When undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer, there are a number of side effects that are unpleasant. While the side effects are difficult to manage, chemotherapy may just be the treatment that can save a cancer patient’s life so enduring the side effects is part of the frustrating battle against cancer. One side effect that most patients experience when being treated with chemotherapy is nausea. This can be incredibly frustrating because it is important to be properly nourished during chemotherapy but getting the necessary nutrients may be off-putting because of nausea. Often, patients have many food aversions and have trouble keeping much of anything down due to the harsh medication. Avoid foods that are particularly spicy, sweet, salty or acidic because they can be notorious for causing nausea during chemotherapy. There are certain foods that patients do have an easier time with than others. Take a look at the foods below and if you are struggling with nausea, consider giving them a try.
- Bland Foods
- While, ideally are eating a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits and proteins, sometimes the only thing that will help battle nausea due to chemotherapy is to choose bland foods that are easy on the stomach. Things such as crackers, toast, bananas, potatoes, chicken broth and rice may be easier for your stomach to manage.
- Ginger
- Ginger is an age old remedy to fight nausea. There are a number of ways to get ginger such as ginger candies, crystallized ginger, and ginger ale. Mayo Clinic discusses the evidence to support using ginger to battle nausea during chemotherapy, “There is evidence that when taken with standard anti-nausea medications, ginger may be helpful in further reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting during and after chemotherapy treatments. Results from two studies of adults who took ginger for nausea showed that various doses of ginger before starting chemotherapy treatments helped to reduce the severity of nausea. In these studies, participants began taking ginger orally three days prior to starting chemotherapy. The ginger was taken in addition to a standard medication prescribed to reduce nausea and vomiting.”
- Sour Foods
- While it may sound counterintuitive, sour foods can actually help keep nausea at bay. Many patients have found that sour foods such as sour candy, pickles, lemons or limes may help in the war against nausea. Keep some sour candies with you at all times and put some lemon slices in your water bottle so that you can avoid nausea, even when on the go.
