Adjusting your diet to manage side effects of chemotherapy

Drink plenty of fluids

If you have lost your appetite¹ or have nausea or vomiting,² dry mouth,³ or dry skin⁴ 

Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids daily if you have diarrhoea,⁵ constipation,⁶ urinary problems,⁷ or anaemia⁸

Eat foods containing sodium and potassium

If you have diarrhoea or vomiting^5,9

Eat foods high in fibre

If you are constipated⁶

Eat foods high in protein

If you have anaemia⁸ or are very tired¹⁰

Avoid spicy foods

If you have a sore throat or mouth,³ are nauseous,² have diarrhoea,⁵ or have urinary problems⁷

Avoid salty foods

If you have a sore throat or mouth,³ or oedema¹¹

Eat 6 small meals daily

If you have lost your appetite,¹ have diarrhoea,⁹ or are fatigued¹⁰

Avoid alcohol

If you have a sore throat or mouth,³ are very tired,^10,12 or have urinary problems⁷

Do not drink or eat too much before bedtime

If you are having trouble sleeping¹³