Cancer and cancer treatment may change your appetite. It may also change taste, how your body reacts to certain foods, and how your body uses nutrients. When you are in a good mood, eating enough food to get your body the necessary nutrients is not a problem. During cancer treatment, it may be difficult to eat enough food if you have side effects or are in a bad mood. If this is the case, you will need to adjust your diet to help you get the strength you need to fight off cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment. People with cancer often need to eat more high-calorie and high-protein foods, such as milk, cheese and boiled eggs. If you lose weight during treatment, your doctor may ask you to eat more fish, shrimp and meat and to include more oils in your food to increase calories. You may also be asked to eat less high-fiber foods because they can make you feel too full (and therefore eat less) or cause diarrhea. What diet is right for cancer patients? The answer to what diet is best for people with cancer varies from person to person. Your health care provider can help you understand your body’s needs and figure out how to help you meet them through diet. Eating right during cancer treatment helps patients: 1) feel better; 2) maintain strength; 3) maintain weight and the body’s nutritional reserves; 4) protect against side effects of treatment; 5) reduce the risk of infection; 6) heal and recover quickly; Eating right means eating a variety of foods that provide the nutrients you need to stay healthy while you fight cancer. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fats, water, vitamins and minerals. I. Protein helps repair body tissues and keeps the immune system healthy. Without enough protein, it takes longer for the body to beat disease and fight infection. Cancer patients often need to consume more protein than usual. Good food sources of protein include lean meats, fish, chicken, dairy products, nuts, dried beans, peas, lentils and soy products. Second, carbohydrates and fats provide most of the calories your body needs. How many calories each person needs depends on age, weight and exercise. Carbohydrate sources include fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, cereals and oat products, dried beans, peas and lentils. Fat sources include butter, oils, nuts, seeds, and animal fats found in meat, fish, chicken and duck. Third, vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for the body to heal. People who eat a balanced diet usually get enough vitamins and minerals, but it is difficult to eat a balanced diet while undergoing cancer treatment. If you are unable to eat a balanced diet during treatment, it is recommended that you take a pill containing a multivitamin and mineral every day. Many people also take their own vitamins and herbs. If this is the case for you, you will need to speak to your primary care physician for clarification. Fourth, water and other fluids are key to maintaining good health. If you do not consume enough fluids, or lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, you may get sick quickly. Jello, applesauce, sorbet and lollies are all liquids and it may be easier to eat these than to drink water. In addition, these items provide calories. Talk to your doctor or nurse about how much fluid you need to replace each day to offset fluid loss from sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting.