Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer and Resarch Pavilion at Saint Joseph's Candler.

Phone 888-819-1081

Nutrition Counseling

Recipes

Tips
Counseling

Tips
Because cancer patients have different nutritional needs than the standard recommended nutritional allowances, you may need to alter your diet. For instance, you may need to focus on eating higher calorie foods that emphasize protein, such as milk, cream cheese and cooked eggs, and eat less of high-fiber foods that may aggravate problems such as diarrhea or a sore mouth. The reason nutritional recommendations are different for a cancer patient is because they are designed to help build up your strength and help you withstand the effects of your cancer and its treatment.

Eating can be a challenge for many cancer patients as you experience nausea, lack of appetite or simply don’t feel like making a meal. Take advantage of the following tips to help you during this time:

Stock the pantry and freezer with favorite foods so that you won’t need to shop as often. Include foods you know you can eat even if you are sick.
Keep foods handy that need little or no preparation, such as pudding, peanut butter, tuna fish, cheese and eggs.
Do some cooking in advance and freeze in meal-sized portions.
Ask a friend or family member to help you with the cooking and shopping.
Talk to a registered dietitian about your concerns. They will be able to give you meal plans and ideas of foods that may help ease the side effects.
Stick with one or two foods you are able to eat and then branch out when you feel better. Try a liquid meal replacement for extra calories and protein.
It is very important that you try and drink plenty of fluids, especially on the days you don’t feel like eating. Try carrying a water bottle with your during the day to keep you in the habit of consistently drinking water.

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Counseling
At the LCRP you can make an appointment with a St. Joseph’s/Candler dietitian to discuss your dietary concerns. They can offer meal plans and healthy diet counseling if you are having problems with weight loss or gain, loss of appetite, elimination, fatigue, mouth sores, etc. due to the cancer or cancer treatments. The dietitian can also work with you and your family on a prevention plan to decrease the risk of cancer. Call 912-819-8557 to make an appointment.

Adapted from the American Cancer Society: The Do’s and Don'ts of a Neutropenic Diet

Here’s a quick list of some of the foods dietitians recommend for a neutropenic diet—and some to avoid.
(def: Neutropenia - An abnormal decrease in a type of white blood cells. The body needs white blood cells to fight disease and infection. – CDC)

Choose these foods	Avoid these foods
Pasteurized milk, sour cream, ice cream and commercial eggnog. Processed cheese and pasteurized cottage cheese.	Unpasteurized milk, yogurt, soft ice cream from a machine and eggnog made with raw eggs. Unpasteurized cheeses and cheeses with molds such as blue, Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Stilton.
Well-cooked eggs (whites should be completely hard and yolks should begin to thicken).	Raw eggs and undercooked eggs, such as sunny-side up.
Well-cooked meat, fish, poultry or meat alternatives.	Rare or medium-rare meat, fish or poultry. Cold cuts, stir-fried foods or fast foods.
Well-cooked fresh, frozen or canned vegetables. Canned vegetable juices.	Raw vegetables, salads, fresh sauerkraut and stir-fried vegetables.

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