Managing Side Effects and/or Late Effects of Treatment
Cancer Nutrition Services: Managing Eating Problems
Nausea
Nausea, with or without vomiting, is a common side effect of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biological therapy. The disease itself, or other conditions unrelated to your cancer or treatment, also may cause nausea. Whatever the cause, nausea can keep you from getting enough food and needed nutrients.Here are some ideas that may help alleviate nausea
- Ask your doctor about medicine to help control nausea and vomiting. These drugs are called antiemetics.
Try these foods:
- Toast & crackers
- Yogurt
- Sherbet
- Pretzels
- Angel food cake
- Oatmeal
- Skinned chicken (baked or broiled, not fried)
- Fruits & vegetables that are soft or bland, such as canned peaches
- Clear liquids, sipped slowly
- Ice chips
Avoid these foods:
- Fatty, greasy or fried
- Very sweet, such as candy, cookies or cake
- Spicy or hot
- With strong odors
- Eat small amounts often and slowly.
- Drink fewer liquids with meals. Drinking liquids can cause a full, bloated feeling.
- Drink or sip liquids throughout the day, except at mealtimes. Using a straw may help.
- Eat foods at room temperature or cooler; hot foods may add to nausea.
- Don't force yourself to eat favorite foods when you feel nauseated. This may cause a permanent dislike of those foods
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