Nutrition and Complementary Therapies for Cancer Patients

Support your body, mind, and spirit during and after treatment

A cancer diagnosis can leave you feeling like you’ve lost control over your body and your future. But even in the midst of treatment, there are meaningful ways to support your health, comfort, and resilience.

In this post, you’ll find practical nutrition tips, including what to eat during chemo. You’ll also get guidance on safe, evidence-based complementary therapies for cancer patients that may support healing both physically and emotionally.

We’ll explore the difference between complementary and alternative therapies, and how to know when a therapy is safe to include in your care plan. Plus, you’ll find a self-care checklist designed to help you support your body, mind, and spirit during and after treatment.

Nutrition During Cancer Treatment: What to Eat and Why It Matters

1. Focus on Whole, Nutrient-Dense Foods

The food you eat can influence your strength, immune function, energy, and how well you tolerate treatment. If you’ve been wondering what to eat during chemo or other treatment, here are five evidence-informed nutrition principles to support your body during cancer care:

What to eat:

• Fruits & Vegetables: Berries, bananas, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, beets.

• Whole Grains: Oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole grain toast, whole wheat pasta

• Lean Proteins: Chicken, fish, tofu, eggs, beans, lentils, Greek yogurt

• Healthy Fats: Avocado, olive oil, flaxseeds, nut butters, walnuts

Incorporation tips:

• Make a smoothie with spinach, frozen berries, banana, and Greek yogurt for a nutrient-packed breakfast

• Add avocado or olive oil to soups, salads, or sandwiches for extra calories and healthy fats

• Keep pre-cooked grains and roasted veggies in your fridge for quick meals

• If meat is unappealing, try soft plant-based options like hummus, scrambled tofu, or lentil soup

2. Stay Hydrated

Hydration helps prevent fatigue, aids digestion, supports organ function, and flushes toxins released by treatments.

What to drink:

• Water with lemon or cucumber slices

• Herbal teas (ginger or peppermint can ease nausea)

• Electrolyte drinks (low sugar, such as coconut water or electrolyte powders approved by your care team)

• Clear broths, bone broth for added minerals and hydration

Tips:

• Keep a water bottle nearby and sip throughout the day

• Use a straw if it makes drinking easier when you're nauseated

• Add a splash of fruit juice or mint to water for flavor if plain water is unappealing

3. Adjust Your Diet Based on Symptoms

Cancer treatments often affect appetite, taste, and digestion. Eating can feel like a challenge, but small adaptations can make a big difference.

If you have:

• Nausea: Try dry toast, rice, applesauce, bananas, ginger tea

• Mouth Sores: Avoid spicy or acidic foods; opt for soft, cool options like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, or scrambled eggs

• Taste Changes: Experiment with herbs, spices, or tart flavors like lemon juice or vinegar to enhance appeal

• Constipation: Increase fiber slowly with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains + lots of fluids

• Diarrhea: Focus on binding foods like white rice, bananas, applesauce, and low-fiber toast

4. Eat Small, Frequent Meals

When your appetite is low, or when eating large meals feels overwhelming, grazing may be easier to tolerate.

Tips:

• Eat every 2–3 hours, even if it’s just a few bites

• Keep easy-to-grab snacks nearby: trail mix, protein bars, hard-boiled eggs, nut butter packets, applesauce cups

• Set timers if you tend to forget or avoid eating due to fatigue

• Use smoothies or meal-replacement shakes as calorie-rich meals when chewing is difficult

5. Be Cautious With Supplements

Not all supplements are safe during treatment. Some vitamins, antioxidants, or herbal products can interfere with chemo or radiation, or affect how medications are absorbed.

Guidance:

• Always talk with your oncologist or care team before starting any supplement

• Choose supplements only if recommended by your provider or oncology dietitian

• Beware of “natural cures” promoted online. Many are unproven or unsafe

Your body is doing something extraordinary. Fighting, healing, adapting. Food is one way you can support that effort, nourish your strength, and feel empowered in your care. Even small, intentional choices (like a sip of ginger tea, or a bite of protein) can have a big impact.

Understanding your lab results can help you make informed nutrition and care decisions — here’s a beginner’s guide to reading them.

Complementary Therapies for Cancer to Consider

These therapies are used alongside your standard treatment, not instead of it. Many are safe and beneficial when integrated into your care with guidance from your provider.

• Massage Therapy: Reduces muscle tension and promotes relaxation

• Acupuncture: May help relieve nausea, neuropathy, and fatigue

• Aromatherapy: Essential oils like peppermint or lavender may ease symptoms

• Craniosacral Therapy: A gentle hands-on approach that helps release tension in the body and calm the nervous system. It’s often used to relieve anxiety, support sleep, and ease emotional stress during and after treatment

• Music or Art Therapy: Promotes emotional healing through creative expression

Always talk to your care team before adding any new therapy or supplement to your routine.

💌 Download your Self-Care List for Cancer Patients for a simple, calming reminder to care for your body, mind, and spirit throughout treatment.

Comparison Chart: Complementary vs Alternative Cancer Therapies

	Complementary Cancer Therapies	Alternative Cancer Therapies
Definition	Used alongside standard cancer treatments (chemo, surgery, radiation) to support well-being.	Used instead of standard cancer treatments, hoping to cure cancer naturally.
Purpose	Help manage symptoms, reduce side effects, and improve emotional health.	Attempt to replace conventional treatments to treat or cure cancer.
Examples	Acupuncture, massage, meditation, yoga, nutritional counseling, music/art therapy.	Gerson therapy, high-dose vitamin C, mistletoe injections, strict alternative diets, herbal regimens.
Scientific Support	Backed by studies for symptom relief & quality of life.	Very few have strong scientific evidence of curing cancer. Most are unproven or disproven.
Risk Level	Generally safe if guided by qualified professionals and disclosed to your oncology team.	High risk if used alone—may allow cancer to grow or spread without effective treatment.
Medical Recommendation	Encouraged with conventional care by most oncology teams.	Discouraged by allopatic doctors instead of evidence-based treatment unless part of a clinical trial.

Can Alternative Treatments Cure Cancer?

At this time, there is no scientific proof that alternative treatments alone can cure cancer.

Some natural therapies, like certain diets, supplements, or mind-body practices, can help you feel better and improve your quality of life during cancer treatment. When thoughtfully used alongside your treatment plan, they can ease symptoms, reduce stress, and help you feel more in control.

However, it’s important to know that relying solely on alternative therapies in place of treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation may limit your options down the road. Without medical treatment, there’s a possibility the cancer could progress or become more difficult to manage later on.

The safest and most effective approach is to create a care plan that combines the best of both worlds—evidence-based medicine and supportive, holistic care—with guidance from your oncology team.

Always ask questions. Always know your options. And always choose the path that gives you the best chance of healing your body, mind, and spirit. The best care plan blends both—what helps your body heal and what supports your whole self.

Final Thoughts

Nutrition, gentle movement, emotional expression, and complementary therapies can help you feel more grounded and supported during cancer treatment. These tools aren’t just “extras”—they’re part of whole-person healing.

And while there’s no one-size-fits-all plan, you deserve care that supports every part of you: body, mind, and spirit.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure what might help, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Explore your options. And choose what makes you feel empowered in your healing.

But you don’t have to do it alone. As your cancer patient advocate, I’m here to help you prepare for those conversations, ask the right questions, and find the information you need to feel confident in your care. We’ll walk through it together—researching, exploring, and personalizing a path that feels right for you.

 This is your life, your care, your voice. I’m just here to help you use it.

Book a Free Advocacy Consult with Nurse Amy