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Eat well during cancer

If you’re living with cancer or having cancer treatment, you might not be able to eat and drink what you are used to, or as much. This can be difficult, especially if you’ve always enjoyed your food and now find mealtimes challenging.

Cover of Eat well during cancer guide

Eat well during cancerOn top of the symptoms caused by cancer itself, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can cause side-effects that make it more difficult to eat normally and absorb what you need from food.

Who is this advice for?

This guide is for people living with cancer and those having cancer treatment who not only want to learn about coping with these side-effects, but also want advice on a diet and lifestyle that is as healthy as possible.

This is general advice and not suitable for people who:

  • are eating very little
  • have lost a lot of weight unintentionally
  • or are receiving palliative care

If this applies to you, you’ll need specialist information and advice from your oncologist or cancer team.

If you follow a special diet for another medical condition, such as heart disease, diabetes or renal failure, or have had a colostomy or ileostomy, this website may not be suitable for you.

Talk to your doctor or dietitian about safe changes to make to your diet.