jam or some honey, agave, or maple syrup,” says Richardson.
• Overly Sweet Taste “If foods are tasting too sweet, then add salts or something sour like lemon or lime juice or vinegar,” says Richardson.
• Bland Taste “If things taste bland, increase seasonings using things like herbs, onion, or garlic or condiments like ketchup or mustard to help increase the flavor,” says Richardson.
• Nausea and Odor Sensitivity “Avoid dishes that are very aromatic like curry and stews, which can be triggering,” says Giboyeaux. She also recommends opening the windows for ventilation while cooking, as the smells can trigger nausea, especially if you have odor sensitivity.
• Poor Appetite “Eating on a schedule can be helpful instead of relying on feeling hungry,” says Richardson. “Set reminders on your phone to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.”

Remember, everyone responds to treatment differently. “It may just be that you’re feeling these side effects for a few days after an infusion, or it may have a cumulative effect as you go through multiple treatment cycles,” says Richardson. “But it can be helpful to plan ahead.”

• Stock the fridge with some go-to options. “Cold preparations are often easier to tolerate — like quinoa and black bean salad, chicken or tuna salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, and gazpacho,” says Giboyeaux.
• Keep pantry staples on hand. Stock up on nutrient-dense options, such as applesauce, bone broth, lentils, nut and seed butters, and olive oil. “You can also use protein drinks like Boost or Ensure as a small meal, so you’re not having to worry about cooking or preparing foods,” says Richardson.
• Meal prep when you have energy. “Prepare large amounts of food ahead of time and freeze them, so you can heat them up without having to worry about cooking every day or every meal,” says Richardson.
• Pack protein into every meal and snack. This helps you get the most out of each bite. “For example, have a mandarin orange with cottage cheese or a banana with some peanut butter,” says Giboyeaux.
• Lean on smoothies. “Smoothies are great, because the aroma is not too strong,” says Giboyeaux. Combine a base (such as avocado, full-fat yogurt, or nut butter) with gentle anti-inflammatory ingredients (such as spinach or wild berries) for a nutrient-packed smoothie. You can also consider throwing in some protein powder for an extra boost.
• Move your body. It may sound counterintuitive, but staying active can give you the energy boost you need to prepare healthy meals and snacks and help your body process the nutrients from the foods you eat.

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   Movement can also help maintain muscle mass and reduce fatigue. “If you’re getting good protein intake, and you’re not moving your body, unfortunately, that protein is not going to go to your muscles,” says Richardson. “You have to stimulate your muscles for that protein to get to them, so try to keep your body moving each day.” She suggests going for walks, doing arm curls with light weights while watching TV, or practicing calf or leg raises when sitting.
• Stay hydrated. For some people, cancer treatment can make water taste strange, so find other ways to stay hydrated, says Giboyeaux. She recommends alternatives such as ginger or lemon tea, electrolyte drinks, diluted fruit juice, coconut water, and broth-based soups to help boost your liquid intake. Sip slowly between meals, so it doesn’t affect your appetite.

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“You can also reach out to your oncologist and ask if there is a dietitian available at your cancer center,” says Richardson. This can be an especially helpful resource to help you manage any unintentional weight loss or nutrition-related side effects, she says.