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Nutrition for the Person With Cancer During Treatment

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Diarrhea

Constipation

Pain medicines, changes in your eating habits, and being less active can cause your bowels to move less often and stools to become harder to pass (constipation). If you are constipated, try eating high-fiber foods. Also drink plenty of fluids during the day, eat at regular times, and try to increase your physical activity, if possible.

What to do

  • Try to eat at the same times each day.
  • Try to have a bowel movement at the same time each day.
  • Drink 8 to 10 cups of liquid each day, if it’s OK with your doctor. Try water, prune juice, warm juices, teas, and hot lemonade. (A hot beverage may help to stimulate a bowel movement.)
  • If you are prone to constipation, try to set up a regular bowel plan. This may include an over-the-counter stool softener or psyllium fiber. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what to use.
  • Use laxatives only as directed by your doctor. Contact your doctor or nurse if you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days or longer.
  • If it’s OK with your doctor, eat high-fiber and bulky foods, like whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables (raw and cooked with skins and peels on), and dried beans. Add these slowly to your diet to avoid bloating and gas.
  • Eat a breakfast that includes a hot drink and high-fiber foods.
  • Ask your dietitian to recommend a high-calorie, high-protein, fiber-containing liquid supplement if you need more calories, protein, and fiber.
  • Limit drinks and foods that cause gas if it becomes a problem. (See list below.)
  • To lessen the amount of air you swallow while eating, try not to talk much at meals and do not use straws to drink. Avoid chewing gum and carbonated beverages.

    • Foods that might cause gas

      Beans and peas, dried

      Rutabaga

      Avocado

      String beans

      Broccoli

      Nuts

      Brussels sprouts

      Cabbage

      Sauerkraut

      Turnip greens

      Radishes

      Cauliflower

      Milk

      Melons

      Spinach

      Mushrooms

      Beer

      Apples (raw), apple juice

      Cucumbers

      Eggs

      Fish

      Peppers

      Corn

      Asparagus

      Pickles

      Onions, leeks, scallions

      Sweet potatoes

      Strong cheese

      Mustard

      Spicy foods

      Kohlrabi

      Collards

      Lentils

    Gas might also be caused by:

  • Chewing gum
  • Not taking in enough fluids
  • Drinking carbonated or fizzy drinks
    • Not getting exercise
  • Chewing with your mouth open
  • Having constipation
  • Eating a lot of high-fiber foods
  • Eating foods and candies, chewing gum, and having drinks with sugar alcohols such as maltitol, mannitol, and xylitol (These products are often labeled “sugar free” or “no sugar added.”)

      • High-fiber foods to
      choose more often      *

      Serving size

      Dietary fiber (in grams)

      Breads and cereals

    		    

      Bran cereals
      Popcorn
      Brown rice
      Whole-wheat bread
      Whole-wheat pasta
      Wheat bran, raw

      ½ cup
      2 cups
      ½ cup
      1 slice
      ¼ cup
      ¼ cup

      3-13
      5
      6
      1-2
      6
      6

    Legumes

    		    

      Kidney beans
      Navy beans
      Nuts

      ½ cup
      ½ cup
      1 ounce

      8
      9
      3

    Vegetables

    		    

      Broccoli
      Brussels sprouts
      Carrots
      Corn
      Green peas
      Potato with skin

      ½ cup
      ½ cup
      ½ cup
      ½ cup
      ½ cup
      1 medium

      4
      3
      2
      5
      3
      3

    Fruits

    		    

      Apple with peel
      Banana
      Blueberries
      Pear with skin
      Prunes
      Orange
      Raisins
      Strawberries

      1 medium
      1 medium
      ½ cup
      1 medium
      3
      1 medium
      ¼ cup
      1 cup

      4
      2
      2
      5
      3
      3
      3
      3

    *Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
    Last Medical Review: 10/06/2011
    Last Revised: 10/06/2011

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