I, as a nutritionist, am most frequently asked, "What diet should I follow when I'm undergoing cancer treatment?" The truth is, there is no "special" diet for cancer treatment. No single food or diet can cure cancer. But, eating well and maintaining your weight will give your body the strength it needs to fight this disease. That is what is paramount for fighting cancer: eating well and maintaining your weight even if you are above your ideal weight (weight loss programs can be initiated when treatment is complete unless otherwise advised by your physician).

This is sometimes easier said than done. For my patients with cancer, I recommend all the same things I would suggest to anyone, base your diet on washed fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy products, and lean sources of protein. Limit your consumption of fat, especially saturated fat, and alcohol, while drinking enough water and eating high fiber foods (which you are already doing by basing your diet on fresh fruits vegetables and whole grains). Balance all this with exercise. When your appetite is poor and maintaining your weight becomes difficult, it is time to pay less attention to all those old nutrition tidbits.

A poor appetite is a hallmark of cancer treatment. There are numerous factors that can contribute to a poor appetite. Determining the factors that are affecting your appetite is the first step in combating the problem. Poor appetite can be caused by changes in metabolism, pain, constipation, fatigue, stress, depression or any combination of these problems. Determining the cause of your poor appetite can help your health care team most effectively treat the problem. Sometimes it is as simple as better pain control.

If the remedy for a poor appetite is not that simple, it is time to strategize and develop a nutrition plan. Other changes in your daily routine in addition to a change in diet, or even without a change in your diet, can help you maintain good nutrition during cancer treatment.

When your appetite is poor, dealing with mealtimes can be a stressful situation. In our country, food and mealtimes are used for family gatherings, celebrations, as signs of affection, as well as nourishment for our bodies. Changing eating habits, whether by choice (going on a diet) or an involuntary change (in reaction to illness) is an enormous lifestyle change and is not easy for anyone. This change can affect you, the patient, as well as the people around you.

Change your expectations. People expect to do what it is they always did, such as sit down to dinner with the family and eat whatever it is that is put on their plate. This often is not possible when you have a poor appetite. Often a change of attitude can help remedy the problem. Don't expect your eating habits to be the same as they have always been. Do not expect your body to tell you it needs food with hunger pains. Instead of eating 3 regular meals when you are hungry, plan a schedule of mini meals to eat at specified times. Eat according to the clock instead of what your body tells you. This is truly fighting your disease.

Set yourself up for success by serving small portions on a large plate, or serving soups and cereals in a large mug instead of a bowl. This is less intimidating than a large plate of food or a large bowl that you could never finish.

Concentrate on keeping the mealtime environment peaceful and enjoyable. Change the place you eat. Often eating in the living room or den instead of the dining room or kitchen can help distract you to make the meal more pleasant. If you never eat in the kitchen, give it a try. When the weather is nice make a picnic and eat outside. Selecting "comfort foods" or foods that remind you of your happy times can be helpful. For some, corn on the cob may bring back a memory of a happy July 4th. Often foods you liked as a child will be well tolerated during times of a poor appetite.

Ask for help when you need it. Cooking or even simple meal preparation can be an exhausting activity even for someone without cancer. Depend on delivery services and prepared foods. Ask a friend to put aside a small portion of whatever they have cooked for their family. This takes very little effort on your friend's part, but could be a huge help for you.

Eating well during cancer treatment takes some innovation and creativity on your part but when accomplished the benefits far outweigh the effort. When you eat well you have more energy, less side effects from treatment, and a better sense of well being.