Chemotherapy diet is basically a nutritious, well balanced diet followed during and after chemotherapy to reduce the side effects, strengthen the immunity and to build up energy levels. Well nourished and healthy body would withstand the drugs and respond well to the treatment.

Including essential nutrients in the diet rebuilds normal tissues that are affected during chemotherapy. It is also not good to be either overweight or underweight as it could hamper the treatment.

Diet for chemotherapy should be rich in proteins, certain vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Some main sources of these nutrients are-

Fresh Fruits like apples, grapes, pomegranate, cherries, strawberries, etc provide the required nutrients along with antioxidants. A mixture of these fruits cut into pieces should be eaten everyday. Fresh fruit juices could also be consumed retaining the fiber.

Vegetables provide vitamins and minerals that include antioxidants. Some of them could be eaten raw and some cooked or in the form of soups. Vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, green beans, sprouts like lentils, kidney beans, leafy vegetables like spinach, capsicum should be included in the diet.

Plenty of salads like tomato, carrot, cucumber, radish, etc dressed in olive oil or curd could be included in the diet.

Protein rich foods like milk, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, peanut butter, dried beans, and tofu strengthen our immunity and energy levels. Hence, they should be included in the diet.

Grains and starches like whole wheat or multi-grain bread, rice, bran, cereal, oats, etc provide the body with carbohydrates and B vitamins and hence should be a part of our everyday diet.

The logic is that you should have a lot of variety in your other vegetables. There are no hard and fast rules; however, choose one vegetable and fruit from each color group- like carrots and pumpkin from orange, corn and squashes from yellow, capsicums and French beans from green and tomatoes and red bell peppers from the red group.

Like pregnant women, you might develop a fetish for certain foods. That is absolutely normal, so just indulge yourself. Eat whatever you feel like and as and how your body tells you. This is a temporary effect.

Some tips for a good diet during and after chemotherapy

• Eat 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables.
• 2-3 servings of whole grain bread, rice, etc.
• Limit fat intake to 30% of calories
• Limit intake of simple sugars and fatty foods.
• Have small 5-6 meals a day than 3 large meals
• Drink plenty of fluids and water.
• Take a small walk before and after a meal.
• Avoid meat or heavy dairy products.
• Make your schedule for the day and follow it regularly.

Liquid Diet- Protein rich liquids like fruit juices, cheese soup, fresh or frozen plain yogurt, honey, milk, smoothies, fruit milkshakes, soy mils, etc can be consumed.

Protein rich Diet- This could include beans, nuts, curd, buttermilk, eggs, fat free cheese, fat free milk, tofu and other Soy products.

Soft Diet- Soft meals like milkshakes, yogurt and pudding, pureed vegetables, mashed boiled potatoes or cooked carrots can be consumed.

Cold Diet- Frozen fruits, cold soups, frozen yogurt, cold custard milkshakes, plain ice cream could be consumed especially in case of nausea.

Diet for chemotherapy patients  could vary from person to person as far as specific foods are concerned. It is essential to consult your doctor before starting a particular diet. At the same time, it is essential that your diet should have all the essential proteins, minerals, some of the vitamins, carbohydrates preferably from natural sources