Tips for Patients

Nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after treatment can help a patient feel better and stay stronger.¹

Lung cancer patient nutrition needs

Good nutrition when living with cancer is important. Some of the symptoms associated with lung cancer and its treatment may affect a person’s appetite or ability to eat. Talk to a physician, a dietitian or other healthcare professional who should be able to help. Here we provide some advice and tips.

- Each person's nutritional needs during lung cancer are different. They are based on a patient’s lung cancer treatment plan, his/her current height and weight, and any other illnesses he/she may have such as diabetes or heart disease.²

- Although there is no prescribed diet for lung cancer patients,² a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, water, vitamins, and mineral is essential for patients coping with cancer treatments and the road to recovery.^2,3

- Among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, 61% have been found to be malnourished.⁴ In addition, a patient’s nutritional status can deteriorate during the course of cancer treatment, and healing also requires nutrients, extra calories, and additional protein.⁴ Therefore, it is important to get essential nutrients the body needs.

Nutrition tips for lung cancer patients

Listed below are some tips on how a person with lung cancer can get all of his/her nutrients:²

- Avoid low-calorie or non-nutritious foods and drinks

- Eat whenever patients feel hungry

- Supplement with high-calorie drinks if necessary

- Try liquid or pureed meals if patients have trouble in swallowing

- Eat several small meals throughout the day

- Avoid foods if they cause constipation or diarrhea

- Avoid food that is very hot or very cold

- Mint and ginger teas can help soothe gut

- Do not take dietary supplements without consulting with a doctor

- Eat sitting up. Do not lie down after eating

- Eat bland foods if a patient’s stomach is upset or mouth hurts

- Eat high fiber foods to help relieve constipation

- Talk to a doctor! 

_{1. ACS. Nutrition for the Person with Cancer During Treatment. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorship-during-and-after-treatment/staying-active/nutrition/nutrition-during-treatment.html. Accessed: 6 May 2019.}

_{2. ALA. Nutrition for Lung Cancer. Available at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/patients/treatment/stay-healthy/nutrition.html. Accessed: 6 May 2019.}

_{3. ACS. Benefits of Good Nutrition During Cancer Treatment. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorship-during-and-after-treatment/staying-active/nutrition/nutrition-during-treatment/benefits.html. Accessed: 6 May 2019.}

_{4. CAP. Nutrition in the Patient with Lung Cancer. Available at: https://lungcancercap.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/8_Nutrition_in_the_Patient_with_Lung_Cancer_3rdEdition.pdf. Accessed: 6 May 2019.}