Certain foods calm nausea/vomiting, while others seem to worsen symptoms. Registered dietitians at Beaumont can supply of list of appropriate foods, and the oncology team can prescribe anti-nausea drugs as well. Eating small amounts slowly and frequently also seems to help. Patients should tell their doctor, nurse or dietitian if nausea or vomiting becomes a problem, so that an individual solution can be worked out.
If you have nausea and vomiting, choose foods that are easy to chew, swallow, and digest, such as the following:
- toast, crackers, and pretzels
- yogurt
- sherbet
- angel food cake
- cream of wheat, rice, oatmeal, or grits
- boiled potatoes, rice, or noodles
- skinned chicken that is baked or broiled, not fried
- canned peaches or other soft, bland fruits, and vegetables
- clear liquids, such as bouillon, clear carbonated beverages, apple/cranberry/grape juice, plain gelatin, Popsicles®, tea, and water
- ice chips
- carbonated drinks
Try to avoid the following:
- fatty, greasy, or fried foods
- very sweet foods, such as candy or cookies, or cake with icing
- spicy hot foods
- strong odor foods
Also consider the following to reduce side effects:
- Try taking anti-nausea medications at least an hour prior to eating.
- Eat small amounts, often and slowly.
- Eat more of the foods that appeal to you.
- Eat in a place that is comfortable, avoiding stuffy places that are too warm or have cooking odors.
- Drink a half hour before or after meals but not with your meals.
- Drink slowly or sip liquids throughout the day. Use a straw if necessary.
- Eating your food at room temperature or cooler, rather than hot.
- Do not force yourself to eat foods you normally like to eat because it may cause you to dislike them later when you feel better.
- Rest after you eat.
- For morning nausea try eating crackers or toast before you get up. Keep them at your bedside.
- Wear loose fitting clothes.
- If you feel nauseated during treatment wait a couple of hours before eating.
- Keep a diary of when you feel nausea, how long it lasted, what you ate, and where you were. Your physician or nurse may need the information to help you better manage your symptoms.
If you vomit, do not eat or drink anything more until the vomiting is under control. Then try small amounts of clear liquids. Try taking the liquids using the following guidelines:
- Drink 1 teaspoonful every 10 minutes.
- Gradually increase the amount to 1 tablespoon every 20 minutes.
- Then try 2 tablespoons every 30 minutes.
- Continue by switching to full-liquid or soft foods such as: fruit juices and nectars, milk, cream, margarine, pudding, plain Jell-O®, potatoes pureed in soup, cooked cereal, ice cream, custard, strained or blenderized soup, and vegetable juice.
Be sure to tell your physician, nurse, or registered dietitian if you have nausea or vomiting because there are a number of different things they may recommend for you.
It is important during cancer treatment to get enough calories, protein, and nutrients, and it may be especially hard if you have nausea and vomiting. If you find you cannot get enough calories in a day, your physician may recommend commercially prepared liquid nutritional products such as Boost®, Ensure®, ReSource®, or NuBasics® for a short time until you feel better.