Eating problems and cancer

Dietitians are qualified health professionals. They are experts in assessing people’s food needs. They can advise you about foods to eat or avoid, to help with any eating problems. They can also advise you about any food supplements that might be helpful.

You can ask your doctor or nurse at the hospital to refer you to a dietitian. In some hospitals, you can refer yourself. Contact the hospital’s dietetic department for more information. If you are not in hospital, your GP or district nurse can advise you whether:

• you can refer yourself to a dietitian
• they need to refer you.

A community dietitian may be able to visit you at home.

Some people with cancer may have specific eating problems and need to follow a special diet. This includes people who have:

• diabetes
• a stoma (colostomy or ileostomy)
• had all or part of their stomach or bowel removed
• had radiotherapy to their mouth or jaw
• a risk of bowel obstruction.

Your cancer doctor, GP, specialist nurse or dietitian can give you advice. 

There are things you can do if you are struggling with eating problems. We have more information on how to cope with eating problems due to:

• tiredness (fatigue)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• wind
• feeling sick (nausea)
• changes in appetite
• heartburn or indigestion. 

We also have information about coping with mouth problems, including:

• a sore or dry mouth
• taste changes
• difficulty chewing and swallowing.

If you are the main carer for someone with cancer, it can be difficult to know how to deal with eating problems, such as lack of appetite or weight loss. Mealtimes are usually an enjoyable and important part of life. It can feel upsetting or worrying if the person you care for has little appetite, or if they cannot eat much of the food you have prepared.

The amount someone can eat may change each day, and their likes and dislikes may also change. Try not to put pressure on someone to eat. This can be stressful for both of you. If you know when their appetite is at its best, you can make the most of it, such as treating them to their favourite foods.

If the person continues to struggle with food and is losing weight, speak to their doctor or nurse. They can arrange for a dietitian to help. A dietitian can advise them about what they eat. They may suggest nutritional supplement drinks to help.

The following advice may help you when shopping, cooking and serving food for someone with cancer.

• Ask the person what they would like to eat. If they do not know what they want, prepare a meal that they normally like and offer a small amount.
• Try to talk openly about their eating problems and what both of you think will help. This can help you both feel more in control.
• Give them smaller meals and snacks, whenever they feel like eating. If they never feel like eating, try to make sure they have regular small meals and snacks.
• Offer them their favourite foods at the times when you know their appetite is good.
• The person you are caring for may find cooking smells make them feel sick. Prepare food in a different room if possible and open the windows when cooking.
• Stock up on items you know they like. You can then prepare meals and snacks easily. Tinned foods and pre-prepared frozen meals can be as good as a meal that takes more time to prepare.
• If the person cannot manage solid foods, try soft foods. This might include porridge, bananas, soup, pho, mashed potato, mashed cassava or yam, roasted plantain, dahl, tofu, yoghurt, congee or milk-based foods like custard or rice pudding.
• Make batches of their favourite meals and freeze portions to use at another time.
• Moist food can be easier to eat and will help prevent a dry mouth. Try adding sauces or gravies.
• Add extra energy to everyday meals and drinks. For example, try adding fortified milk to tea or coffee.
• If the person would like it, try offering a small amount of alcohol just before, or with, food. Some people find this helps their appetite. Check with the healthcare team that the person can have alcohol.

As well as preparing food yourself, you may find it helpful to use meal-delivery companies. If you have difficulty getting to the shops yourself, remember many supermarkets offer home-delivery services. You may need to book delivery slots ahead. Or you may have someone who can shop for you.

Take care when preparing food if the person you are caring for may be at risk of infections, including food poisoning. Their doctor or dietitian will be able to advise you about this. Always use food by the ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates. We have information about food hygiene and lowered immunity.

If the person you are caring for has side effects from their treatment, talk to their healthcare team about what might help. Side effects can include:

• feeling sick
• being sick
• taste changes
• a sore mouth
• changes to bowel habits.

Make sure you have support. It is important to look after yourself and make sure you are eating well yourself. We have more information about looking after someone with cancer.

• Serve food in a well-ventilated room with the window open.
• Try to create a comfortable eating environment. Make sure the person is in a comfortable position.
• Present meals so they look appetising.
• Keep servings small. Too much food can be overwhelming and off-putting. The person can always have more if they want to.
• The person you are caring for may want to go out to a cafe or restaurant for food. You can call ahead and ask if they can prepare softer, easier-to-eat foods, or smaller portions.

Try not to worry if the person you are caring for cannot eat what you have cooked. Gently encourage them to eat but try not to push them too much.