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People come into Maggie’s all the time with questions about how to eat well after a cancer diagnosis.

There’s so much food information out there, and it can all seem very confusing.

I felt that way too: I qualified as a nutritional therapist after my son was diagnosed with leukaemia at 7 years old. He’s a healthy 32 year old now, but at the time, I threw myself into making sure he was eating the most nutritious food possible.

Now, I run one of the regular nutrition workshops at ҹɫֱ²¥. Here are some of the questions I get asked most frequently.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, is it too late to improve the way you eat?

It’s never too late to make changes. In terms of nutrition, you can turn things around pretty quickly. Eating well can make a big difference to how you feel, whether it’s before, during or after treatment. 

Should you go on a complicated diet?

There’s no need to create extra stress with challenging rules or unfamiliar foods. Really, it’s all about eating simple foods that will benefit you and fit into your daily diet.   

Do you need to be extra strict with food if you have cancer?

None of us are saints. If we eat healthy foods 80% of the time, the body can cope with the not-so-healthy foods 20% of the time.

Which foods should we eat more of?

Foods that are anti-inflammatory and have other good properties, like:

• cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, which are good for the gut
• berries, which provide antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage
• mushrooms, which can help boost your immune system
• beans and wholegrains, which are a great way to add fibre to a meal
• naturally colourful foods. If you eat a rainbow diet with different coloured foods - such as red tomatoes, purple beetroot, green spinach, yellow peppers – you’ll be on the right track.

What are some simple healthy habits to try?  

I’d say rethink your breakfast. Instead of relying on starchy, sugary breakfast cereals, try porridge oats or natural foods like eggs with asparagus or spinach.

And make sure you get extra vegetables into as many meals as possible. Throw your favourite veg into a stir fry, soup or salad.

What if chemotherapy makes everything taste like metal?

It’s common for chemotherapy to create an awful metallic taste in your mouth that puts you off eating or makes you crave something unhealthy.

That’s understandable, and you don’t need to add any extra stress. Get through your treatment as best you can, then you can eat more healthily when you’re able to.

Should we avoid Ultra Processed Foods?

We now understand that Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs), such as fizzy drinks, ready meals and highly processed meat products can damage our metabolism, gut microbiome, and blood glucose levels.

It’s best to swap them for real foods in their natural state and avoid manufactured foods with ingredients you don’t recognise.

If you had one final tip, what would it be?

Get chopping some vegetables! Or, if you're struggling with low energy or side-effects, ready-chopped vegetables from the supermarket make everything much easier.

For more information and recipes, look out for â€˜â€™ by Catherine Zabilowicz and Fran Warde.

Nutrition support at Maggie’s

Our expert teams will help you find the right nutrition support for you.

• Come and see us at your nearest Maggie’s
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at [email protected]