Food as Medicine

Check out our nutritional tips for managing side effects of cancer treatment

Cancer and its treatment can wreak havoc on your diet. That's why the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center's registered dietitians, Joan Daniels and Nancy Burke, devote most of their practice to helping patients cope with symptoms and side effects. They put together a checklist with ideas about how to handle common concerns patients face.


Constipation	Diarrhea	Dry Mouth and Thick Saliva
DO Stay well-hydrated: try warm juice or hot lemonade Eat high-fiber foods if possible Eat at regular times daily DON'T Drink with a straw Chew gum Skip exercise: Even a light walk daily can help	DO Sip fluids slowly and constantly Eat foods high in soluble fiber, like bananas, white rice and oatmeal Eat small, frequent snacks DON'T Consume acidic fruits or beverages Eat raw veggies or whole-grain breads Eat greasy, fatty foods Consume caffeine	DO Sip fluids slowly and constantly Stay well-hydrated Keep your mouth clean Use a cool-mist humidifier Eat soft, cool, bland foods Suck on lemon drops, ice chips or popsicles DON'T Use commercial mouthwashes; try 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. salt in 1 quart water Drink alcohol or acidic beverages Smoke Consume caffeine

Mouth Sores	Nausea	Taste Changes
DO Eat soft, cool, bland foods Drink with a straw Rinse mouth with 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. salt in 1 quart water DON'T Drink acidic juices or eat acidic foods Consume caffeine Smoke Eat hot foods Eat salty foods Suck tart candies Chew tough foods	DO Eat small, frequent meals Sip fluids slowly and constantly Eat bland, dry, salty, starchy foods Try ginger ales, ginger tea or ginger candy Talk to your doctor about anti-nausea medicine DON'T Eat hot foods with strong odors Eat greasy, fried, spicy or sweet food Eat in a stuffy room with cooking odors Lay down after eating Drink coffee	DO Practice good oral hygiene Suck on mints or chew gum Rinse mouth with teas, salted water or ginger ale Use tart foods to mask metallic or sweet tastes Increase sugar if food tastes bland DON'T Stop eating; think of food as medicine to get you through Use metal utensils or drink from cans if food tastes metallic