Eating well during treatment.
During cancer, the illness and its treatments often take away your appetite and change how food tastes. Keeping your weight and your muscles helps you cope better with treatment and recover.
Why weight matters.
Weight loss is not a detail to keep an eye on later.
A common loss
Many people lose weight during cancer, sometimes without realising it. It is mainly muscle that is lost.
Treatment that is easier to cope with
Staying well nourished helps you cope better with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, and limits tiredness.
Even if you carry a few extra kilos
You can lack protein while being overweight. It is recent weight loss that should raise the alarm, not the number on the scales.
When treatment gets in the way of eating.
A few simple steps, depending on what is bothering you.
No appetite
Eat little and often, five to six small meals a day rather than three large ones. Keep foods you like within reach and start the meal with the most nourishing food.
A metallic taste, or no taste at all
Use plastic or wooden cutlery. Liven up dishes with herbs, lemon or mild spices. Served chilled or at room temperature, food gives off less smell.
Nausea
Eat slowly, in small amounts, and drink between meals rather than with them. Fresh, mild-smelling foods often go down better. Air the room before sitting down to eat.
A dry or sore mouth
Choose soft, moist textures: purées, creamy desserts, soups, dishes in sauce. Avoid anything acidic, spicy or very hot, and rinse your mouth often.
Severe tiredness
Cook ahead on the days when you feel better, accept help from your loved ones and keep ready-to-eat snacks to hand.
Trouble swallowing
If liquids make you cough, it may be aspiration: talk to your doctor. Gelled water or thickened water can help you drink while limiting this risk.
When your plate is no longer enough.
An oral nutritional supplement provides plenty of energy and protein in a small volume.
On medical advice
Your doctor, oncologist or dietitian decides whether you need one, which one and for how long.
A small volume
One bottle of Delical Concentré provides 29 g of protein and 452 kcal in 200 ml. It is taken in addition to meals, not instead of them.
If you get tired of the taste
Change flavour, try a creamy dessert or a fresher fruity drink, or use the products in cooking.
When to talk to your doctor.
Don’t wait for your next appointment if any of these signs appear.
You are losing weight
You have lost weight without trying, even a few kilos, or your clothes have become too loose.
You are eating less
For more than a week, you have been eating only half of your usual meals.
You can no longer eat or drink
Nausea, vomiting, mouth pain or swallowing difficulties stop you from eating or drinking normally.
See also.
Are you eating as you used to?
The one-minute test, to find out whether you should talk to your doctor.
Calculate your Delidose
Count the chevrons on your supplements. If you are malnourished, the basic guide is 3 chevrons a day.
Keeping your muscles as you age
Slow down muscle loss with protein at every meal and a little movement.
Before and after an operation
Be in good shape for surgery and heal more easily, thanks to what you eat.
Pressure sores and wound healing
Dressings protect, nutrition repairs. A simple guide for each stage.
Living with your supplements
Taking them properly, storing them, not getting tired of them and travelling with them.
Drinking well when swallowing is hard
Drinking enough every day without drinks going down the wrong way, with a printable diary.
Helping a loved one to eat and drink
The right steps at mealtimes, with a reminder sheet to put up in the kitchen.
Need advice?
You don’t have to search alone. Talk to your doctor, your dietitian or your pharmacist. Our team is also happy to answer your questions about our products.
Sources
- Muscaritoli M, et al. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer. Clin Nutr. 2021;40(5):2898-2913. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.005
- Cederholm T, et al. GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition. A consensus report from the global clinical nutrition community. Clin Nutr. 2019;38(1):1-9. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2018.08.002
Updated: November 2026.
Reviewed by Steeve Roland, physiotherapist, over 20 years in clinical nutrition, founder of BSNUTRITION · Updated on
Publisher: BS NUTRITION SA, Rue de l’Industrie 20, 1400 Nivelles, Belgium. Legal notice