Soothing Summer Foods to Help With Cancer Treatment Side Effects
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10 Soothing Summer Foods to Help With Cancer Treatment Side Effects

10 Soothing Summer Foods to Help With Cancer Treatment Side Effects
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Published on June 10, 2026
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Summer is the time for backyard barbecues and pool cookouts, but if you’re undergoing treatment for cancer, foods like hamburgers, coleslaw, and brownies may have lost their appeal.

Chemotherapy and radiation, for example, may cause nausea, mouth sores, and appetite changes. But getting plenty of good nutrition during your treatment can help you keep up your strength, tolerate side effects, and heal faster.

This seasonal fare can help. Here are 10 healthy foods that are filled with fluids or other healthy vitamins and minerals that can help you feel better this summer.

Cucumber

The side effects of cancer treatment can cause nausea, vomiting, and fever, which can lead to dehydration; a lack of fluid could also lead to low blood pressure, fatigue, and even kidney or liver damage.

 If you can’t fill up on fluids alone, try eating some cucumbers, which are about 96 percent water.
You can make a refreshing chilled cucumber soup, or slice and toss them into a salad with some tomato, which is also mostly water.

Watermelon

Watermelon also has a high water content, which can help combat dehydration. "One cup of watermelon contains over one-half cup of water, not to mention vitamins and minerals like vitamins C and A, magnesium, and potassium," says Carly Roop, RD, a clinical dietitian specialist at Abramson Cancer Center Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

She suggests bringing a watermelon feta salad topped with mint and balsamic vinegar to your next cookout. Honeydew and cantaloupe are good substitutes.

Greek Yogurt

Yogurt contains helpful bacteria called probiotics that are good for your digestive health.

 Plus, the Greek variety is full of protein, with nearly 9 grams (g) per 3-ounce (oz) serving.

 "Protein is important for people with cancer who have a low appetite," says Annie Cavalier, RDN, the founder of My Healthful Life, a nutrition and lifestyle blog.
Yogurt is also rich in bone-strengthening calcium — which is particularly helpful for people undergoing treatments that can weaken bones and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

You can buy Greek yogurt at the store in containers or grab-and-go packets. Or, you can buy frozen Greek yogurt to eat it in popsicle form. To make your own lower-sugar version at home, try blending yogurt with fruit like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries and freezing it in an ice tray, says Cavalier.

Trail Mix

A mixture of dried fruit and nuts offers a burst of quick energy — in small, snackable portions — when you're tired, says Roop.

Homemade or store-bought energy or granola bars that contain at least 200 calories are good to grab and go when you're away from home. Or sprinkle some trail mix on your yogurt to add more flavor and nutrition to a snack.

Hummus

Hummus — which is made from mashed chickpeas and blended with tahini (roasted sesame paste), garlic, and lemon juice — is a popular Middle Eastern dish that’s also packed with protein. A half-cup serving contains about 10 g of protein.

Spread hummus on pita bread or serve it as a dip with cut vegetables. If mouth sores are a problem, leave out the lemon juice.

Coconut Water

Coconut water consists of 95 percent water, but it also contains electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, and protein, along with catechins, the same antioxidants in green tea that are known for their anti-cancer effects.

You can drink coconut water on its own, or as a base for a mocktail. It can also be used to make strawberry lemonade or blended with frozen raspberries and mango in slushies.

Chicken

Lean animal protein is important for maintaining muscle strength during cancer treatment.

 "For the summer, you can choose lighter types like chicken, rather than a heavy piece of steak," suggests Maria Ferreira, a registered dietitian at Hartford Health Care in Hartford, Connecticut. (Turkey and fish are other light protein sources.)
You don’t have to eat a whole chicken breast, though. Try chopping up the chicken and eating what you can in a salad, casserole, or soup.

Beans

You need protein to keep up your energy levels and maintain muscle mass. But if you're vegetarian or vegan, or you simply want to mix up your protein sources, beans are a good alternative.

You can add beans to casseroles, soups, and salads, or try other legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, or peas.

Eggs

Two eggs contain more than 12 g of protein, along with nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, choline, and vitamin A.

 Eggs are also gentle on the stomach and mouth, which can be helpful if you're experiencing nausea or mouth sores.
Whether you eat them scrambled or hardboiled, make sure to cook your eggs all the way to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

Avocado

Avocado is rich in healthy fats, which can be helpful for people struggling to eat enough calories during their treatment.

 Plus, it’s easy on your stomach and easy to eat — two things that can help with nausea and mouth sores, respectively.

Chop up avocado to make guacamole or eat it "in smoothies or on toast in the morning with eggs," Ferreira says.

Ways to Prepare Summer Foods

If you're short on energy, use these tips to prepare your favorite seasonal fare.

1. Make a Smoothie

If you’re experiencing nausea, appetite loss, or mouth sores, try drinking your foods instead of eating them. A smoothie — made with foods such as Greek yogurt, bananas, nut butter, and grated ginger (to help quell nausea), for example — may go down easier and be more tolerable than solid foods would.

2. Eat Food Cold

"Colder foods can be really helpful for people if they're experiencing nausea," says Cavalier, who recommends eating chicken, beans, and chickpeas in cold pasta-salad form.

3. Cook Your Food in a Slow Cooker

Using a Crock-Pot seems more appropriate for winter, but it's a quick and easy way to make summertime meals, too. Foods soften up in the slow cooker, making them easier to chew when your mouth is sore, says Ferreira.

4. Skip Grilled Meats (at Least Occasionally)

One cooking technique you may want to rethink? Grilling meat. When beef, pork, poultry, and fish are grilled at high temperatures, they produce compounds that, according to animal research, may increase the risk of cancer.

You don't have to give up grilling, but consider adding more grilled produce to your plate. Think: corn on the cob, zucchini, and tomatoes, for example. You can also marinate meat, which can help protect it from charring, says Roop, and then wrapping it in tinfoil to prevent further smoke exposure.

The Takeaway

  • The side effects of certain cancer treatments, including nausea and mouth sores, can suppress your appetite. There are certain summer foods, though, that are easy on your stomach and can help you maintain your strength.
  • Try to eat foods that are rich in protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients. Avocado, beans, and cucumbers are good options.
  • If you don’t have much of an appetite, try chopping your food into smaller pieces or blending it into a smoothie.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
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Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, is the founder and lead dietitian at Maya Feller Nutrition. In her practice, her team provides medical nutrition therapy and nutrition coaching for hormon...

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