How to Eat Well While Being Treated for Breast Cancer Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Breast Cancer How to Eat Well During Breast Cancer Treatment Surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation can affect your appetite, energy level, and weight. Here’s how to keep up with your body’s nutritional needs. By Sheryl KraftMedically Reviewed by Thomas Urban Marron, MD, PhDReviewed: April 10, 2018Medically ReviewedEating well is important while you're undergoing breast cancer treatment.Burger/Phanie/Getty ImagesEveryone responds differently to breast cancer treatment. Some people experience no change in their normal appetite, while others have little interest in food because of side effects like nausea, a change in their sense of taste or smell, or general fatigue. Some people gain weight, some people lose weight. In addition, breast cancer comes with a few particular nutritional concerns. A study published in February 2015 in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, for example, found that although weight loss was more common among cancer patients overall, breast cancer patients, in particular, were more likely to gain weight than people with other types of cancers. That’s a problem, because fat cells manufacture estrogen, which fuels the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. As a result, being overweight can actually increase the risk of a recurrence. What’s more, “eating right can promote healing, faster recovery, help fight or lower infection risk, and help with your strength and energy levels,” says Mamta Kalidas, MD, an oncologist based in Beaumont, Texas, and a medical editor for the American Cancer Society. Despite these concerns, the same study in Nutrition and Cancer found that physicians often don’t discuss the subject of nutrition with their patients. “That makes it important for women know how to get optimal nutrition during treatment,” says Dr. Kalidas. Among the key recommendations: Lean toward vegetables. “Get them any way you can,” says Isabel Smith, a registered dietitian in New York City and the founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition. “Incorporate them into smoothies, soups, fresh juices, cooked, or raw salads.” Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables combined with walking 30 minutes six days a week significantly boosted survival rates for women with breast cancer. What about organic vs. conventional produce? While it's better to stay away from pesticides and chemicals, there's no solid evidence to say that doing so will prevent cancer or aggravate an existing diagnosis. The benefits of eating a rich variety of fruits and vegetables each day far outweighs the potential risks associated with pesticides and chemicals. Consume whole-grain breads and cereals. Whole grains have more nutrition than processed grains, which have been stripped of important nutrients. Whole grains are also rich in fiber, protein, B vitamins, and minerals. Look for the words "100 percent whole grain" or "100 percent whole wheat" on labels. Limit foods high in sugars. Too much sugar can cause weight gain, which research has associated with poorer prognosis and higher recurrence and mortality rates compared with women who maintained their weight. Less than 10 percent of your daily calories should come from added sugars, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations. Sugars that sound healthy (but aren't) include brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fruit juice concentrate, honey, raw sugar, and turbinado sugar. Consult the label on food packes to check for added sugars. Drink 100 percent pasteurized fruit or vegetable juices. Some cancer treatments can weaken your body’s immune system and make it tougher to fight off infections, says Kalidas. Pasteurization helps destroy potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria in foods and liquids like eggs, milk, yogurt, cheeses, and fruit juices like apple cider. Most canned juices and nonrefrigerated shelf-stable juices are pasteurized, as are bottles or cans and frozen concentrates. Check the label, which will contain a warning if the juice is unpasteurized. Opt for vegetarian meals a few days a week. Filling your diet with vegetables is not only healthy, but it also helps to lower your intake of red and processed meat, which is linked to an increased risk of several cancers. And it helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, says a study published in the December 2011 issue of the journal Cancer Management and Research. You may even begin to prefer eating this way. According to the same Nutrition and Cancer study, researchers found that breast cancer patients were more likely to choose a vegetarian diet than patients with other types of cancers. Don't worry if you don't have fresh vegetables on hand. Frozen vegetables are just as good and possibly even better, since they're processed immediately after harvesting, which minimizes nutrient loss. Eat small, frequent, protein-rich snacks. Cancer treatments and surgery can put extra demands on your body, and you may need more protein. Protein helps support your immune system and reduce infection risk. Frequent snacking can keep your energy up and help keep nausea at bay, too. “These are easy to make and keep handy throughout the day,” says Kalidas. A couple of good options: low-fat yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and cheese and crackers. Choose proteins that are low in saturated fat. They have cardiovascular benefits and can help reduce calories. Good options include lean meat and poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Include soft foods. Pudding, applesauce, cooked cereals, and liquid food supplements supply calories and a variety of healthy nutrients that are generally well-tolerated and helpful if you have trouble eating during treatment. Remember healthy fats like avocado, nuts, and seeds. “They’re anti-inflammatory and will also help promote healthy digestion,” says Smith. Don’t overdo alcohol. Alcohol can interfere with the action of some chemotherapy drugs, according to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. On the other hand, moderate drinking can have cardiovascular benefits, and doing “normal” things you’d do when not undergoing treatment — like having a glass of wine — can have mental health benefits. Ask your doctor whether an occasional drink would be okay with your treatment regimen. And finally, if your appetite is less than stellar, “do your best to keep eating, and eat the foods that appeal to you,” says Smith. But remember to take the opportunity to “sneak in some healthy foods whenever you can.” When you're undergoing treatment, food can be one of the most important medicines. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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