Diet can be a key factor during breast cancer treatment. A nutritious diet is linked to reduced inflammation and a strengthened immune system.
Your diet plays an important role in managing your health during breast cancer treatment. The food you eat can help boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, and more.
Your diet can also help you manage treatment side effects.
Key nutrients include lean protein, healthy fat, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and phytochemicals.
The food you eat plays a key role in your health. It can help boost your immune system and raise your energy levels.
Nutritious food can help keep your hormone levels and the levels of important proteins, minerals, and other chemicals in your body balanced. This can be especially important during breast cancer treatment.
Can diet affect cancer growth?
There’s some evidence that diet could play a role in the growth of breast cancer tumors. Current testing suggests that a person’s specific genetics and the genetics of their tumor could change how diet will affect their breast cancer.
Other research is inconclusive, however.
A 2024 review of research identifies several nutrients as important for people with breast cancer. They include:
- Protein: Protein is vital for healing. It can help build muscle mass and strengthen your immune system.
- Healthy fats: Healthy fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They’re linked to improvements in heart health and increased vitamin absorption.
- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates can help fight fatigue.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables and include vitamins C and E and carotenoids. Antioxidants help prevent damage to your cells caused by oxidation.
- Phytochemicals: Phytochemicals are found in vegetables and fruits. They’re linked to cancer-fighting benefits.
- Omega-3-fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are
associated with reduced inflammation throughout the body. - Minerals: Minerals such as selenium, chromium, and phosphorus offer many benefits. These include fighting fatigue, strengthening the immune system, and improving heart health.
Your exact dietary needs during breast cancer treatment can vary. Factors such as your age, weight, and treatment can all play a role.
Additionally, breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can make it difficult to eat full meals. A registered dietitian or oncology nutritionist can help you create tailored meal plans during treatment.
General recommendations for promoting overall health when you have breast cancer include incorporating the following foods into your diet:
- Lean proteins: Healthy protein sources include beans, nuts, seeds, poultry, fish, seafood, and eggs.
- Whole grains: Whole grains are packed with nutrients such as fiber, carbohydrates, phytochemicals, and vitamins. They’re found in foods such as brown rice, pasta, breads,
- Fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables offer many health benefits. They’re high in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and phytochemicals. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts can be especially beneficial during cancer treatment.
- Plenty of water: It can be easy to develop dehydration when breast cancer treatment causes side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. Plain water is a great choice for hydration, but other liquids can also help, like electrolyte drinks and noncaffeinated teas.
It can also be a good idea to avoid certain foods during breast cancer treatment. These include:
- Alcohol: Alcohol is
linked to negative health effects, including an increased risk of a less favorable outcome with breast cancer treatment. - Added sugars: Foods and beverages that are high in added sugars are
associated with increased inflammation andrisk of breast cancer . - Fried foods: In a 2019 study with 620 participants, fried foods were linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Processed meats: Processed meats are meats such as bacon and sausage. A
2018 review states they are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.
Treatment can make it difficult to eat full and healthy meals. The following tips can help you get the nutrition you need while managing treatment side effects:
- The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) can help manage diarrhea.
- Avoiding spicy, bitter, or other strongly flavored foods, avoiding high fat foods, eating slowly, or using ginger in tea or food can help with nausea.
- Increasing your fiber intake with whole grains, vegetables, beans, and nuts and increasing your fluid intake can help relieve constipation.
- Eating several small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals can help manage low appetite.
It can be overwhelming to plan your meals each day during breast cancer treatment. It can help to meet with a dietitian who can work with you to create an easy plan that works for you and your schedule.
Some tips to try include:
- eating snacks such as yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, nuts, and fruit to maintain energy throughout the day
- drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water throughout the day
- making milkshakes and smoothies to help get nutrients and calories
- trying easy-to-digest foods such as soups, noodles, rice, and scrambled eggs
- making high protein options such as whole wheat bread with nut butter or walnut muffins
- cooking meals that can incorporate healthy fats, lean proteins, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, such as casseroles and stews
Eating a nutritious diet during breast cancer treatment can help strengthen your immune system, fight fatigue, reduce inflammation, and more.
Your diet can also help you manage treatment side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. Talk with your healthcare professional about the best diet options for you during your breast cancer treatment.