Immune-Boosting Foods For Your Chemo Diet

Chemotherapy can impact your body in a lot of different ways. We’ve talked before about some of the side effects it can have and how to manage those, but today we’re going to address one of the biggest ones. Lowered immune system. Chemotherapy damages your bone marrow, which is responsible for producing blood cells. Including white blood cells, which are the ones that help your body fight infection. So while you’re having chemotherapy, and for quite a while after, you’ll need to be extra careful not to get sick, as it will be harder for you to fight it and recover.

Just one of the things you can do to help is adjust your diet to include more ‘immune boosting’ foods. These foods won’t bring your immune system back, but it will give it a little support during these difficult times. So let’s take a look at what your body needs during chemo to give you the best chance of staying strong.

Protein

Protein is good for your body on a normal day, but it’s absolutely crucial during cancer treatment. Protein helps repair tissue damage during treatment, as well as keeping your strength up. There are a lot of different ways you can include protein in your diet, including:

• Chicken

• Turkey

• Fish

• Eggs

• Peanut butter

• Greek yoghurt

• Milk

• Cheese

It’s important to include proteins from a variety of sources, including plant-based. Plant-based proteins are especially important because they offer the highest levels of vitamins and minerals, so you get more bang for your buck. This can include things like:

• Nuts

• Seeds

• Hummus

• Beans

• Lentils

If you’re struggling with low appetite or swallowing is painful, protein shakes are a great option.

Healthy Fats

While your body is fighting cancer (and chemo), it needs more fuel than usual. Getting enough calories during treatment helps to keep your body strong, but it can be a challenge when you don’t really want to eat. Bringing in more healthy fats can help you boost your calories without adding lots of extra things to eat. Good sources of healthy fats include:

• Fatty fish, like salmon

• Walnuts

• Avocados

• Olive oil

Healthy Carbs

Along the same lines, increasing your intake of healthy carbs can help increase your calories. They also have the side effect of having a lot of soluble fibre, which helps maintain guy health and promotes regularity. So if you’re experiencing things like constipation, diarrhoea or nausea, these foods can help reduce the symptoms. Just try to reach for the ones that are minimally processed, like:

• Oats

• Bran

• Whole-grains

• Cereals

• Pasta

Fruits and Veggies

Yep, really can’t avoid this one! Just like any healthy diet, you need to get enough fruits and vegetables. Not only because they’re ‘good for you’, but because they’re chock full of vitamins and minerals, a good source of fibre, can lower cholesterol, help control blood sugar and help you maintain a healthy weight.

Now it’s time for a science lesson! Fruits and veggies are also full of chemical compounds called phytochemicals. This is a special kind of antioxidant that helps protect the body from damage, decreases inflammation and has been shown to reduce future cancer risk.

If you’re struggling to choose which ones to eat, aim to ‘eat the rainbow’ to maximise your intake of vitamins and minerals.

Liquids

Hydration is so important to keeping your body functioning at its best, especially when it’s struggling. Even if you don’t feel up to eating, make sure you drink plenty of water. Especially on days when you’re not feeling well. Keep a water bottle nearby and keep drinking water throughout the day. If you’re struggling with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, you can also consider adding electrolytes to your water, as this will help top up the essential minerals in your body that keep it functioning.

Are There Foods You Should Avoid?

Yes! It’s not just about being aware of what you need to be eating, but what you shouldn’t be either. It will be a bit annoying, but now is the time to be reading nutrition labels and preparing as much of your own food as you can. Generally, it’s recommended that you stay away from refined, processed foods, as well as fried food that contain a lot of hydrogenated oils, since they can increase inflammation.

You should also avoid foods that carry the risk of foodborne illnesses. It’s basically the same list that you get given in pregnancy:

• Lightly cooked or raw fish (like sushi)

• Soft-cooked eggs or foods that contain raw egg (like homemade mayonnaise)

• Unpasteurized cheeses and dairy products

• Unwashed fruits or vegetables

If you’re struggling to eat at all, or to stick to a healthy diet, then you need to peak to your healthcare provider. They can support you with a personalised eating plan that will fuel your recovery in a way that’s right for you. Taking care of your immune system during chemotherapy starts with what you put on your plate. By including a variety of nutrient-rich, immune-supportive foods, you give your body the best chance to stay strong through treatment.