Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects: Diet & Nutrition

Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications used to kill life-threatening cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. Chemotherapy drugs cannot be aimed solely at the cancer producing cells and so destroy healthy cells at the same time. While the healthy cells will grow back in time, the side effects are numerous and vary between individuals.

Abdominal Pain

• Chemotherapy can create abdominal pain caused by the increased or decreased movements in the bowels.

Gas

• Chemotherapy can destroy the healthy bacteria in the stomach and cause flatulence and discomfort after eating.

Appetite

• People receiving chemotherapy treatment typically lose their appetites and should try to eat small portions of calorie and nutrient-rich food every 2 to 3 hours.

Taste

• The taste buds are altered during chemotherapy treatment and can create a metallic taste in the mouth, taking away the pleasures of eating.

Mouth Sores

• While the mucus in the mouth is undergoing changes due to chemotherapy, moth sores can form causing discomfort during eating.

Heartburn

• Chemotherapy patients are further bothered by heartburn and acid reflux when eating.