How to Nourish Your Body During and After Endometrial Cancer Treatment

Cancer can boost your metabolism while curbing your appetite. And medication side effects sometimes make it harder to eat. But healthy, good-for-you foods are what fuel your body through treatment and recovery. Proper nutrition supports healing, lowers the risk of malnutrition, helps manage side effects, and makes it easier to rebuild your strength after treatment. 

You'll want to hold on to weight and muscle. Try to get enough calories, protein, nutrients, and fluids – even when your appetite is low. Your doctor can tell you how much to aim for. Frequent small meals and snacks might be easier than three large meals. When you're feeling good, try to eat more. 

Protein-rich eggs, dairy, beans, fish, and poultry can help you hit your calorie goal. So can avocado, nut butters, and seeds. Smoothies or fruit nectars and juices are quick options when you don't have much of an appetite. Apple slices with peanut butter, carrot sticks with a cheese stick, and pita bread with hummus are good choices if you're short on time. 

You may need to choose foods based on your side effects. If you're constipated,  drink plenty of water, eat lots of veggies and beans, and ask your care team about a fiber supplement. For nausea or diarrhea, try bland, low-fiber carbohydrates like oatmeal, rice, or toast. Soft, moist foods — think yogurt, soup, tofu, and smoothies — may be easier if you have mouth sores or trouble swallowing. Soothe nausea with ginger tea, ginger chews, citrus fruits, or peppermint oil. For dry mouth, boost saliva with chewing gum or hard candies.

Chemotherapy, radiation, and some medications can make some foods taste different, bad, or have no taste at all. Before meals, rinse your mouth with salt water, sparkling water, or ginger ale, or brush your teeth. When food is tasteless, add spices, marinades, lemon juice, or pickled foods. When food tastes metallic, switch to plastic or bamboo utensils. 

Some foods can worsen treatment side effects. Greasy, fried, high-fat, very spicy, or overly sweet foods may worsen nausea or diarrhea. If certain smells trigger nausea, avoid strongly scented foods. Cooled or room-temperature dishes may give off less aroma. During diarrhea flares, limit high-fiber foods such as whole grains, raw produce, beans, nuts, and seeds. Avoid alcohol. It may irritate mouth sores, worsen dehydration or stomach upset, and interact with your medicine.

Some cancer treatments can make you more vulnerable to infection. So it's a good idea to avoid foods that are more likely to carry foodborne illnesses. During treatment, steer clear of undercooked or raw fish, like sushi and ceviche. Avoid soft-cooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs, like homemade mayonnaise. Unpasteurized dairy products or "raw" milk are no-gos, along with unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Take in fluids any way you can. Water, herbal tea, and broth are good options. If water is too bland, add mint leaves or citrus. Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables, like iceberg lettuce, cucumber, celery, watermelon, and strawberries. Coffee's fine, but more than four cups a day can dry you out. Signs of dehydration include dark yellow pee, constipation, a headache, fatigue, and dizziness. 

Let them know if you can't keep food or fluids down or are losing more than 3 pounds a week. Ongoing nausea, diarrhea, and constipation are worth mentioning, too, along with ongoing pain, mouth sores, or trouble swallowing. Early help can ease these issues and avoid malnutrition. Your team may connect you with a cancer dietitian for personal support.

After treatment, your nutrition goals shift toward rebuilding strength and supporting long-term health. As side effects ease, gradually reintroduce foods you couldn't eat before. Continue to prioritize protein to help repair tissue and rebuild muscle. Track your weight, energy, appetite, and digestion to see how you're progressing. If you continue to have trouble eating or maintaining weight, ask your care team for guidance.

Try to fill most meals with veggies, fruits, whole grains, and other minimally processed foods. Include healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil. Choose lean protein sources. Limit highly processed foods, sugary drinks, and processed meats. But don't deny yourself a treat from time to time. You're a cancer survivor … you deserve a cookie or slice of cake! Focus on consistency, not perfection. Healthy choices made most of the time go a long way.