Diet and Nutrition During and After Cancer Treatment

[connor smith]

Now that you know how to use the player, click the start button and begin. This video explains how healthy dietary patterns described in the American Cancer Society nutrition and physical activity guideline can support people during and after cancer treatment. Good nutrition helps manage energy levels, maintain strength during treatment, and support recovery afterward. Nutritional needs vary based on cancer type, treatment plan, and existing health conditions.

There are several general strategies that can support eating well during and after treatment. Trying new foods may help you find options that maintain body weight and nutrient intake. Eating a variety of plant-based foods such as beans and peas can provide protein alternatives to meat. Consuming colorful fruits and vegetables daily supplies natural health-promoting compounds. Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight is important, and small weight changes during treatment are normal. Limiting or avoiding red and processed meats, as well as salt-cured, smoked, and pickled foods, is also recommended.

The guideline recommends a nutritional assessment and counseling soon after diagnosis because treatment may cause eating difficulties such as poor appetite, chewing or swallowing problems, digestive issues, or fatigue. Counseling can help identify nutrient deficiencies, manage side effects, and preserve muscle mass. A registered dietitian can provide personalized nutrition plans. Free or low-cost counseling may be available through healthcare providers, local health departments, community centers, or organizations such as the YMCA.

If adequate nutrition is not a concern, following the healthy dietary pattern defined in the guideline for cancer prevention is advised. This pattern includes whole grains, whole fruits of various colors, vegetables such as dark green, red, and orange varieties, fiber-rich legumes like beans and peas, and other nutrient-dense foods in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. It limits red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, highly processed foods, and refined grains.

A healthy eating pattern is a consistent daily approach emphasizing nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains while limiting processed items and sugary drinks. Several dietary patterns align with these principles. The Mediterranean diet is based on traditional eating habits from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and typically includes fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil as the primary fat source. The DASH diet is a flexible eating plan designed to support heart health. The Healthy Eating Index from the United States Department of Agriculture measures how well a diet follows federal dietary guidelines. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index developed at Harvard evaluates foods and nutrients based on associations with chronic disease risk.

Research shows that healthy eating patterns like these are linked with higher overall survival among breast cancer survivors. The Mediterranean diet has also been associated with lower mortality risk in prostate cancer survivors. In contrast, Western-style dietary patterns high in red and processed meats, high-fat dairy, refined grains, sweets, and desserts are associated with poorer outcomes in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors.

There is currently insufficient evidence to make a universal recommendation about alcohol for all cancer survivors. However, studies show alcohol consumption increases mortality risk for certain cancers, including head and neck, laryngeal, pharyngeal, and liver cancers. Alcohol can also interfere with chemotherapy, worsen mouth sores during radiation, and cause liver inflammation that affects drug metabolism. Because alcohol increases the risk of several cancers, avoidance is recommended for prevention. If someone chooses to drink, intake should be limited to no more than one drink per day for females and two for males, with one standard drink defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Several reliable survivorship resources are available. An infographic from the American Cancer Society summarizes diet and activity guidelines for reducing cancer risk. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website provides nutrition resources for patients before and after treatment and tools to find registered dietitians. The American Institute for Cancer Research offers guidance on preparing for treatment and understanding nutrition labels.

Thank you for watching this information on diet and nutrition during and after treatment. It provides practical guidance and resources to support individuals throughout their cancer journey.