Eating Difficulties / Sides Effects During Radiochemotherapy

Sore Mouth

Drink plenty of nourishing fluids. If you find fresh fruit juices sting your mouth, try to drink apple juice, blackcurrant or rose hip syrup, peach or pear nectar instead, as these are less acidic. Some flavoured ready-to-drink drinks may also be helpful.
Cold foods and drinks can be soothing to a sore mouth. Try to add crushed ice to drinks and eating ice cream or soft milk jellies.
Avoid salty or spicy food which may sting your mouth.
Avoid rough textured food like toast or raw vegetables as they can scrape your sore skin.
Keep your food moist with sauces and gravies.
Try to drink with a straw.
Consult your doctor to get some prescribe soothing mouthwash or antiseptic lotions for you.
Use a children’s toothbrush to clean your teeth gently.

Dry Mouth

Drink regularly to keep your mouth moist.
Fizzy drinks can be refreshing.
Try ice cubes or homemade ice lollies for relief.
Moisturize food with gravies or sauces.
Avoid chocolate and pastry as they stick to the roof of your mouth.
Boiled sweets to stimulate saliva production.
Consider a glass of sherry before meals.
Chewing gum can stimulate saliva.
Consult your doctor about dry mouth; they may prescribe artificial saliva sprays.
Use lip balm for dry lips.

Taste Changes

Some people with cancer find that their taste changes, although most changes are only temporary. They may no longer enjoy certain foods or find that all foods taste the same, or they may notice a metallic taste in their mouths after chemotherapy. Occasionally, they cannot taste anything at all.

Focus on foods that appeal to your taste buds and set aside those that don't, but revisit them later as tastes may change.
Enhance flavors with herbs like rosemary, basil, mint, and spices.
Marinate meat in fruit juices, or use bold sauces like sweet and sour.
Garnish cold meats with pickle or chutney.
Refresh your palate with sharp-tasting foods like fresh fruit, juices, or bitter boiled sweets.
Try lemon tea or iced fizzy drinks like lemonade.
Accompany fish, chicken, and egg dishes with sauces to elevate flavors.

Diarrhoea

Reduce fibre intake from fruits and vegetables during diarrhoea.
Stay hydrated with fluids but avoid alcohol, coffee, and limit milk intake.
Consume small, light meals like white fish, poultry, well-cooked eggs, and easily digestible foods, avoiding spicy or fatty dishes. Eat slowly.
Opt for stewed or tinned fruits, like bananas and apples, which can help alleviate diarrhoea.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if diarrhoea persists for medication.

Constipations

Incorporate fibre-rich foods into your diet such as bran, muesli, wholewheat bread, pasta, brown rice, and fruits and vegetables with skins.
Figs, prunes, and prune juice are natural remedies that can aid with constipation.
Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids; hot drinks and coffee can sometimes act as a laxative.
Engage in gentle exercise to promote regular bowel movements.
Consult your doctor if constipation persists.

Bloating and Wind

Consume food and beverages slowly, chewing thoroughly.
Avoid foods known to cause gas like beans and fizzy drinks.
A peppermint solution made with two teaspoons in hot water may help.
Charcoal tablets could be helpful.
Gentle exercises like walking helps relief.
Consult doctor if persistent or severe pain.

Feeling Sick

If the smell of cooking makes you feel sick, opt for cold meals or pre-cooked freezer food to avoid cooking smells.
Allow someone else to handle meal preparation if possible.
Steer clear of greasy, fried, or fatty foods.
Start your day with dry foods like toast or crackers before getting up.
Begin with light foods like soups or egg custards when feeling nauseous, gradually reintroducing your favorite meals.
Sip fizzy drinks like ginger ale, lemonade, or soda water slowly through a straw to alleviate nausea.
Consume beverages between meals rather than with your food.
Request anti-sickness tablets (anti-emetics) from your doctor.

Difficulty in Chewing and Swallowing

Soft diets can become boring when people tend to rely on soup and porridge. But with a little imagination and effort, a soft diet can be both appealing and nutritious.

Personalize your soft diet by adapting favorite foods; use flavorful sauces, gravies, or finely chop meats and vegetables for stews or casseroles.
Blend or puree cooked meals to create appetizing soups if a blender is available.
Soft, nutritious food suggestions are homemade soups, well-cooked scrambled eggs, poached or flaked fish in sauce, stewed or pureed fruits, shepherd’s pie, pasta dishes, pancakes, braised meats, egg custard, porridge, cottage or grated cheese, milk-based jelly or puddings or yoghurts.

Poor Appetite

If you have a poor appetite, have small, frequent meals every two hours to manage portion sizes.
Make meals visually appealing with garnishes like lemon or tomato.
Try snacks like nuts or yoghurt.
Sub in nourishing drinks for small meals.
Eat slowly, chew well, breaks between meals.
If cooking smells deter your appetite, stay out of the kitchen or opt for cold foods.

Food Hygiene

Wash your hands before handling food and keep pets away from the kitchen.
Thoroughly clean cooking utensils and cutting boards.
Regularly disinfect worktops and replace kitchen cloths.
If storing food, cool it completely before refrigeration. Reheat only once, ensuring it's thoroughly hot. Be cautious with microwave reheating, as it may stay hot inside.

Healthy Eating Habit

Monitor your weight.
Eat less fat.
Avoid junk and process food.
Eat more vegetables, fruit and cereals.
Cut down sugar intake.
Cut down on salt.
Avoid alcohol.
Take natural food.
Fully cooked meal.
Avoid raw meat.