Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients

Taking the best possible care of your body during cancer treatment can help improve your overall well-being. Proper nutrition can boost your immune system, keep up your strength, and reduce fatigue.

After your cancer treatment, these healthy habits — including nutrition, exercise, and weight management — can reduce your risk of cancer recurrence.

UPMC’s registered dietitians have advanced training and board certification in oncology nutrition from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They offer nutrition services tailored specifically to the needs of people with cancer.

What Are Cancer Nutrition Services?

Cancer nutrition services help you eat a variety of nutritious foods that improve your overall health during cancer treatment. Registered dietitians with expertise in oncology nutrition provide information and education to help you overcome eating challenges.

Benefits of Cancer Nutrition Services

Eating well during cancer treatment can help you manage changes in appetite and the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.

Cancer nutrition services can also help you:

Decrease your risk of infection.
Feel better overall.
Heal and recover sooner.
Keep up your energy and strength.
Maintain your weight and your body’s nutrient levels.

What Nutrition Services Do We Offer?

Our registered dietitians will meet with you and your family to discuss a variety of nutrition topics, including:

Helping with specialized feeding treatments, such as tube feedings.
Managing eating problems and symptoms related to your surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, such as weight loss and appetite issues.
Managing unintended weight loss or gain through lifestyle nutrition tips.
Providing nutrition education and guidance on various diets, including the plant-based diet recommended by the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Providing resources such as cookbooks, cooking classes, blogs, home-delivered meals, and other programs in the community.
Providing safe food handling and preparation information.
Reviewing and analyzing your current diet to improve your eating strategies to meet your body’s vitamin and mineral needs.

Nutrition services during cancer treatment

Proper nutrition is crucial during cancer treatment.

Our registered dietitians can provide personalized guidance, education, and information while answering common questions, including:

What is the best diet during cancer treatment?

The best diet for people with cancer is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily, along with adequate protein, can help rev up your immune system, boost your strength, and reduce fatigue.

Some examples include:

Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits.
Green leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard.
Lean proteins, such as poultry, fish, and legumes (soybeans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, etc.).
Nuts, such as almonds and pistachios.
Other vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, carrots, eggplant, tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, and cucumber.
Whole grains, such as wheat, rye, oats, rice, and barley.

To make mealtimes easier, many diet plans for people with cancer recommend filling one-third of your plate with lean proteins and the rest with a mix of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

What is the best diet during chemotherapy?

If you are experiencing nausea, appetite loss, food aversions, or changes in taste caused by chemotherapy or another treatment, focus on eating as many whole foods as possible and getting as close as you can to your daily serving target.

Food for chemo patients who are experiencing nausea should be easy on the stomach and may include:

Clear broth.
Dry toast.
Eggs.
Nut butters.
Plain or vanilla yogurt.
Plain pasta.
Plain rice.
Poultry.

Because you may have difficulty maintaining your appetite during chemo treatment, you should try to avoid junk food to make the most of the calories you are able to consume.

What foods should I avoid during cancer treatment?

Good nutrition for people with cancer means reducing or eliminating certain foods from their diet. You should decrease your fat intake to less than 30% (approximately 50 grams daily) of your total calories and limit your intake of beef, lamb, and organ meats to three 3-ounce servings per week. You should also limit your intake of dairy products, including cheese, cream, butter, and ice cream.

Because studies suggest that the type of fat consumed can contribute to the development of cancer, you should also avoid foods that contain trans-fatty acids, including commercially prepared baked goods, crackers, and margarine. It is also a good idea to minimize your intake of cured, pickled, and smoked foods, such as pickles, ham, and lunch meat.

Read food labels carefully. Avoid foods containing high amounts of sugars, trans fats, and sodium.

Are there certain foods that fight cancer?

Studies have shown that certain foods have properties that may help reduce the risk of cancer.

The best diet plan for people with cancer should include plenty of cancer-fighting foods, such as:

Fiber — Eating high-fiber foods such as legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can alter the hormonal actions of cancer.
Fish — Eating fish three times per week can increase omega-3-polyunsaturated fat intake, which may curb the growth of tumors.
Foods high in phytonutrients — Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts), citrus fruits, flax seed, soybeans, and other legumes are rich in antioxidants and provide immune-boosting benefits.

Does sugar intake cause cancer?

Although sugar intake has not been directly linked to cancer, a high-sugar diet can lead to weight gain and therefore increase your chances of recurrence. Cancer survivors should focus on eating a diet that is rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, and avoid processed foods, sweets, and sugary beverages.

Should I eat an organic diet?

Eating an organic diet has not been shown to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. However, an organic diet will reduce your exposure to pesticides and hormones found in fruits, vegetables, and meats. The most important thing that cancer survivors can do to prevent recurrence is to maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Can I take herbs or supplements during cancer treatment?

With your doctor’s permission, it is usually fine for most people with cancer to take a daily multivitamin. However, you should not take any over-the-counter herbs or dietary supplements during your treatment. Because over-the-counter herbs and supplements are not well-regulated, they may contain potentially harmful ingredients that could interfere with your treatment.

Can I consume alcohol during cancer treatment?

If you are receiving chemotherapy, you should not consume alcohol during cancer treatment. Beer, wine, and liquor can worsen symptoms such as nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, sore throat, and fatigue, and may interact with certain medications. If you are having surgery or radiation treatment, you may be able to consume small amounts of alcohol with your doctor’s permission.

Will my cancer treatment cause me to gain weight?

It is very common to gain weight as a result of cancer treatment. Medications such as steroids and hormones can cause weight gain that may go away after you stop taking the medication. Chemotherapy can bring on premature menopause, which results in a slowed metabolism and increased body fat. Lack of exercise, along with food cravings for sweets and carbohydrates during treatment, can also cause weight gain. A nutritious diet and healthy habits during treatment can help you limit weight gain and lay the foundation for returning to your ideal body weight after treatment is complete.

Should I exercise during cancer treatment?

Although you may not be feeling your best, exercise during cancer treatment is generally safe. When combined with a healthy diet plan, light exercise can help limit weight gain, relieve symptoms like constipation, and boost your immune system. It can also improve your mood and reduce stress.

You should check with your doctor to make sure that exercise is safe for you. If you are new to exercise, be sure to start slowly with light, low-impact exercise, such as walking around the block. If you are already active, be cautious to avoid exhaustion by listening to your body and only doing exercises that feel comfortable to you.

Nutrition services after cancer treatment

Studies show that proper nutrition, exercise, and weight management after cancer treatment can reduce your risk of recurrence.

Our registered dietitians can help you incorporate healthy habits into your everyday life after cancer remission and answer common questions, including:

How can I reduce my risk of cancer recurrence?

A recent study found that exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are the two most significant lifestyle changes that cancer survivors can make to reduce their risk of recurrence. Women who are overweight or obese have the lowest chance of survival, while women who engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week — or 75 minutes of intense exercise each week — reduce their risk of recurrence by about 40%.

Although research found that diet did not have a direct impact on cancer recurrence rates, healthy eating can help to stave off weight gain or help you return to your ideal weight after treatment. To reduce your chances of recurrence, you should continue to follow the diet for people with cancer. The best diet for cancer survivors is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Can I exercise after cancer treatment?

Exercise is one of the most important things that you can do to reduce your chances of cancer recurrence. In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, exercise will also improve your mood, self-image, and immune system. Best of all, 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days a week or 75 minutes of intense exercise each week can reduce your risk of recurrence by as much as 40%.

Because many people reduce their level of physical activity during cancer treatment, you should check with your doctor to make sure that exercise is safe for you. If you are new to exercise, start slowly with light, low-impact activities like walking or swimming. If you are already active, gradually increase the intensity of your exercise and pay close attention to how you feel.

How can I determine if I am at a healthy weight?

To determine whether you are at a healthy weight, you should calculate your body mass index (BMI) using an online calculator.

Your BMI will indicate whether you are at a normal weight, overweight, obese, or extremely obese according to the following measures:

18.5-24.9 BMI — Normal weight
25-29.9 BMI — Overweight
30-39.9 BMI — Obese
40+ BMI — Extremely obese

What is the best way to lose weight?

Due to reduced activity levels, medications, and early menopause, it is very common for women to gain weight during cancer treatment.

In addition to diet and exercise, there are many tips and tricks that can help you stick to a diet plan and successfully lose weight after treatment, including:

Control your portions — In our super-sized world, portion control can be challenging. To make mealtime easier, many diet plans recommend a plant-based approach, filling one-third of your plate with lean proteins and the rest with a mix of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Eat mindfully — Studies have shown that distractions at mealtimes can cause you to eat more than you normally would. By eating slowly and paying attention to your meal, you will be able to recognize your body’s fullness cues.
Keep unhealthy foods out of sight — Make your environment work for you by filling your refrigerator and pantry with healthy food options. If you must have unhealthy foods in the house, keep them out of sight.
Use a smaller plate — Using a smaller plate helps you practice better portion control.
Track your eating and your weight — Keeping a food diary helps you be more aware of the foods and portions you are consuming, and a weekly weigh-in will help you stay aware of your weight. Use a fitness device, an app, or a pen and paper to record every bite you take as well as your weekly weight to help promote healthy eating habits.

Whether you decide to join a support group, participate in a weight loss program, consult a registered dietitian, or use a fitness tracking device or app, returning to your ideal weight after treatment is a crucial part of reducing the risk of recurrence.

How to Schedule a Nutritional Services Consultation

Nutritional services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All consultations are free of charge.

You can meet with our nutrition team:

During clinic visits with your oncologist.
During your medical oncology treatment visits.
In a private consultation.

Why Choose UPMC for Cancer Nutrition Services? 

When you choose UPMC for cancer nutrition services, you will receive:

Comprehensive nutrition expertise — Our registered dietitians have specialized training in oncology nutrition, enabling them to offer personalized advice to help you overcome your unique eating challenges.
Personalized, collaborative care — By working closely with your surgical, medical, and radiation oncology team, our registered dietitians support your overall well-being and help manage side effects during your treatment.
Supportive services tailored to your needs — Our approach to cancer care honors your preferences by blending advanced clinical methods with supportive services — including personalized nutrition advice — for the best possible results.