What To Eat During Chemotherapy + 7-Day Meal Plan

As you prepare for chemotherapy, you might be wondering what foods are best to eat during your healing journey. I have included a 7-day meal plan for cancer patients. Here’s what I ate as I went through 6 months of chemotherapy, and came out cancer free on the other side.

You might also want to read What Is The First Thing To Do After A Cancer Diagnosis?

I want to preface this article by saying that I ate healthy before I started chemotherapy, and my cancer diagnosis was a total surprise to me as I was generally a healthy person. While I continued to eat healthy during my diagnosis and chemo treatments, I had to modify what I ate because chemotherapy changed the way I tasted foods, and could cause nausea. I will help you through this process, as I have been through this journey, and at the end of this article provide you with a 7-day meal plan for cancer patients.

Is it ok to eat during chemo?

Yes, but let me explain to you how chemo day works because it’s a very difficult experience, but you need food with you. When you arrive to chemo, they don’t start chemo until you have been administered the pre-meds through your port and your blood has been checked to make sure your levels are not too low.

There is one particular pre-med that you can actually taste as it’s being administered through your port, and it’s a nasty flavor. I am a health nut, but during this particular process just shove all the health stuff aside and pop a Jolly Rancher in your mouth. It is the only strong flavored candy that will help you get through that 5 minute process. You can spit the rest out afterwards, but just trust me and buy some! You will be so glad you did. Any flavor of a Jolly Rancher works.

When it comes to what you can eat during chemo, go for healthy comfort foods that help you get through the day. Remember, I have included a 7-day meal plan for cancer patients below. I always wanted warm foods that gave me comfort because I was cold, capping to save my hair, and my head was cold. In the beginning I sucked on ice chips to help prevent mouth sores, but I didn’t struggle with them because of a daily routine I did. I’ll share that soon.

Foods I took to chemo:

• Apple slices
• Strawberries
• Jovial sourdough crackers
• Avocado sandwich: Ezekiel bread toasted, with mustard, and mashed avocado sprinkled with salt
• Sourdough bagels with a warm chicken or veggie patty inside
• Pacific brand chicken noodle soup, heated and kept in a thermos
• Hot tea in a stainless steel thermos
• Water, sometimes I added Just Ingredients electrolytes for flavor like grape or guava mango (no citrus or pineapple)

Foods to avoid while on chemo

Unfortunately, when going through chemo, the most common side effect is mouth sores. I can help you prevent mouth sores, and it works, but let’s address the foods not to eat during chemotherapy. City of Hope is also a great resource for looking at foods to avoid. Their website offers a lot of information on the topic.

• Citrus, absolutely avoid all citrus until your chemo journey is over
• Pineapple, way too acidic for the mouth
• Spicy foods or strong seasonings
• Any foods that can cause constipation for you, like cheese and excessive amounts of animal protein
• Raw produce when eating out at restaurants, like salads
• Fried foods, can cause indigestion

Keep reading for the 7-day meal plan for cancer patients. You’ll find these meals are delicious and really help during the healing process.

How do you feel after chemotherapy?

I want to give you a practical look at the days following chemo, because you don’t have to have super rough days. My chemo days were extremely difficult because of my cold capping journey to save my hair. The pain that came with just cold capping was excruciating, so I was on high doses of Ativan to help me through this. I didn’t eat much on chemo days, but I did enjoy soups, crackers, and fruit the most.

The day after chemo I started my detox regimen. We will discuss that in a different article, but let me explain what I ate after chemo. The most important rule to remember is MOVE YOUR BODY. The day after chemo, try to go for a walk, rebound, and cook in the kitchen. Start living a close to normal life as you fight this disease. Chemo works so much better when you move your body.

Foods to boost the immune system during chemo

Chemo depletes your immune system, and especially your iron levels, protein levels, red and white blood cell counts, and hemoglobin levels. It’s important to eat foods to help raise these levels and boost your immune system to keep you from getting sick. Eat foods high in iron and protein for the most impact to bounce back from chemo.

I did not eat meat for many years before my cancer diagnosis, but after starting chemo I craved meat! I was actually shocked by this feeling, but I decided to listen to my body and I have been doing just that ever since. When I am craving meat, I eat it, but I still keep my portions on the smaller side and focus on eating a lot of plants. You’ll find more information in the 7-day meal plan for cancer patients below.

Every day for breakfast I ate the same thing, even the day after chemo. If you want to prevent nausea, do your best to eat healthy to avoid it. I truly believe I didn’t deal with nausea like most people because of my diet. I did have nausea, but it was minimum, manageable, and I still lived a very normal day to day life and never skipped meals.

Daily Breakfast:

• 1/2 cup of my breakfast lentils (my favorite recipe is in The Ultimate Kitchen Guide)
• 1 cooked egg with salt sprinkled on top
• 1/2 cup of cooked tofu cubes sautéed in olive oil with a little salt
• A small handful of sprouted walnuts, almonds, or sprouted pumpkin seeds
• 1/2-1 cup blueberries or strawberries

I share a 7-day meal plan for cancer patients below to help get through the journey. Please remember you don’t need to vary your meals, so once you find ones you can tolerate simply eat them over and over again. Chemotherapy is a chapter in your life, so remember that life will be different when this season is over. Stay positive and remember there’s an end date!

One quick note: It’s important that you eat sprouted nuts and seeds during your cancer journey. Chemotherapy can really damage your teeth if you don’t take care of them, so focus on eating foods low in phytic acid. Phytic acid causes tooth decay. Nuts and seeds tend to be high in phytic acid, but when sprouted it decreases the amount drastically. Purchase sprouted nuts and seeds and you’ll never go back.

Comfort foods for chemo patients

Healthy comfort foods during chemo definitely are starchy foods. Starchy foods are very comforting and they can provide a lot of nutrients as well as long as they are paired with a protein. I know many cancer patients find resources that eating a raw vegan diet is best, but for me personally I experienced severe stomach cramps when I ate raw. During chemo it is very hard to adhere to that rigorous of a diet. I wanted to eat raw, but I simply could not stomach it. I found a happy middle for myself of eating many raw foods with a mix of cooked foods, and I really enjoyed my eating journey during chemo.

The day after chemo can be emotional, and you might find yourself saying, “I don’t know what to eat.” Before your chemo day, read the 7-day meal plan for caner patients and have foods prepped and ready for the few days after chemo. It’s important to be prepared and ready because I can promise you the recovery will be 10x easier if you know what to eat. Pair these comfort foods with a protein like baked chicken, tofu, lentils, refried beans, or a protein smoothie.

• Baked sweet potato (white, orange, and purple varieties)
• Fruit salad with raw honey drizzled on top
• Cooked jasmine rice topped with a drizzle of honey and sprinkling of cinnamon
• Shredded chicken with honey drizzled on top and sprinkled with salt
• Boiled carrots and golden beets with salt sprinkled on top
• Mashed Yukon gold potatoes (no butter or milk) with salt and chicken broth or vegetable broth to provide liquid to make them creamy
• Sourdough toast with homemade applesauce spread on top
• Unfiltered apple juice frozen into ice pops to help with mouth sores
• Mashed banana on a plate, some berries sprinkled on top, with a dollop of peanut butter and a sprinkling of cinnamon

7-day meal plan for cancer patients

I want to provide you with a 7-day meal plan, so you know how you can eat during your chemotherapy journey. Like I said above, repeat meals that you love and keep it very simple. You will see that I repeat meals often and that’s because we are not trying to eat gourmet during chemo, we are trying to heal and survive the hardest season of our lives.

If you don’t want to eat meat, then swap the meats for beans. When you ever see a recipe for chicken noodle soup, just swap the chicken for chickpeas or white beans. If you see hamburger patty, make a black bean burger patty. I have recipes for plant-based burgers on my website. I found that eggs were so comforting and satiating. Always buy the highest quality foods you can afford. I’m strict on buying pasture-raised eggs, grass-fed and grass-finished beef, organic chicken (pasture raised when available), wild caught salmon.

Taking a blood builder helped me the most!

If you are dealing with low bloodwork panels, I want you to know that as healthy as I ate I struggled with it too. My doctor was never worried, and I was never in jeopardy of not having my scheduled chemo, but my levels were dropping with every chemo. 4 days before my scheduled chemo I started taking this MegaFood Blood Builder. I couldn’t believe it, but it worked every single time I had chemo. I was able to steady my levels once I learned about the blood builder and I continued taking it 4 days before each chemo until my chemo journey was over. If you’re struggling with your blood counts, ask your oncologist about this blood builder. My oncologist approved it for me.

Start every single day with the daily breakfast.

This will help jump start your day in the right direction with all the iron and protein to get you feeling great. If you want more variety for breakfast, then make oatmeal. The problem with oatmeal is that on its own it will spike your blood sugar levels, which is not good during chemo. Add 1-2 scoops of your favorite protein powder to the oatmeal, or drink a protein shake on the side, which will help stabilize blood sugar. Then, top the oatmeal with blueberries and sprouted nuts and seeds. My favorite protein powder is from Just Ingredients. It’s very clean ingredients and very high quality. Use my 10% off discount code to save even more money: AIMEEGUESS

Constipation After Chemo

Before talking about lunch and dinners, I want you to know chemo, and all the additional drugs added, can cause constipation. It is absolutely crucial that you work to get your bowels moving quickly, within a day or 2. You will feel so much better when you can have a bowel movement. Ask your oncologist about taking a Dulcolax to help. Another FANTASTIC way to get things moving with my drinking chia seeds. They give you the fiber necessary to really move things along.

• In a tall glass, add 1-2 cups of milk. Stir in 1/4 cup chia seeds. Let this sit for at least 20 minutes, and stir frequently. Add 1-2 Tbsp honey for flavor. I actually enjoyed drinking this. I found that I could easily consume up to 1/2 cup of chia seeds per day, and it was so helpful in those first few days after chemo.

Lunch ideas during chemo:

1. The Green Smoothie with sliced apples and peanut butter
2. Mighty green salad: spinach and romaine lettuce topped with red beets (cooked or raw), pumpkin seeds, shredded carrots, diced apples, cucumber slices, and kidney beans.
   • Anti-cancer salad dressing:
   • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (Costco brand)
   • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, organic and with the mother
   • 3 Tbsp raw honey
   • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
   • 1 tsp dried oregano
   • Good pinch of salt and pepper 
   • Whisk or shake all ingredients together. Store on the counter for 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
3. Charcuterie snack plate filled with carrot sticks, apple slices, cooked beets (can be found already cooked at Costco), a pickle, olives, hummus dip, baked chicken thighs or kidney beans, and sprouted nuts.
4. Tofu and broccoli over shredded cabbage: Sauté cubed tofu and fresh broccoli in a skillet with a little olive oil for about 10 minutes. Drizzle a little honey and soy sauce over the top. Once cooked, mince garlic and ginger and stir into the skillet. Leaving these 2 ingredients raw will maximize the nutrients provided in this meal.
   • You have 2 options: Serve this with raw shredded cabbage, like a salad, or sauté the shredded cabbage in with the tofu and broccoli. Cabbage is a wonderful cancer fighting food.
5. Pita bread pizza with a garden salad: Trader Joe’s sells a whole grain pita bread that’s made with just a few healthy ingredients. I enjoyed this warmed pita bread all through my chemo journey. Top the pita bread with Primal Kitchen Alfredo Sauce, then top the pizza with whatever sounds good. I always enjoyed something salty, like olives. Make this pita pizza a treat that you will enjoy, but try to limit or completely eliminate cheese because most cheeses are inflammatory. If you want cheese, then sprinkle some Kerrygold cheese over the top. Make a version of the mighty green salad, listed above, and add beans, a hard boiled egg, or shredded chicken for protein.
6. Butternut squash soup topped with pumpkin seeds and salmon salad. Instead of using tuna, switch to canned or packaged wild caught salmon or flaked fresh cooked salmon, to boost your omega-3’s, mixed with Chosen mayo and finely diced celery and apples. Top salmon salad on a bed of romaine lettuce and spinach. Add your favorite salad toppings.
7. Chickpea Waldorf salad: 1 can of chickpeas, drained and mashed, with a little Chosen mayo or plain yogurt, with diced celery, grapes, apples, and sprouted walnuts. If you’re feeling like you can tolerate spices, add 1 tsp (or more) of a mild curry powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with Jovial sourdough crackers and place the salad on a bed of spinach and romaine lettuce.

Keep dinners simple during chemotherapy

This 7-day meal plan for cancer patients has some delicious dinner Ideas that are always kept with comfort in mind. The evenings can be emotionally hard, and as the night approaches it’s nice to have a warm bowl or plate with comforting nutritious foods. I never concerned myself with eating raw in the evenings during chemo, but after the chemo journey is over, focus on eating more salads at dinner time. This is just a season, so find comfort and nourishment through healthy foods.

Keep dinners super simple. I often kept dinners to 3-5 ingredients, and that’s it. My family adapted to the simplicity of dinner time and we still keep dinners this simple today.

Dinner ideas during chemo:

1. Baked whole chicken with a roasted sweet potato and steamed spinach (lentils can be substituted for the meat):
   • In a slow cooker or pressure cooker place 1 whole raw chicken inside with 4 cups of water. Add 2 Tbsp onion powder, 2 Tbsp garlic powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook on high in a slow cooker for 4 hours, or in a pressure cooker on manual high pressure for 30 minutes. To make a gravy, in a saucepan add 1-2 cups of broth with 2-3 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder whisked in. Heat until thickened and add salt and pepper to taste. Freeze the broth to make soup. Use leftover chicken over the next few days for lunch and dinner.
2. Spinach and sweet potato frittata with blueberries:
   • A quiche has a pie crust, and a frittata does not. On the stove, in a skillet of your choice, add either 1 Tbsp butter or 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add 1/2 cups diced sweet potatoes and 1/2 of a finely diced onion. Sauté for 10 minutes on medium-low heat until the sweet potato is soft. Add 1-2 cups chopped spinach and stir to combine. This would also be the time to add any additional add-ins of your choice. In a separate bowl add 8 eggs and 1/4 cup of any kind of unsweetened milk. Whisk together with 1 tsp salt. Pour eggs over the vegetables. Bake the frittata in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.
   • If you want to eat plant-based, make a tofu scramble instead.
3. Chicken stir-fry over jasmine rice
   • Use leftover chicken from day 1 to create this very quick dish. In a medium size skillet add 1 bag of your favorite frozen vegetables. Walmart sells an Asian stir fry mix. Cook over medium-low heat until vegetables are cooked through. In a small bowl, add 1/4 cups diced sweet soy sauce and 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey. Whisk together combine, then add 2 Tbsp of this cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Whisk together. Add 1 cup diced chicken and sauce to the skillet. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has thickened. Serve over rice.
4. Tuscan white bean soup with sourdough bread or Jovial sourdough crackers
   • 1 onion
     3 carrots
     3 celery stalks 
     3 garlic cloves 
     3-4 cups diced Yukon gold potatoes 
     8-10 cups chicken or vegetable broth
     4 cups chopped kale
     2 fresh diced tomatoes 
     2 cans drained white cannellini beans
     Salt and pepper to taste
   • Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a soup pan and add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until onion is translucent. Add garlic, potatoes and broth, and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are tender. Add kale, tomatoes, and cannellini beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until kale is soft. Season soup and serve.
5. Grass-fed hamburger patty with steamed green beans and baked potato topped with gravy
   • To make a gravy, add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a saucepan with 1/2 finely diced shallot. Cook until shallot is translucent. Add 1 cup beef broth to the pan with 2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder whisked in. Cook until thickened, season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cup of Tuscan white bean soup, a garden salad, and a warm pita bread dipped in olive oil or homemade pesto
7. Baked salmon fillet with steamed broccoli and leftover rice or potato
   • Place 1 piece of aluminum foil on a cookie sheet. Add salmon, skin side down, and top salmon fillet with a sprinkling of salt (no lemon). Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. If your mouth is dry, add a lemon free tartar sauce on the side. 

Snacks:

Chia protein pudding:

• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 block of organic silken tofu
• 2 cups organic soy milk, unsweetened 
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
• 1 cup of fruit mixed in (optional): thawed cherries, or thawed frozen mango are my favorite

Blend in a blender until smooth, stir in fruit. Pudding will last in the fridge for 4 days.

Avocado chocolate pudding:

• 1 avocado
• 1/4 cup any kind of unsweetened milk
• 2 Tbsp cacao powder
• 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup or honey

Blend in a blender until smooth. This pudding does not store well long term, so eat right away or store in the freezer.

Applesauce cookies:

• 1 cup applesauce (homemade is best)
• 1 cup chopped dates, soaked in 1 cup boiling water for 30 minutes (drained)
• 2 cups flour, regular or gluten-free 1 for 1 flour
• 1 egg or 1 flaxseed egg replacement
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

Stir ingredients together, in a mixing bowl. Scoop cookie dough out on a cookie sheet with a cookie scooper. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Lightly sweetened mixed nuts:

• 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Stir ingredients together, pour into a sauce pan, stir frequently and cook until maple syrup is bubbly and starting to caramelize. Pour sweetened nuts on a piece of parchment and let them completely cool.

Jammy eggs with toast:

• Jammy eggs recipe: In a saucepan add water and boil (about 3-4 cups). Once boiling, slowly add 4 eggs to the water, one at a time on a spoon. Set a timer for 7 1/2 minutes. While they’re boiling, get another bowl of ice water ready, make sure there’s lots of ice. When the timer goes off, carefully scoop each egg out with a spoon and place it in the ice water. Let them sit in the ice water for 3 minutes. Carefully peel the shell off the eggs. Lightly salt the eggs and enjoy.

Blueberry apple juice popsicles:

• 1/2 cup organic blueberries 
• 2 cups organic unfiltered apple juice

Cut blueberries in half, and evenly distribute into popsicle molds. Fill with apple juice and freeze overnight. Enjoy with nuts or pumpkin seeds to stabilize blood sugar.

What to drink when going through chemotherapy:

Black coffee with a little cream

Matcha green tea

Just Ingredients electrolytes without citrus or pineapple (10% off with code: AIMEEGUESS)

Green smoothie

Cancer fighting juice: 6 Carrots, 1 beet, and 1 apple

Lots of water to flush out the toxins. Put a few crystals of salt on your tongue, let it dissolve, before drinking 1 cup of water. This helps your body absorb the water better and not just pee it out quickly.

I hope you found this 7-day meal plan for cancer patients helpful as you embark on this journey.