Our friends at the Cinco Vidas Blog (The Beauty of Cancer Survival) have 8 great tips. Visit http://blog.cincovidas.com/i-have-no-appetite-on-chemo-tips-to-help-keep...

Our friend Heidi, RD at Duke Center For Cancer Survivorship provided us with the following information created by the American Dietitic Association. Nausea (the feeling of being queasy or sick to your stomach) with or without vomiting (throwing up) can be caused by your cancer, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. If caused by chemotherapy, nausea and vomiting can occur on the day you receive your treatment and can last for 3 or more days after your chemotherapy. If you are receiving radiation therapy, nausea and vomiting may start within 1 to 2 hours after receiving treatment to your chest, abdomen, or pelvis, and may last for several hours. Other causes of nausea and vomiting include intense pain, fatigue, illness, medications, and the stress of coping with cancer. Feeling nauseous for a long time can affect your appetite and can cause you to lose weight. If you vomit a lot, you can get dehydrated and have other problems from losing body salts. To find an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting, you need to know what is causing the problem. Prescription medication is often needed to control nausea from chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Nausea from anxiety and fatigue can often be managed by using physical and mental relaxation techniques or by making a change in your diet. Effective treatment for nausea may be different for each person. Here are some suggestions to consider: ◆ Eating six to eight small meals a day, instead of three large meals, will make you more comfortable. ◆ To help remove bad tastes, rinse your mouth before eating with a solution made of 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and 1 quart of warm or cool water. ◆ Bland foods and foods served cool or at room temperature may be easier to eat than hot and spicy foods. ◆ Foods that are very sweet, fatty, greasy, or spicy can aggravate nausea. ◆ Create a peaceful eating place, if possible. A relaxed atmosphere will help calm you and make eating easier. The room should be well ventilated and not smell of strong food or cooking odors. ◆ Sip fruit juices, sports drinks, or flat soda pop throughout the day. This will help you get enough calories, nutrients, and fluids. ◆ Hard candies, such as peppermints, lemon drops, and root beer barrels, can relieve nausea and get rid of the bad taste in your mouth. ◆ If you are vomiting, dehydration is a serious concern. While it may be very difficult, you need to drink clear liquids as often as possible during this time. After a bout of vomiting, rinse your mouth and spit out the water. Try not to drink for 30 minutes; then try to consume sips of apple juice, cranberry juice, flat soda pop, broth, or bites of frozen flavored ice.

Another tip from Heidi, RN & the American Dietitic Association High-protein foods: Boiled or baked meat, fish, and poultry; cold meat or fish salad; eggs; cream soups made with low-fat milk; luncheon meat; lean ham; nonfat yogurt Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta: Saltines, soda crackers, bread, toast, cold cereal, English muffins, bagels, plain noodles, rice Fruits and vegetables: Potatoes (baked, boiled, or mashed), vegetable juices, canned or fresh fruits, vegetables as tolerated (omit if appetite is poor or nausea is severe) Thanks Heidi!

Thank you so much for all of the tips! I have a small group of cancer patients that follow an alternative approach to their cancer regime. Does anyone have any nutrition tips or recipes for folks that do not want to consume animal products, prefer a low carbohydrate or no sugar diet? If so, please pass along! Thanks, Sable, RN

SMOOTHIES - I have had numerous emails recommending smoothies. In general, the experts recommend a high-quality whey protein powder, rice milk, soy milk (consumption depends on your type of cancer), milk, ice cream, mixed with your favorite frozen fruits. Mix in a blender to your preferred thickness and enjoy!