Nutrition & psychological support

The aim is not “eating well” in the everyday sense — it is keeping your weight and your strength. And psychological support is part of care, not an extra.

Eating during treatment

The aim during treatment is not “eating well” in the everyday sense — it is maintaining weight and muscle mass. That sounds simple, but it is one of the things that genuinely affects how treatment goes: people who keep their nutritional state tolerate treatment better.

Small, frequent meals work better than three large ones, especially when appetite is reduced.
Prioritise protein at every meal.
Drink fluids steadily through the day.
If something has become unpleasant to taste, there is no need to persist — change the food. Taste changes usually settle.

Diets and supplements

No diet cures cancer, and restrictive diets during treatment usually do harm: they remove calories and protein exactly when these are needed most.

Supplements and herbal products are not automatically harmless. Some interact with cancer drugs and can reduce their effectiveness or increase toxicity. Mention whatever you are taking — you will not be judged, it will be checked.

Psychological support

Anxiety, fear, sadness and anger are normal responses to an abnormal situation. They are not a sign of weakness and you do not need to handle them alone.

Psycho-oncological support is part of care, not an extra. It is also for the people around you — partners, children and carers are affected too, and often do not say so.

Movement

Gentle, regular physical activity is one of the few interventions with consistently demonstrated benefit during treatment: it improves fatigue, mood and the preservation of muscle mass.

This does not mean the gym. A daily walk counts. What matters is consistency rather than intensity — and it is adjusted around the days you feel better.

Frequently asked questions

Should I cut out sugar?

The idea that “sugar feeds cancer” is a misreading of cell biology. All cells use glucose. Cutting it drastically does not help and often leads to unwanted weight loss.

I have lost weight without trying. Does that matter?

Yes, it is worth reporting. Unintentional weight loss is not something to leave until the next appointment — it is much easier to address when picked up early.