What to Eat While Undergoing Chemoimmunotherapy

But this combination of chemo and immunotherapy can also come with side effects, such as appetite loss, low energy, and nausea, which can make eating healthy a challenge. Luckily, there are some nutrient-dense foods you can incorporate into your diet with just a little effort that can help you manage those symptoms, as well as support treatment.

The foods you eat during chemoimmunotherapy may largely depend on how you’re feeling.

“When you’re feeling generally well, you’re encouraged to incorporate healthy eating practices,” says Vanessa Salino, RD, a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. “Good nutrition should focus on a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fluids.”

She recommends incorporating the following foods into your diet during chemoimmunotherapy.

1. Leafy Green Vegetables

“Cruciferous vegetables are well researched to be protective and contain nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and fiber,” says Salino.

She suggests incorporating vegetables into soups. “When reheating chicken noodle or tomato soup on the stovetop, adding some kale — fresh or frozen — provides more nutritional value.”

2. Berries

“Berries — like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries — are rich in antioxidants,” says Salino. “The tangy or tart flavors of berries can also be helpful when experiencing taste changes and nausea.”

She suggests adding berries to hot or cold cereal or yogurt. Fresh berries are already fairly easy to prepare when you’re tired: Just wash and eat. But prewashed frozen berries may be even easier and won’t spoil as quickly.

3. Squash and Root Vegetables

“Butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots are rich in the protective compounds called carotenoids, while being gentle on digestion,” says Salino. “Some of the many benefits of carotenoids include eye health, heart health, and cancer protection.”

These veggies can be cooked in soups or stews or roasted in the oven for an easy side dish or main course.

4. Melon

“Good fruit choices for loose stools can include melons like cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon,” says Salino. They’re also hydrating and can taste refreshing in a fruit salad or as a snack with yogurt or nut butter.

5. Fatty Fish

Salmon, sardines, and other fatty fish are good protein sources and have omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health, says Salino. Protein can help you maintain a healthy weight and lean muscle mass during treatment.

If you’re not into the taste of fish right now, Salino suggests using a marinade, such as honey mustard or orange juice and teriyaki sauce. If you have a metallic taste in your mouth — another potential side effect of treatment — avoid metal cookware for now and use a glass baking dish instead.

6. Nuts

Nuts are a good source of protein and contain omega-3s, says Salino. Sprinkle them on your cereal or yogurt along with fruit, add them to salads, or top fish with them.

7. Nonmeat Proteins

If meat and fish are unappealing due to taste changes, nausea, or low appetite, Salino recommends eating nut or seed butters and yogurt. Protein shakes and smoothies can also help you get enough protein when you’re struggling with appetite or experiencing other symptoms, such as a sore mouth or throat, that make it hard to eat.

During chemoimmunotherapy, hydration is especially vital. Salino explains that fluids help flush treatment waste from the body and protect vital organs. Good hydration can also help you manage constipation or diarrhea.

Ask your care team how much fluid they recommend you drink per day. It’s a good idea to keep water with you at all times, so you can sip often. But if you’re finding it challenging to drink enough water, try these tips:

• Splurge on a large water bottle, thermos, or straw cup that you like and can keep with you at all times
• Add fresh or frozen fruit or a splash of fruit juice for added flavor
• Sip on an iced herbal tea in a flavor that calms queasiness, such as cranberry or hibiscus

When you’re not feeling well, it can be harder to get balanced nutrition. It’s okay to focus more on eating what you can keep down, what doesn’t aggravate symptoms, and what’s going to help restore some of your energy.

Here are some ways to make those tough days easier:

• Prep ahead when you can. When you have the energy, stock up and prepare foods that will be easy to grab and eat when your energy is low. Focus on items that are shelf stable or can be refrigerated or frozen and reheated.
• Eat more often, in smaller quantities. Eating five or six small meals each day can help you pack in more nutrition if your appetite is low. It can help you manage nausea, too. You may also want to make sure you have some bland options on hand in case of stomach upset, Salino says.
• Adjust your fiber intake. Keep an eye on digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, and adjust the amount of fiber you’re eating, if needed. A higher fiber intake can improve constipation, and a lower fiber intake can help relieve diarrhea.
• Find comforting flavors. Experiment to see which flavors help you cope with nausea. Salino recommends ginger tea and ginger candies. Citrus flavors, such as lemon and lime, may be helpful, as well.

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• Try cold foods. If cooking smells are making you nauseous, consider subbing in cold foods, such as chicken salad, egg salad, or tuna salad.
• Set up a snack station. Keep some of your favorite healthy foods by your favorite chair or bed for easy snacking while you rest. For example, it could be crackers and a jar of peanut butter or a container of nuts. “Bottled nutrition shakes are generally shelf stable and can be left near the couch or bedside and can supplement your diet when you’re eating fewer meals and snacks than needed,” says Salino.

While you’re undergoing chemoimmunotherapy, nutrition can help you feel stronger, reduce symptoms, and encourage healing. But it’s important to allow yourself some grace when it comes to how you’re eating, especially during difficult days.

“Embrace that your diet may not look like how you envision it all the time,” says Salino. “There’s no need to strive for perfection when it comes to eating through treatment.”

Always consult your oncology team before making any significant dietary changes. “A registered dietitian specializing in oncology can help provide customized, good-quality advice,” says Salino.

• A balanced diet that includes nutrient-dense foods can support you during chemoimmunotherapy treatment for cancer.
• Focus on vegetables and fruits, protein, healthy fats, and adequate hydration.
• Treatment can cause side effects that make it harder to eat healthy. When you’re not feeling well, adjust your diet to ease symptoms.
• On days you’re feeling better, prepare easy-to-eat, nutritious foods for later.