Undergoing chemotherapy can be a difficult process. Not only do you have to deal with the physical side effects of treatment, but you also have to make sure you are getting the right nutrition. Eating healthy, nutrient-rich meals is an important part of managing your health during chemotherapy. This page explains what to eat during chemotherapy, how to adjust food for common side effects such as nausea, taste changes, mouth sores and diarrhoea, a sample Indian day plan, food safety, and how supportive homeopathic care is offered alongside your oncology treatment.
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Eating during chemotherapy at a glance
- Aim: enough calories and protein, plenty of fluids, and foods you can tolerate; small, frequent meals work best.
- Side effects: many people have nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite; the food plan is adapted to each.
- Hydration: staying hydrated is especially important because dehydration can worsen nausea and vomiting.
- Safety: well-cooked food and clean water; avoid raw or street food when blood counts are low.
- Supplements: take only those approved by your oncologist.
What to eat during chemotherapy
Eating during chemotherapy can be a challenge. The goal is to keep your weight and strength, so choose nourishing foods when you feel able to eat.
- Protein: dal, pulses, eggs, paneer, curd, milk, fish, chicken and tofu at each meal
- Whole grains: rotis, rice, oats, millet and khichdi
- Fruits and vegetables, cooked or peeled when blood counts are low
- Healthy fats: ghee in moderation, nuts, seeds and oils
- Fluids: water, oral rehydration solution, soups, buttermilk, coconut water and diluted juices
Food and side effects: what may help
| Problem | What may help |
|---|---|
| Nausea and vomiting | Small, frequent meals; dry toast or crackers; ginger; cold or room-temperature foods; sip fluids between meals |
| Loss of appetite | Eat by the clock, not by hunger; energy-dense snacks, milk shakes, nuts; make each bite count |
| Taste changes or metallic taste | Plastic cutlery; tart flavours such as lemon; cold foods; herbs and mild spices |
| Mouth sores | Soft, moist, cool foods; avoid spicy, acidic or very hot foods; rinse with salt water |
| Diarrhoea | Plenty of fluids and salts; bananas, rice, curd, khichdi; avoid fried and spicy food |
| Constipation | Fluids, fibre, fruit and warm drinks; gentle walking with your doctor’s approval |
| Weight loss | Add protein and calories at each meal; ask for an oncology dietitian |
Increase your fluid intake
Staying hydrated is especially important during chemotherapy because dehydration can worsen side effects like nausea and vomiting. Aim for at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day unless your doctor advises a limit. Call your doctor if you cannot keep fluids down for 24 hours or have signs of dehydration such as very dark urine, dizziness or dry mouth.
A sample day plan
| Time | Example |
|---|---|
| On waking | Warm water or ginger tea, and a banana or a few soaked almonds |
| Breakfast | Vegetable poha or upma with curd, or an egg and toast |
| Mid-morning | Fruit smoothie or buttermilk with a handful of nuts |
| Lunch | Dal, rice or roti, a cooked vegetable and curd |
| Evening | Soup or khichdi, or paneer sandwich |
| Dinner | Khichdi with ghee or moong dal chilla with vegetables |
| Bedtime | Warm milk or a protein drink |
This is a sample only; your oncology dietitian can adjust it for your cancer, treatment and tastes. See also our guide to nutritional advice for cancer.
Food safety
- Wash hands, fruit and vegetables well and eat freshly cooked food
- Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, and unpasteurised milk
- Drink boiled or filtered water, and avoid street food when blood counts are low
- Check with your oncologist before taking herbal products or high-dose supplements, which can interfere with chemotherapy
Homeopathy during chemotherapy
Welling Homeopathy offers supportive care alongside chemotherapy, never instead of it, and nutritional advice is part of our 4-step protocol.
Our clinical experience
Our specially formulated Homeopathy treatment, when taken along with chemotherapy, can reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy and normalise digestion, at the earliest.
Please tell your oncologist about every medicine and supplement you take. A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, bleeding, severe vomiting or breathlessness during chemotherapy needs urgent attention at your cancer hospital.
Frequently asked questions about eating during chemotherapy
1. What should I eat during chemotherapy?
Small, frequent, protein-rich meals, plenty of fluids and foods you can tolerate, adapted to your side effects.
2. What can I eat when I feel nauseous?
Dry toast or crackers, ginger, cold or room-temperature foods and small sips of fluid between meals.
3. How much water should I drink during chemotherapy?
About 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day unless your doctor advises otherwise; dehydration worsens nausea and vomiting.
4. Should I avoid sugar during chemotherapy?
Extreme restriction is not helpful and can cause weight loss. Choose balanced meals and limit sugary drinks and sweets.
5. Can I take supplements during chemotherapy?
Only if your oncologist approves, because some supplements can interfere with treatment.
6. What foods should I avoid during chemotherapy?
Raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, unpasteurised products, street food and anything your dietitian advises against for your blood counts.
7. Can homeopathy reduce chemotherapy side effects?
Welling Homeopathy reports that its supportive treatment taken along with chemotherapy can reduce side effects and normalise digestion; results vary from person to person, and it does not replace oncology care.
8. When should I call my oncologist about eating problems?
If you cannot keep fluids down for 24 hours, lose weight quickly, have a very sore mouth or severe diarrhoea, or have fever.
Related Reading
- Nutritional Advice for Cancer Prevention and During Treatment: What to Eat and What to Avoid
- 4 Step Cancer Treatment at Welling Homeopathy: Supportive Care Alongside Your Oncology Treatment
- Homeopathy Specialist for Cancer
- Understanding Cancer Care at Welling Homeopathy
- Advancements in Bone Marrow Transplant: What They Mean for Blood Cancer Patients
- Do Your Emotions Cause Cancer? The Mind–Body Link, Stress and Supportive Care
To consult Welling Homeopathy experts, call +91 80 80 850 950.
Disclaimer: this page is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary from person to person.
