What to Eat During Chemotherapy

You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed and food preparation seems like way too much.

There are days during chemotherapy when deciding what to eat feels insurmountable.

I've spoken with people who told me they were too weak to cook, nothing tasted good, and even thinking about food felt overwhelming.

If that's where you are today, hopefully, I can help a little, here.

What the fuck?

The foods you normally think of as healthy aren't always the safest choice during treatment.

When most of us think about eating healthy, we picture fresh salads, raw vegetables, fruit, and sushi. During chemotherapy, however, your body is playing by a different set of rules.

One of the effects of chemotherapy is that it can lower your white blood cell count, making it harder for your immune system to fight off bacteria that a healthy person might never even notice.

That means foods you normally eat without a second thought can carry a higher risk of making you seriously ill.

Fresh Isn't Always Safest

Organic produce is wonderful under normal circumstances, but it still grows in soil and is often fertilized with natural manure. Even after careful washing, bacteria can remain.

Normally your immune system would deal with that without much trouble.

During chemotherapy, it may not.

For that reason, many oncology teams recommend avoiding raw fruits and vegetables unless they've been properly washed, peeled, or cooked. Some may recommend avoiding them altogether during periods when your immune system is especially weak. Always follow the guidance of your oncology team, as recommendations may vary based on your treatment and blood counts.

The same caution applies to:

• Raw salads

• Sprouts

• Raw seafood and sushi

• Undercooked meat

• Unpasteurized dairy products

• Foods that have been sitting out at room temperature

Cooking food thoroughly helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

Make Eating Easier on Yourself

There will probably be days when you simply don't have the energy to cook.

This is the time to let family and friends help.

Instead of asking, "Can you make dinner tonight?" consider asking them to prepare several containers of soup that can be frozen in individual portions. On difficult days, you'll have something nourishing ready to heat without spending your limited energy in the kitchen.

Why Soup Becomes Such a Good Choice

A hearty homemade soup can be one of the easiest meals to tolerate during treatment.

It's gentle on the stomach, easy to digest, and can provide protein, vegetables, and fluids all in one bowl.

One of my favorites is split pea soup.

The peas cook quickly, naturally thicken the broth, and create a satisfying meal without feeling heavy. From there, you can add cooked vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, or spinach, depending on what appeals to you that day.

If fish is something you enjoy, a simple fish soup can also be an excellent option. Growing up in the Caribbean, fish tea was always considered comforting, nourishing, and surprisingly filling without being too rich.

Choose Frozen Vegetables

One of the best shortcuts during chemotherapy is frozen vegetables.

They're picked and frozen at peak freshness, they're already washed and prepared, and they're perfect for adding directly into soups and stews.

Keeping bags of frozen vegetables in the freezer also means you're more likely to have something nutritious available on days when shopping or cooking feels impossible.

Listen to Your Body

Chemotherapy affects everyone differently.

Some days the smell of food may make you nauseated before you even take a bite. Other days, foods may taste completely different than they used to.

That's okay.

Work with what your body is willing to accept that day. The goal isn't to eat perfectly, it's to nourish yourself as safely and as comfortably as possible while your body focuses on healing.