Updated: 7 hours ago
Nausea is a common side effect during cancer treatment, and it can make eating feel especially difficult. But there are ways to ease it, and small changes can make a meaningful difference.
Your treatment team may prescribe anti-sickness (antiemetic) medication. Taking it as directed really matters. It can help relieve symptoms and make food feel more doable again. When nausea is better controlled, many people I’ve supported find they have more energy, more resilience, and a bit more breathing space to enjoy food, or at least feel more confident about eating what they can.
It’s also worth thinking about anything else that might be contributing to the nausea, such as pain, constipation, or anxiety. These are often linked, and addressing them may help ease things too.
Small adjustments, whether through medication, dietary tweaks, or lifestyle changes, can all help make eating feel less of a struggle. If your nausea isn’t improving, don’t just try to push through. Let your treatment team know so they can work with you to find a better way to manage it.
Everyone’s experience with nausea is different. Listen to your body and choose what feels manageable. Some of these tips may work for you - lean into those. Others might not, and that’s completely okay. There’s no right or wrong, just what works for you in the moment. Start with small amounts and see what feels best.
Eat little and often : Try having five or six small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of three large ones.
Use a small, inviting plate or bowl : This can make your meal feel more comforting and help reduce overwhelm. If you’re able to enjoy a second portion, that’s great!
Try cold foods: If cooking smells are off-putting, cold options like vegetable sticks or oatcakes with hummus, terrine, mousse, melon, sliced banana, yoghurt with berries, cottage cheese, chia seed pudding, a small bowl of cereal, or a simple sandwich might feel easier.
Avoid an empty stomach : Keeping your stomach from getting completely empty can help prevent nausea.
Try dry foods : Toast, crackers, oatcakes, coconut curls, vegetable crisps, breadsticks, or rice cakes may be easier to manage.
Salty foods : Some people find salty foods like soup, broths, seaweed crackers, cheese biscuits, coconut curls, Marmite, or Bovril more appealing.
Avoid certain foods : Cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, spicy, greasy, fried foods, or anything too rich can sometimes help.
Suck on frozen fruit : Pineapple, berries, grapes, and cherries can refresh your palate and help with hydration. (If your mouth is sore or sensitive, this might not be suitable).
Staying hydrated is vital, especially if you’ve been sick.
Sip fluids throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at once.
Avoid drinking too much fluid just before meals, as this can worsen nausea.
Choose drinks that feel best for you - warm, cold, fizzy, still, milk-based, or non-dairy.
Herbal teas like ginger, chamomile, fennel, nettle, cinnamon, lemon balm, or turmeric can be soothing. They can be enjoyed hot or cold.
If drinking is difficult, try hydrating foods like jelly, ice lollies, melon, cucumber, yoghurt, or warm/cold soup.
Half-fill ice trays to make mini ice lollies to suck on. Try coconut water, yoghurt blended with mango, or ginger tea.
If you’ve been sick, drinks with electrolytes - such as vegetable juices, miso soup, broth, or coconut water - can help.
Make sure your treatment team knows if you are struggling to stay hydrated.
Ginger is well known for its stomach-soothing properties and may help with nausea.
Add freshly grated ginger to porridge, soup, smoothies, jellies, or desserts.
Try a ginger shot - either homemade (grated ginger, lemon juice, and water) or store-bought. You can dilute it with still or sparkling water.
Sip homemade ginger tea or try brands like Pukka Three Ginger, Yogi Ginger, Yogi Stomach Ease, or Clipper Lemon and Ginger.
Nibble on ginger oatcakes .
Ingredients
2 ripe bananas
100g rolled oats
30g pumpkin seeds
30g sunflower seeds
30g chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Makes 9 thick cookies
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a tray with baking parchment.
Mash the bananas with a fork, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix them together well.
Spoon the mixture onto the tray in rounded dollops and gently press each one down with your fingers to about 1/2 cm thick.
Bake for 13-15 minutes, keeping an eye on them towards the end so they don’t burn.
Cool on a wire rack and store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Slice a large piece of fresh ginger into chunks.
Boil the ginger in 500ml of water in a covered pan for 15 minutes.
Let it cool in the pan, then strain the tea.
Storage :
Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays for easy use later.
Serving :
Mix the concentrated tea 1:1 with fresh hot water and add a squeeze of lemon.
Alternatively, sip it cool by diluting with still or sparkling water.
Adjust the dilution to suit your taste or tolerance.
Again, think about what feels helpful for you.
Posture: Try to sit upright while eating and for a while afterward.
Accept help : If friends or family offer to cook or prepare snacks, say yes. Batch cooking when you feel better, using a slow cooker, or keeping pre-prepared meals on hand can also be helpful.
Get fresh air : A short walk before meals or sitting by an open window can help.
Try peppermint : Peppermint tea may help or try sucking on mints. Note: Peppermint can worsen heartburn or indigestion for some. You can also use peppermint essential oil - apply a couple of drops to a tissue and inhale, or use an essential oil diffuser in the room you're sitting in.
Explore complementary therapies : Acupuncture, aromatherapy, and relaxation techniques can be beneficial. Many people find aroma sticks (pocket-sized aromatherapy inhalers) useful. Your hospital may have a Cancer Information and Support centre (e.g. Macmillan or Maggie’s) where you can ask about local services. You can also check Cancer Care Map to find services near you.
Consider acupressure bands : Anti-sickness bracelets, like Seabands, apply gentle pressure to specific points (usually on the wrist) and can help some people manage nausea. They are available from chemists, Amazon UK, eBay, and health food shops.
Stress reduction: Reducing stress through time spent in nature, meditation, or breathing exercises can help.
Wear comfortable clothing : Loose clothing may feel better if you’re feeling nauseous.
Try a relaxation bath: A bath with Epsom salts may help promote relaxation, which can, in turn, ease nausea. Adding a drop of lavender, ginger, bergamot, or peppermint essential oil could enhance the effect, but it’s important to check with your treatment team to ensure it's safe for you, especially when using essential oils. Alternatively, placing a few drops of essential oil in the corner of the bathroom can provide a soothing aroma without direct contact. If you’re not feeling well, it’s best to have someone at home with you while you take a bath or opt for a soothing foot soak instead.
Nausea can make eating feel overwhelming, but taking small, manageable steps can really help. Be kind to yourself - it’s not about forcing yourself to eat, but about finding ways to nourish your body in a way that feels right for you.
It is common and completely understandable to feel pressure from loved ones to eat, even when you’re not feeling up to it. This can be hard to navigate, and it’s okay to let them know what you’re able to manage. You might find it helpful to suggest other ways they can support you, even if it’s not through food.
Try to avoid getting too tired, as exhaustion can make everything feel so much harder. Listen to your body and give yourself the grace to rest when you need to.
If you are finding things difficult, it is important to let your treatment team know - they can provide extra advice and support tailored to your needs.
If you’re navigating nausea during treatment and want personalised support to feel more confident around food, I’d be delighted to help.
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The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered personalised nutrition, dietetic, or medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for personalised advice and guidance regarding your specific medical condition or dietary needs.
Originally published on The Cancer Dietitian: https://www.thecancerdietitian.com/post/managing-nausea-during-cancer-treatment-what-to-eat-drink
