There is no specific diet for cancer patients. What is recommended is that any diet taken is nutritious, calorie and protein dense and one which provides a vast array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.Of course your appetite and ability to consume some foods may be altered and this is the challenge.We have put together some hints and tips for a good nutritious diet. Each patient is an individual though and should listen to their own medical team and specifically their dietitian/nutritionist for personalised advice.

• Start a nutrition diary where you can keep a note of what food and calories you have taken each day and you can also use as a place to express thought and feelings as you go through treatment. This can be useful for some people to not only express their feelings but also to chart their progress as they go through treatment. It can feel like slow progress sometimes and having a reminder of how far you have progressed can be helpful.

• Remember that ‘healthy eating’ can be construed wrongly. Labels of ‘healthy’ may actually mean ‘restricted’ if for example the information is sourced from a reduction diet regime or other dietary regime not specific to your situation.Some ‘healthy’ diets will be poor in essential fatty acids and protein because they are designed for weight reduction.

• Include plenty of oily fish, lean protein such as chicken, turkey, pork, beef and dairy products such as milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt.

• Forget low fat or reduced fat products you need these fatty acids to work together with other vitamins and minerals and to help maintain your weight.

• Make your drinks count. Using juicers to make antioxidant, vitamin and mineral packed fruit and vegetable drinks and smoothies. Add milk or  yoghurt or ice cream to these and you increase the calorie content.

• Make creamy soups rich in vegetables and taste. Using a blender to whizz to a smooth consistency can make them easier to swallow. Some soups, for example chicken and sweetcorn, can have extra nutritional value by adding an egg to them.

• Use a slow cooker or crock pot for casseroles rich in protein from soft, long cooked beef, lamb, or chicken with vegetables that simply melt in your mouth.

• If your mouth or throat is sensitive avoid highly acidic fruits in your drinks or smoothies.

• If your mouth feels ‘claggy’ and you cannot clear thickened saliva make sure you are well hydrated and try fresh pineapple. The enzymes in fresh pineapple (which is called bromelain) will break down the proteins in your saliva and help clear your mouth. Tinned pineapple will not do this as the enzymes are lost in the canning process. WARNING! This can really sting, so if your mouth is acutely ulcerated you may not be able to do this.

• Avoid tough or stringy foods as they can be hard to swallow.

• If nausea is a problem try some dry foods like unsalted crackers, toast or dry cereal.

• Remember every calorie counts and you should follow a diet that prior to treatment is dairy rich, protein rich and is full of fruits and vegetables to accompany and supplement. Eat more frequently, drink adequately and aim to increase your weight if you can before you embark on your treatment.

• Remember sweets and chocolates, crisps and biscuits, cakes and pastries are all on the menu for you prior to treatment. Enjoy these in moderation, they should be an extra addition to your diet, not a replacement for more nutritious foods.

• Immediately prior to radiotherapy you are recommended to have had small frequent nutrient dense meals. Stop eating at least one hour before therapy.

• If you have to travel to hospital, prepare food to eat on the way. Plan a stop on the journey and keep well hydrated. Don’t assume you will be able to get a snack at the hospital. They may have a poor choice available or no choice at all. Plan ahead.

• Be extra careful with hygiene. You may be more vulnerable to viruses or food borne bacterial infections. Keep in mind things like food temperature, how food you are eating is being stored and who has been handling the food.Be aware of hygiene when eating out too: buffet type meals could be a risk if you are having radiation therapy or chemotherapy (you don’t know who made the food, how long it has been at room temp, has it been reheated)

As with everything each individual is different. We have provided these hints and tips as a general guideline but we would urge any patient to consult with a dietitian as soon as they can during their treatment journey. A personalised consultation will ensure that individual requirements can be explored and catered too. If a nutritionist/dietitian is not part of your care plan we would urge you to ask for a referral to ensure individual needs are being met.