PREPARING FOR TREATMENT
Eating before treatment
We suggest that you eat a light meal before receiving chemotherapy. Try to avoid any fried or greasy foods.
Prevention of nausea
After receiving treatment we have found our patients have less nausea if they are not hungry. You may need a mid morning and mid afternoon snack to prevent nausea. You should eat a bedtime snack for 2-3 days after chemotherapy. The best snacks are starchy and bland such as pretzels, saltines, crackers, toast, English muffins, bagels, vanilla wafers, animal crackers or popcorn that is not greasy. Avoid warm foods with strong odors as these take away appetite and may cause nausea. If you are nauseated, eat small amounts of starchy foods starting with a small amount of clear liquids – increase these slowly over time.
Morning after chemotherapy
Foods to avoid the day of and day after treatment
- Fried or greasy foods
- Red meats tend to cause a bitter, metallic taste
- Spicy foods are hard to digest
- Foods with strong odors, especially if you are cooking
- Toast and crackers
- Pancakes
- English muffins
- Baked fish
- Waffles Pretzels
- Animal crackers
- Yogurt Sherbet
- Macaroni and cheese
- Angel food cake
- Beverages sipped
- Pound cake
- Oatmeal Cereal
- Skinned chicken baked or broiled
- Fruits and vegetables - soft, bland
- Water
- Koolaid
- Crushed ice
- Cranberry juice
- Grape juice
- Soft drinks
- Popsicles
- Apple juice
- Jell-O
- Tea
- Chicken soups, broths
- You should bring food and something to drink with you to treatment
- Avoid bringing foods with strong odors in to the Treatment Room
- Avoid wearing perfumes or colognes in the treatment area/office
- No children under the age of 12 are permitted in the treatment area
