Nutrition FAQs
Q: What are the goals of nutrition during radiation therapy for head and neck cancers?
Nutrition during radiation therapy should help the patient feel better, retain their strength and energy, maintain their normal weight and the body’s nutrition stores, decrease the risk of infection, and help the patient to tolerate treatment-related side effects and to recover as quickly as possible.
Q: During the course of radiation therapy, will I be able to eat the same kinds of foods that I normally eat?
A: It will depend on the area of the head and/or neck that is receiving treatment and the amount and frequency of radiation you are receiving. Usually, the side effects of radiation will prevent patients from eating a regular diet. A bland diet is often recommended. If you are undergoing chemotherapy along with radiation therapy, you may experience a loss of appetite. Most people seem to drink more liquids and eat less solid food during radiation therapy. If this occurs, an evaluation by a registered dietitian is recommended.
Q: Why am I constipated, and what can I do about it?
A: Emotions, pain medication, and the lack of bulk in your diet — any or all of these may cause constipation. Your lower intestine needs bulk in order to function properly. If you have not been eating or drinking enough, it is possible that stool will not form in your lower intestine for two or three days. This is normal. The following suggestions may help:
- Try to relax.
- Engage in light daily exercise; even a brisk walk is helpful for normal bowel function.
- Eat meals regularly and slowly, and chew your food well.
- Eat fruits and vegetables like cooked carrots, bananas; drink juices (prune juice) or a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of lemon juice added before breakfast.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
Q: Why can't I taste the food that I eat?
A: Your taste buds also are radiated at the time of your treatment since they are in your radiation treatment area. They become inactive during this period, so your taste may change, and you won’t recognize some flavors. However, in about three months you should start regaining some taste. You might want to marinate meats in fruits, sauces, or soy sauce to add flavor.
Q: What if I don’t feel like eating?
A: It is very normal for your appetite to decrease during your treatment. Your regular routine of daily living has changed, and there are a lot of new things to get used to, including your taste for food and ability to eat. You may also feel tired, which can decrease your desire to eat and to enjoy food.
Make an effort to keep mealtime pleasant. Remember that eating well is one of your most important medicines. Try to “eat with your eyes.” At mealtime, stimulate your appetite with a nice table setting, pleasant colors, favorite aromas, and a peaceful atmosphere.
The following tips also may help to stimulate your appetite:
- Walk or participate in another light activity.
- Eat small, frequent meals and snacks.
- Make food preparation an easy task by choosing foods that are easy to prepare and eat.
- Select high-protein and high-calorie snacks.
- Drink a nutritional supplement to provide additional calories, protein, and other nutrients. A registered dietitian can recommend a good brand to meet your needs.
- Avoid beverages with no nutritional value such as black coffee and tea
- Plan meals to include your favorite foods.
- Make eating a pleasurable experience, not a chore. Liven up your meals by using colorful place settings. Play background music during meals.
- Try not to eat alone; invite a guest to share your meal or go out to dinner.
- Use your imagination to increase the variety of food you're eating.
- Use colorful garnishes such as parsley and red or yellow peppers to make food look more appealing and appetizing.
Q: Will I need a feeding tube during my treatment?
A: Most likely, yes. A sore throat is the main side effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. If your sore throat is severe, you may be unable to take in enough food and liquids by mouth to maintain your weight or avoid dehydration. Your doctor will place a feeding tube temporarily into your stomach (a gastrostomy tube), which will allow you to maintain adequate nutrition without having to swallow all of the food that you need. It is important, though, to continue swallowing even with a gastrostomy tube in place. Otherwise, your swallowing muscles may atrophy, causing permanent swallowing problems and making it difficult to stop using the gastrostomy tube even after the course of radiation treatment is completed.
Q: How should I wean myself from the feeding tube?
A: Try keeping a food record of everything you eat and drink. The time period varies greatly from one patient to the next. In addition to safety and nutrition factors, a patient's medical status plays a huge role. The ultimate goal of swallowing therapy is to have every patient fed orally. Feedings by mouth should be safe and adequate to maintain nutrition and hydration.