Healthy Eating Strategies During Lung Cancer Treatment

If you have lung cancer, you probably know that going through cancer treatment can be hard on your body. While treatment works to destroy cancer cells, it also leads to side effects. Some people have few side effects from cancer treatment, other have many that interfere with daily life.^1-3

For example, you may find that it is hard to eat. Both the cancer and the treatment side effects can affect your ability to take in food and process nutrients. But your body needs calories and protein to fight the disease. Nutrients also help your body cope with the ups and downs of treatment.^1-3

Fortunately, you can learn and apply strategies to handle eating problems, especially if you plan.^1-4

What steps can I take ahead of time?

Before cancer treatment, prepare your body and your pantry. Eat healthily and aim for a healthy weight. Buy foods that are good for you. Include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit or avoid:^1-4

• Alcohol
• Foods high in bad (saturated) fat, salt, or sugar
• Processed foods

Consider asking your doctor to refer you to a dietitian. You can work with your doctor or dietitian to list healthy foods and drinks for now and during treatment. The list can include foods to eat during treatment when you feel poorly. And you can tailor the list to your specific type of lung cancer, preferences, and treatment plan.^1,3

If you can, line up helpers ahead of time and talk through your needs. Discuss your grocery list, errands, and chores.^1,4

What can I do to feel better during treatment?

First, make the most of your nutrition when you do eat – go for protein and calories. Before cancer, protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, water, vitamins, and minerals fueled your body. And you still need these. But with lung cancer, you might need extra protein to rebuild tissue. You may also need extra fats (good fats, or monounsaturated fats) for the calories they add. Your body uses those calories to combat fatigue and to heal.^1-4

Second, eat when you feel okay. Eat what sounds good, even if it means eating the same thing again and again. For a thorough list of nutritious food suggestions for people undergoing cancer treatment, see the National Cancer Institute's Eating Hints book, free to view online​​.^1,2

The cancer itself, pain, drugs, tiredness, and sad feelings may steal your appetite. If this happens, consider these strategies:^1,2,4

• Instead of skipping a meal, try a few bites.
• Soft, liquid, cool, and frozen foods may go down more easily.
• Try to relax before and during your meals.
• Eat when you are rested.

Finally, ask your doctor about an exercise program. A 2022 study of 835 people with lung cancer concluded that exercise helped reduce treatment side effects, including appetite loss. Exercise also reduced diarrhea, constipation, tiredness, pain, and sadness, all of which can decrease hunger. Reportedly, it improved overall quality of life.^1,2,5,6

What side effects might affect my ability to eat?

Some people in cancer treatment have few troubling side effects that affect their eating. Others have many. You may notice some or all of the following:^1,2,4,7

• Your stomach feels sick (nausea).
• You throw up after eating (vomiting).
• Your mouth is dry (xerostomia) or has sores (mucositis).
• Your throat is sore.
• You have trouble swallowing (dysphagia).
• You cannot poop (constipation).
• You have diarrhea.
• You cannot handle milk products (lactose intolerance).
• Foods taste or smell different.

When these side effects hamper your ability to eat, consider the following tips:^1-4

• Nausea – Try dry crackers, ginger tea, ice chips, electrolytes, bananas, rice, applesauce, or dry toast.
• Vomiting – Avoid food and drinks. After you stop vomiting, sip clear liquids, then full liquids, then try solid foods.
• Dry mouth – Try moist foods, frequent sips of water, gum, ice chips, or hard candy.
• Mouth sores – Rinse with salt water or a prescribed mouth rinse. Drink with a straw. Eat small spoonfuls of cool, soft, smooth food.
• Sore throat or trouble swallowing – Have small amounts of soft, smooth foods and liquids.
• Constipation – Stay hydrated and active. Aim to drink 8 to 12 cups a day of water and other clear liquids (check with your doctor if you have a fluid restriction).
• Diarrhea – Have small, cool meals. Drink sports drinks and electrolyte drinks. Eat low-fiber foods. Avoid caffeine, sugar, spicy foods, alcohol, sugar-free items, and fast foods.
• Cannot handle milk products – Try almond, soy, or cashew milk and related products.
• Changes in taste or smell – Pick foods that sound good. Add seasoning or marinade. Minimize smells (cover food and drinks, use a straw, and stay away from the cooking area).

Finally, ask your doctor about drugs that may combat these problems.

What is the bottom line?

Eating during lung cancer treatment can be challenging. But you can learn to manage how, when, and what you eat to help your body cope. Talk to your doctor about strategies from this article that sound good to you.^1-4