Nutrition Through Breast Cancer
By: Yhaimar Barile, BSN RN
In this Article:
1. Introduction: Nutrition Through Breast Cancer.
2. The Basics: Eating Well, Staying Active, and Managing your Weight
3. During Treatment: Managing Side Effects and Other Tips
4. After Treatment: Stay Strong in Recovery
5. Easy Tips to Get Started
6. In Closing
7. To Learn More
Introduction: Nutrition Through Breast Cancer
A breast cancer diagnosis changes many things in your life. Some of those
changes are how you think about the food you eat and your physical activity.
Good nutrition and staying active are important during this time.
Nutrition during cancer treatment helps your body:
Respond better to medications
Manage treatment side effects
Keep your energy when you need it most
After your treatment ends, continuing to eat healthy and doing regular
activity may help reduce your risk of cancer returning. These same habits
also protect your overall health as you age. Your body may need different
things during treatment, but the goal stays the same: eat to keep your
body strong and stay as physically active as you can.
Because nourishing your body is very important during this time, your
healthcare team may include a dietitian or nutritionist (experts in food and
nutrition). They will talk to you about what is best for you to eat. Here are
some of the things they might share.
The Basics: Eating Well, Staying Active, and Managing
Your Weight
Eating different healthy foods gives your body the nutrients it needs to heal
and stay strong. Most experts recommend:
• Eat mostly plant foods: Go for colorful vegetables, fruits, whole
grains (oats or brown rice), and plant-based proteins like beans and
lentils. Add healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and olive oil. If you eat meat,
choose lean options like skinless chicken or fish.
• Cut back on certain foods: Try to limit processed foods, red and
processed meats, sugary drinks, and foods high in added sugar or salt.
If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor. Even small amounts can raise
the risk of breast cancer returning, especially for women who’ve
already had it.
• Stay active: Movement can lift your mood and lower your risk of other
health problems. Your goal is to move your body most days. Physical
activity includes walking, stretching, dancing, or any activity you like.
You don’t have to do it all at once. Even a few minutes at a time adds
up.
• Keep a healthy weight: Some people gain weight during or after
treatment, and others might lose it. Try not to stress about it too
much. Focus on eating balanced meals and staying active when you
can. If you’re not sure what a healthy weight looks like for you, ask
your doctor or a registered dietitian who can help.
These healthy habits are a great start, but cancer treatment can bring some
ups and downs that may change how you feel and eat. Let’s look at some
ways to adjust when you’re going through treatment.
During Treatment: Managing Side Effects and Other Tips
Cancer treatment can affect how you feel about food. Some days, you may
feel too tired to eat. Other days, food might not taste right, or you may have
an upset stomach. These changes are common, and they may come and go.
Here are some ways to make eating a little easier while you’re going through
treatment:
If you feel sick to your stomach (nausea): Try eating bland foods
like crackers, toast, noodles, or rice. Sipping ginger tea or sucking
ginger chews may also help calm nausea.
If food doesn’t taste right: Add lemon juice, herbs, or mild
seasoning for better flavor. Sometimes, room-temperature foods may
go down easier than very cold or hot foods.
If your mouth is sore: Go for soft foods like smoothies, oatmeal,
yogurt, or mashed potatoes. Skip salty or crunchy foods that might
hurt your mouth.
If you’re not very hungry: Try eating small meals every couple of
hours instead of large meals. Don’t wait until you feel very hungry. It is
better to set a schedule that helps you stay nourished.
If you’re losing weight: Add healthy calories to meals (nut butters,
avocado, or olive oil). A registered dietitian can help you find healthy
food options.
Also, keep this in mind:
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially
water. Some people need electrolyte drinks if they’re losing fluids from
vomiting or diarrhea. If you’re not sure about how to stay hydrated,
check with your doctor.
Food safety is important: Some cancer treatments weaken the
immune system, which makes it easier to get sick from food. Wash
fruits and vegetables well, stay away from raw or undercooked meats
and eggs, and make sure leftovers are refrigerated.
If eating gets hard or you’re losing too much weight, don’t wait — ask your
doctor for a referral to see a dietitian who works with cancer patients. You
don’t have to figure it out alone.
Once you’ve completed your treatment, your focus will shift to healing and
staying well for the long haul. Let’s talk about what that looks like.
After Treatment: Stay Strong in Recovery
When treatment ends, your body continues to heal. What you eat and how
you take care of yourself still matters. Many survivors find that staying with
healthy habits helps them feel more in control of their recovery.
Experts suggest doing this:
Stick to a plant-based diet. Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans,
and healthy fats to reduce inflammation and help your immune system. Try
to limit eating highly processed foods and added sugars.
What about eating soy products? Whole soy foods like tofu, soy milk,
and edamame are safe for most patients. If you’re not sure that eating soy
products is best for you, talk with your doctor.
Also, keep moving your body. Physical activity helps your heart, bones,
and mental health. It can also help with fatigue, sleep, and mood. Choose
something you enjoy and make it part of your routine.
Activities you can try are:
• Short daily walks
• Gentle stretching or yoga
• Gardening or light housework
• Dancing to music you like
Weight gain is common after treatment, especially if you had early
menopause or hormone therapy. If this is a concern:
• Talk with your doctor care team.
• Balance diet and physical activity
• Be patient with your body as it recovers
At first, making these changes might feel overwhelming, but healthy habits
can be more manageable with simple steps.
Easy Tips to Get Started
Here are some simple ways to begin eating better and moving more:
Eat a vegetable or fruit at every meal and snack.
Choose whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, or whole-wheat bread.
Include protein from beans, eggs, poultry, or nuts.
Drink water throughout the day.
Take short walks or daily stretches to build movement into your
routine.
If your appetite is low, eat small meals every few hours.
Add calorie-rich foods like avocado, olive oil, or smoothies if you’re
losing weight.
Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian if you need help with meals,
side effects, or weight changes.
Remember, you’re not alone. Your journey can be easier and more successful
with support from others.
In Closing
Taking care of your health is a lifelong journey, and you don’t have to do it
alone. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about nutrition
during your breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. They can help
you find good information.
Whether you’re just starting treatment or if you have been in recovery for
years, small changes can make a big difference. Choose foods that nourish
your body, move your body in ways that feel good, and ask for help when
you need it. Your health matters, and support is always available to help you
feel your best— one step at a time.
To Learn More
1. American Cancer Society
– Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors
– Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer Progressing or Coming Back?
– Nutrition for People with Cancer
– Benefits of Good Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
2. Breastcancer.org
– Healthy Eating During Treatment
– Healthy Eating After Treatment
– Diet and Nutrition
– Nutrition and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction
3. Cleveland Clinic
– The Best Foods To Eat When You Have Breast Cancer
– Cancer Patient Diet Tips and Recommendations
– Nutrition Tips for Cancer Survivors
4. Johns Hopkins Medicine
– Cancer Diet: Foods to Add and Avoid During Cancer Treatment
– General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment
– Nutrition and Cancer Survivorship
5. Mayo Clinic
– Diet Tips During Cancer Treatment
– No appetite? How to get nutrition during cancer treatment
– Mayo Clinic Minute: Plant-based diet is encouraged for patients with
cancer