Try to stick to the foods that you are familiar with; this is not the right time to be experimenting with your diet. After treatment, most people are able to follow a normal diet and enjoy their usual foods.

WEIGHT LOSS

If you are losing too much weight, you need to increase the amount of energy and protein in your diet. It may be difficult to change your diet in this way and may seem ‘unhealthy’, but it is important that you try to, as losing too much weight can be harmful to your health.

HOW TO INCREASE ENERGY AND PROTEIN IN YOUR DIET

Choose full fat foods. Avoid foods labelled ‘low fat’ or ‘diet’. Avoid filling up on low energy foods such as vegetables, fruit and light soups. Enrich casseroles, soups and sauces by adding butter/oil, meat/fish, peas, lentils, liquidised butterbeans, noodles, dumplings, sweet potato, fufu, gari, coconut milk, ground paste or milk powder. You could also try adding supplements such as Build up or Complan. Ask your doctor /dietician about other suitable supplements. Add ice-cream, cream, condensed milk, custard, sugar, honey, syrup, crushed nuts, mashed banana or desiccated coconut to puddings, fruits and desserts. Be careful if you are diabetic and ask a dietician for advice. Cook vegetables with seasoning and butter/oil. Try adding cheese, mayonnaise or chopped meat.

Add mayonnaise or oil-based dressings to sandwiches, potato fillings and salads. Always use plenty of butter or margarine and have fillings like hard-boiled egg, tuna or ham. Have peanut butter, cheese, chocolate spread, honey, jam or marmalade on bread, crackers, buns or biscuits. Keep your favourite snacks handy for whenever you are hungry. Try serving with dips such as coleslaw or mayonnaise.

POOR APPETITE

Poor appetite may be caused by your illness, treatments, physical problems such as a sore mouth or emotional problems such as anxiety

HOW TO AIDE A POOR APPETITE

Eat small amounts throughout the day if you cannot face large meals. It is important that you eat whenever you are hungry. Keep snacks handy. Choose tasty snacks such as nuts, crisps, fruit, fritters, patties, samosas, crackers and cheese. Present food attractively. Serve manageable portions and garnish with lemon, tomato or parsley. Vary the consistency and flavour of your food. Choose foods that are easy to eat. If chewing is a problem choose softer foods like puddings, porridges and soups. Nourishing drinks can sometimes replace small meals. Sip these slowly throughout the day. You can buy them or make your own by juicing fruits and/or vegetables.

A gentle walk or small glass of alcohol before a meal may help stimulate your appetite. Sometimes the smell of cooking can put you off eating. Let family or friends cook for you and keep away from the kitchen. Avoid distractions while eating and try to relax. When you do feel like eating make the most of it by treating yourself to your favourite foods.

FEELING SICK

THINGS THAT YOU CAN EAT IF YOU FEEL SICK

Try to eat foods that you fancy, Try eating dry foods first thing in the morning before getting up. Try toast, crackers, biscuits or buns. Strong smells can make nausea worse, so avoid foods with strong smells. It may be easier to eat a main meal if you let it cool down to room temperature. This will reduce the smell. If the smell of cooking makes you feel sick, eat cold meals or frozen foods that only need heating up. Remember to defrost thoroughly and to make sure your food is properly cooked. If possible let someone else do the cooking. Avoid greasy or very sweet foods. Choose light or dry foods. Gradually build up to a more substantial diet by introducing small amounts of your favourite foods.

Have small frequent snacks throughout the day rather than full meals, It helps to avoid feelings of fullness and discomfort. Try salty foods such as salted nuts, salted crackers and saltfish. These may help reduce nausea. Try bitter and or sharp tasting foods and drinks such as citrus fruits, grapefruit juice, Mauby, tinned fruit, tamarind or yoghurt. Try sucking boiled sweets, fruit sweets or mints. Sometimes food or drink containing ginger can help reduce nausea. You can try fresh or crystallised ginger, ginger tea, ginger beer, ginger biscuits.

Drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration. Try having drinks between meals rather than with your food. Sipping a fizzy drink may help reduce feelings of sickness. Try sipping ginger beer, lemonade or mineral water slowly through a straw. Fresh air can help so try to avoid stuffy rooms. Avoid lying flat after eating and try to remain upright for at least 1-2 hours after a meal. Make meals as calm and relaxed as possible as anxiety can make nausea worse. Avoid tight or restrictive clothing. If possible, take a short walk before meal. Some people find relaxation techniques helpful.

You may need regular anti-sickness medication (anti-emetics) to avoid feelings of sickness. You could discuss this with your doctor who can prescribe them for you. Good mouth care is important so gently cleaning your teeth between meals is a good idea.

DRY MOUTH

Many patients experience a dry mouth after receiving radiotherapy to the head or neck area. It can also be caused by chemotherapy and certain pain killers. Try to maintain good oral care to reduce the chance of getting an infection. You could ask your doctor or nurse about suitable mouthwashes, sprays or medication that may help.

SUGGESTED MOUTH CARE

Try to avoid your tongue from becoming coated as this could put you off eating. Clean it regularly and gently with a soft child’s toothbrush. You may want to try some artificial saliva or pastilles.(ask your doctor about these) Use lip balm or Vaseline to prevent lips from drying

COPING WITH A DRY MOUTH

Drink frequently. Sipping slowly can help keep your mouth from drying. If you are finding it hard to eat enough food, choose nourishing drinks. Sucking ice cubes or ice lollies can help. Try freezing your favourite fruit juice in ice-cube trays. Sharp tastes can help increase the flow of saliva. Try oranges, pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, tamarind, ginger, mauby, fruit sweets or chewing gum. Choose moist and soft foods, these will be easier to eat. Try cornmeal or yam porridge, millet coucous with buttermilk, soft puddings or yoghurt. Have soups and stews or mild curries.

Moisten dry foods with lots of gravy, sauces or dips. Add coconut milk, chutney and relishes. Have desserts and puddings with custard, cream or ice-cream. Dip dry foods into liquids to moisten them. Avoid sticky foods such as peanut butter, hard dough bread and pastry. These can stick to the roof of your mouth.

SORE MOUTH OR THROAT

Some treatments or drugs can make your mouth sore. Chewing and swallowing can become difficult. If so, you may have to start having a soft or blended diet. You still need to have a varied diet to ensure that you get enough energy, protein and nutrients. You may need to make small changes to your meals to soften and enrich them.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT AND DRINK

Choose soft foods and add gravies and sauces, Try soups, fufu, cornmeal and yam porridge or rice pudding. Chop meat and vegetables finely and use in casseroles or stews. If you have a blender use it to liquidise cooked foods. Moisten desserts with custard, ice-cream, evaporated milk or cream. Use nourishing drinks to keep up your daily calorie intake. Make your own milkshakes perhaps using mango or banana with milk, ice-cream, evaporated milk or yoghurt. Try juicing fruits and vegetables if you find these hard to eat; but avoid acidic fruits that sting your mouth.

Nourishing and supplementary drinks are available to buy. Your doctor or dietician may also prescribe other drinks for you. Cold food and drinks can be soothing. Chill drinks and choose milky options if fruity drinks irritate your mouth. Stewing fruits will also make eating easier.Use a straw this will be less painful.

FOOD THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID

Avoid very hot foods. Salty .acidic or spicy foods may irritate your mouth. Avoid salted nuts, pineapple, citrus fruits, vinegar, curry, chillies, hot pepper sauces, pickles and tomato sauces. Avoid rough textured food such as nuts, toast, crisps and raw vegetables. Choose smooth foods such as yoghurt or porridge. Sticky foods are also hard to eat. Try to avoid foods like crispbread, hard dough bread, peanut butter or toffee. Avoid alcohol as it can irritate any sore areas.

SUGGESTED MOUTHCARE

Refresh your mouth with melon slices or ice cream. Ask your doctor or nurse about suitable mouthwashes or lotions. If permitted, try dissolving 2 aspirins or paracetamol in water. Gargle then swallow the mixture 20 minutes before eating. This anaesthetises the throat making it easier to swallow. Try adding a little fruit squash to improve the taste. Check with the doctor that it is safe to take these drugs alongside your medication. Use a child’s soft toothbrush to gently clean your teeth. If you wear dentures, leave them out whenever possible to prevent then hurting your gums. But check with your doctor if you are receiving radiotherapy to the mouth area.

TASTE CHANGES

During cancer and its treatment, your taste may change or disappear altogether. This is usually temporary, but do check with your doctor or nurse to ensure that the changes are not caused by an infection.

IF YOU HAVE AN UNPLEASANT TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH

Try rinsing your mouth with fizzy water before meals and gently cleaning your teeth after eating. Avoid mouthwashes with strong flavours that could alter the taste of your food. Drink plenty of water. Sharp-tasting foods, sweets or mints can be refreshing. Try fresh fruit, crystallised ginger, pineapple or bitter boiled sweets.

HOW TO MAKE FOOD TASTIER

Concentrate on eating the foods that you enjoy. Choose foods that are highly flavoured or use seasoning and spices. Try onion, garlic, ginger, magi cubes, chilli, curry powder, sauces, wine, soy sauce, marinades and pickles. Take care when using spices if your mouth is sore. Serve meat, chicken and fish dishes with sauces. Use condiments to flavour foods. Add texture to your food. Try adding nuts and seeds to foods. Cook vegetables lightly to retain their crunch. You may find cold food tastes better than hot food. Also try combining temperatures. i.e. eat warm pudding with ice cream

HOW TO COPE WHEN FOODS TASTE DIFFERENT OR PECULIAR

If meat tastes bitter or metallic try marinating it in seasoning, spices or wine or serve it with sauces. Have meat with chutney or pickle. Alternatively, use chicken, fish, egg tofu, quorn or cheese. If food tastes too sweet, try cooking with lemon juice, spices, tamarind or vinegar. Be careful if your mouth is sore. If you are avoiding a lot of foods ask to see a dietician for advice.

DIARRHOEA

Some people suffer from diarrhoea and this may be due to your illness, treatment or medication. If diarrhoea is caused by radiotherapy, changing your diet is unlikely to improve your symptoms. Ask your doctor or nurse about suitable anti-diarrhoea medicines.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU HAVE DIARRHOEA

Drink plenty of fluids to replace the water lost with diarrhoea. Avoid alcohol, coffee, other hot milky drinks and fresh fruit juices. When you have diarrhoea your body can become low in the mineral called potassium. Bananas and plantains are good sources of potassium and low in fibre. Try to eat plenty of these. Keep activity to a minimum after meals.

WHAT CAN YOU EAT IF YOU HAVE DIARRHOEA

Eat frequent, small meals made from light, low fat and low fibre foods If a low fibre diet makes no difference to your diarrhoea, tell your doctor and return to your normal diet.

CONSTIPATION

Constipation may be due to your disease, treatment or medication. Increasing the amount of fibre in your diet may help. If changing your diet does not ease your symptoms, then speak to your doctor or nurse.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU HAVE CONSTPATION

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids (8-10 cups per day). Hot or cold drinks may be helpful. A warm drink first thing in the morning may help Gentle exercise may help to keep your bowels moving

HOW TO ADD MORE FIBRE TO YOUR DIET

Choose high fibre breads and breakfast cereals. Wholemeal flour, wholemeal bread and brown rice contain more fibre. Have Allbran, muesli or porridge with dried fruits. Choose biscuits or cakes that are high in fibre. Digestive biscuits, biscuits containing fruit, oatcakes, wholewheat crackers, fruitcake and sweet potato pudding are all good sources of fibre. Eat plenty of fresh fruit (at least 5 pieces per day) It is best to leave the skin on and eat the pips when possible. Try mango, pineapple, grapefruit, pomegranate, guava, passion fruit, coconut and tamarind Dried fruits are good sources of fibre. Have sultanas, raisins, apricots, prunes, figs or dates. Eat plenty of vegetables. Green leafy vegetables, corn, sweet potato and salad are all good sources of fibre. Pulse vegetables and legumes are good sources of fibre. Eat peas, beans and lentils at least twice a week.

Nuts contain some fibre. Mix these with your meal or have them as a snack. Flaxseed (linseed) and pumpkin seeds can help to ease constipation. Take one teaspoon of seeds daily with water. If you feel that this advice may not be suitable for you due to swallowing difficulties or digestive problems, please check with your doctor, nurse or dietician. Natural remedies for constipation include syrup of figs, prunes and prune juice. Also, try fresh orange or grapefruit. Tamarind is a powerful laxative so try tamarind balls.

FOODS THAT MAY MAKE YOUR SYMPTOMS WORSE

CHICKEN WITH SKIN ON

MEAT WITH FAT

FRIED MEAT CHICKEN OR FISH

WHOLE GRAIN CEREALS/ BREAD CHIPS

RICH SAUCES

SPICY FOOD

GREEN VEGETABLES, ONIONS BEANS PEAS LENTILS NUTS

DRIED FRUIT FRUIT CAKE

RAW FRUIT

CAFFEINE

MILK

ALCOHOL

FRUIT JUICES

VERY COLD /HOT

DRINKS

WATER

FRUIT SQUASH DRINKS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

BANANAS

COOKED FRUIT

ROOT VEGETABLES

POTATOES

WHITE BREAD PASTA RICE DUMPLINGS LOW FIBRE CEREALS

CHEESE

YOGHURT

EGGS WHITE FISH POULTRY WITHOUT SKIN

FOODS THAT MAY HELP TO EASE YOUR SYMPTOMS

Printed by courtesy of Cancer Equality