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National Cancer Institute

at the National Institutes of Health

Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment

In English
En español

Posted: 09/30/2009

Eating Hints

About this Book

What You Should Know About Cancer Treatment, Eating Well...

Feelings Can Affect Your Appetite During Cancer Treatment

Eating Problems and Ways To Manage Them

After Cancer Treatment

Eating Problems That May Be Caused by Certain Cancer Treatments

Lists of Foods and Drinks

Ways To Learn More

Recipes

Page Options

Popular Resources

NCI Highlights

Lists of Foods and Drinks

On this page:

Clear Liquids
Full-Liquid Foods
Foods and Drinks That Are Easy on the Stomach
Low-Fiber Foods
High-Fiber Foods
Foods and Drinks That Are Easy To Chew and Swallow
Quick and Easy Snacks
Ways To Add Protein
Ways To Add Calories

Clear Liquids

This list may help if you have appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Types	Liquids
Soups	Bouillon Clear broth Consommé
Drinks	Clear fruit juices (such as apple, cranberry, or grape) Clear carbonated soda or water Flavored water Fruit-flavored drinks Fruit punch Sports drinks Water Weak tea with no caffeine
Desserts and snacks	Fruit ices made without fruit pieces or milk Gelatin Hard candy Honey Jelly Popsicles
Meal replacements and supplements	Clear nutrition supplements (such as Resource® Breeze, Carnation® Instant Breakfast® juice, and Enlive!®)

Full-Liquid Foods

This list may help if you have appetite loss, vomiting, or weight loss.

Types	Foods and Drinks
Cereals	Refined hot cereals (such as Cream of Wheat®, Cream of Rice®, instant oatmeal, and grits)
Soups	Bouillon Broth Soup that has been strained or put through a blender
Drinks	Carbonated drinks Coffee Fruit drinks Fruit punch Milk Milkshakes Smoothies Sports drinks Tea Tomato juice Vegetable juice Water
Desserts and snacks	Custard (soft or baked) Frozen yogurt Fruit purees that are watered down Gelatin Honey Ice cream with no chunks (such as nuts or cookie pieces) Ice milk Jelly Pudding Sherbet Sorbet Syrup Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Meal replacement and supplements	Instant breakfast drinks (such as Carnation® Instant Breakfast®) Liquid meal replacements (such as Ensure® and Boost®) Clear nutrition supplements (such as Resource® Breeze, Carnation® Instant Breakfast® juice, and Enlive!®)

Foods and Drinks That Are Easy on the Stomach

This list may help if you have nausea or once your vomiting is under control.

See nausea.
See vomiting.

Types	Foods and Drinks
Soups	Clear broth (such as chicken, vegetable, or beef) All kinds (strain or puree, if needed), except those made with foods that cause gas, such as dried beans and peas, broccoli, or cabbage
Drinks	Clear carbonated drinks that have lost their fizz Cranberry or grape juice Fruit-flavored drinks Fruit punch Milk Sports drinks Tea Vegetable juices Water
Main meals and other food	Avocado Beef (tender cuts) Cheese, hard (mild types, such as American) Cheese, soft or semi-soft (such as cottage cheese or cream cheese) Chicken or turkey (broiled or baked without skin) Eggs Fish (poached or broiled) Noodles Pasta (plain) Peanut butter, creamy (and other nut butters) Potatoes, without skins (boiled or baked) Pretzels Refined cold cereals (such as corn flakes, Rice Krispies®, Rice Chex®, and Corn Chex®) Refined hot cereals (such as Cream of Wheat®) Saltine crackers Tortillas (white flour) Vegetables (tender, well-cooked) White bread White rice White toast
Desserts and snacks	Angel food cake Bananas Canned fruit, such as applesauce, peaches, and pears Custard Frozen yogurt Gelatin Ice cream Ice milk Lemon drop candy Popsicles Pudding Sherbet Sorbet Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Meal replacements and supplements	Instant breakfast drinks (such as Carnation® Instant Breakfast®) Liquid meal replacements (such as Ensure®) Clear nutrition supplements (such as Resource® Breeze, Carnation® Instant Breakfast® juice, and Enlive!®)

Low-Fiber Foods

This list may help if you have diarrhea.

See diarrhea.

Types	Foods and Drinks
Main meals and other foods	Chicken or turkey (skinless and baked, broiled, or grilled) Cooked refined cereals (such as Cream of Rice®, instant oatmeal, and grits) Eggs Fish Noodles Potatoes, without skins (boiled or baked) White bread White rice
Fruits and vegetables	Carrots (cooked) Canned fruit (such as peaches, pears, and applesauce) Fruit juice Mushrooms String beans (cooked) Vegetable juice
Snacks	Angel food cake Animal crackers Custard Gelatin Ginger snaps Graham crackers Saltine crackers Sherbet Sorbet Vanilla wafers Yogurt (plain or vanilla)

High-Fiber Foods

This list may help if you have constipation or weight gain.

See constipation.
See weight gain.

Types	Foods and Drinks
Main meals and other foods	Bran muffins Bran or whole-grain cereals Cooked dried or canned peas and beans (such as lentils or pinto, black, red, or kidney beans) Peanut butter (and other nut butters) Soups with vegetables and beans (such as lentil and split pea) Whole-grain cereals (such as oatmeal and shredded wheat) Whole-wheat bread Whole-wheat pasta
Fruits and vegetables	Apples Berries (such as blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries) Broccoli Brussel sprouts Cabbage Corn Dried fruit (such as apricots, dates, prunes, and raisins) Green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and collard greens) Peas Potatoes with skins Spinach Sweet potatoes Yams
Snacks	Bran snack bars Granola Nuts Popcorn Seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower) Trail mix

Foods and Drinks That Are Easy To Chew and Swallow

This list may help if you have dry mouth, sore mouth, sore throat, or trouble swallowing.

Types	Foods and Drinks
Main meals and other foods	Baby food Casseroles Chicken salad Cooked refined cereals (such as Cream of Wheat®, Cream of Rice®, instant oatmeal, and grits) Cottage cheese Eggs (soft boiled or scrambled) Egg salad Macaroni and cheese Mashed potatoes Peanut butter, creamy Pureed cooked foods Soups Stews Tuna salad Custard
Desserts and Snacks	Flan Fruit (pureed or baby food) Gelatin Ice cream Milkshakes Puddings Sherbet Smoothies Soft fruits (such as bananas or applesauce) Sorbet Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Meal replacements and supplements	Instant breakfast drinks (such as Carnation® Instant Breakfast®) Liquid meal replacements (such as Ensure®) Clear nutrition supplements (such as Resource® Breeze, Carnation® Instant Breakfast® juice, and Enlive!®)

Quick and Easy Snacks

This list may help if you have appetite loss.

See appetite loss.

Types of Foods and Drinks	Examples
Drinks	Chocolate milk Instant breakfast drinks Juices Milk Milkshakes
Main meals and other foods	Bread Cereal Cheese, hard or semisoft Crackers Cream soups Hard-boiled and deviled eggs Muffins Nuts Peanut butter (and other nut butters) Pita bread and hummus Pizza Sandwiches
Fruits and vegetables	Applesauce Fresh or canned fruit Vegetables (raw or cooked)
Desserts and snacks	Cakes and cookies made with whole grains, fruits, nuts, wheat germ, or granola Custard Dips made with cheese, beans, or sour cream Frozen yogurt Gelatin Granola Granola bars Ice cream Nuts Popcorn Popsicles Puddings Sherbet Sorbet Trail mix Yogurt

Ways To Add Protein

This list may help if you have appetite loss, sore throat, trouble swallowing, or weight loss.

Types	How To Use
Hard or semisoft cheese	Melt on: Sandwiches Bread Muffins Tortillas Hamburgers Hot dogs Meats and fish Vegetables Eggs Desserts Stewed fruit Pies Grate and add to: Soups Sauces Casseroles Vegetable dishes Mashed potatoes Rice Noodles Meatloaf
Cottage cheese/ricotta cheese	Mix with or use to stuff fruits and vegetables Add to: Casseroles Spaghetti Noodles Egg dishes (such as omelets, scrambled eggs, and soufflés)
Milk	Use milk instead of water in drinks and in cooking Use in hot cereal, soups, cocoa, and pudding
Nonfat instant dry milk	Add to milk and milk drinks (such as pasteurized eggnog and milkshakes) Use in: Casseroles Meatloaf Breads Muffins Sauces Cream soups Mashed potatoes Macaroni and cheese Pudding Custard Other milk-based desserts
Meal replacements, supplements, and protein powder	Use "instant breakfast powder" in milk drinks and desserts Mix with ice cream, milk, and fruit flavoring for a high-protein milkshake
Ice cream, yogurt, and frozen yogurt	Add to: Carbonated drinks Milk drinks (such as milkshakes) Cereal Fruit Gelatin Pies Mix with soft or cooked fruits Make a sandwich of ice cream or frozen yogurt between cake slices, cookies, or graham crackers Mix with breakfast drinks and fruit, such as bananas
Eggs	Add chopped hard-boiled eggs to salads, salad dressings, vegetables, casseroles, and creamed meats Make a rich custard with eggs, milk, and sugar Add extra hard-boiled yolks to deviled egg filling and sandwich spread Beat eggs into mashed potatoes, pureed vegetables, and sauces. (Make sure to keep cooking these dishes after adding the eggs because raw eggs may contain harmful bacteria.) Add extra eggs or egg whites to: Custard Puddings Quiches Scrambled eggs Omelets Pancake or French toast batter
Nuts, seeds, and wheat germ	Add to: Casseroles Breads Muffins Pancakes Cookies Waffles Sprinkle to: Fruit Cereal Ice cream Yogurt Vegetables Salads Toast Use in place of breadcrumbs in recipes Blend with parsley, spinach, or herbs and cream to make a sauce for noodle, pasta, or vegetable dishes Roll bananas in chopped nuts
Peanut butter and other nut butters	Spread on: Sandwiches Toast Muffins Crackers Waffles Pancakes Fruit slices Use as a dip for raw vegetables Blend with milk and other drinks Swirl through soft ice cream and yogurt
Meat, poultry, and fish	Add chopped, cooked meat or fish to: Vegetables Salads Casseroles Soups Sauces Biscuit dough Omelets Soufflés Quiches Sandwich fillings Chicken and turkey stuffings Wrap in pie crust or biscuit dough as turnovers Add to stuffed baked potatoes
Beans, legumes, and tofu	Add to casseroles, pasta, soup, salad, and grain dishes Mash cooked beans with cheese and milk

Ways To Add Calories

This list may help if you have appetite loss, sore throat, trouble swallowing, or weight loss.

Types	How To Use
Milk	Use whole milk instead of low-fat Put on hot or cold cereal Pour on chicken and fish while baking Mix in hamburgers, meatloaf, and croquettes Make hot chocolate with milk
Cheese	Melt on top of casseroles, potatoes, and vegetables Add to omelets Add to sandwiches
Granola	Use in cookie, muffin, and bread batters Sprinkle on: Vegetables Yogurt Ice cream Pudding Custard Fruit Layer with fruits and bake Mix with dried fruits and nuts for a snack Use in pudding recipes instead of bread or rice
Dried fruits (raisins, prunes, apricots, dates, figs)	Plump them in warm water, and eat for breakfast, dessert, or snack Add to: Muffins Cookies Breads Cakes Rice and grain dishes Cereals Puddings Stuffings Cooked vegetables (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, and acorn or butternut squash) Bake in pies and turnovers Combine with nuts or granola for snacks
Eggs	Add chopped hard-boiled eggs to salads, salad dressings, vegetables, casseroles, and creamed meats Make a rich custard with eggs, milk, and sugar Add extra hard-boiled yolks to deviled egg filling and sandwich spread Beat eggs into mashed potatoes, pureed vegetables, and sauces. (Make sure to keep cooking these dishes after adding the eggs because raw eggs may contain harmful bacteria.) Add extra eggs or egg whites to: Custards Puddings Quiches Scrambled eggs Omelets Pancake or French toast batter

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