Some people with cancer may have a sore mouth, mouth sores, or a sore throat. These problems are usually caused by certain chemo drugs and radiation therapy to the head and neck area.
If you have these problems, eating soft, bland foods and lukewarm or cool foods can be soothing. On the other hand, foods that are coarse, dry, or scratchy may make you feel worse. You may also find that tart, salty, or acidic fruits and juices; alcohol; and spicy foods are irritating.
Rinsing your mouth regularly with a salt and baking soda solution (1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 1 quart water) helps prevent infections and helps your sore mouth and throat feel better.
What to do for a sore throat
- Avoid tart, acidic, or salty foods and drinks like citrus fruit juices (grapefruit, orange, lemon, and lime), pickled and vinegary foods, tomato-based foods, and some canned broths.
- Avoid rough-textured or hard foods, like dry toast, crackers, chips, nuts, granola, and raw fruits and vegetables.
- Choose lukewarm or cold foods that are soothing. Very hot foods can cause discomfort. Try freezing fruits and suck on frozen fruit pops, fruit ices, or ice chips.
- Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
- Avoid irritating spices like chili powder, cloves, curry, hot sauces, nutmeg, and pepper.
- Season foods with herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Eat soft, creamy foods like cream soups, cheeses, mashed potatoes, yogurt, eggs, custards, puddings, cooked cereals, ice cream, casseroles, gravies, syrups, milkshakes, and canned liquid food supplements.
- Blend and moisten foods that are dry or solid. Mix them in with soups or sauces, gravies, and casseroles.
- Avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol (which will cause burning).
- Puree or liquefy foods in a blender to make them easier to swallow.
What to eat or not eat when your throat is sore*
Eat |
Foods that may cause problems | |
High protein |
Soft, bland meats and casseroles like chicken and rice, macaroni and cheese, and tuna noodle casserole; creamed soups; eggnog, milk, milkshakes |
Spicy foods like spaghetti, tacos, chili; whole meats if not well tolerated |
Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta |
Bread if tolerated, cooked cereals, cold cereals with milk |
Crackers, hard-crust breads, salted rolls |
Fruits and vegetables |
Soft, non-acidic fruit and vegetables if tolerated |
Citrus fruit and raw vegetables |
Drinks, desserts, and other foods |
Non-acidic juices like apple juice and nectars; decaffeinated coffee, tea, and soft drinks; non-chocolate pudding, cake, cookies (as tolerated), pie; gelatin; ice cream, sherbet |
Citrus juices, tomato juice; caffeinated beverages, alcohol; chocolate desserts; pickles, vinegar, spices; potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, snack chips |
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
What to do for mouth sores
- Eat soft, bland foods like creamed soup, cooked cereal, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, and pudding.
- Puree or liquefy foods in a blender to make them easier to swallow.
- Serve foods cold or lukewarm, rather than hot, to reduce mouth irritation.
- Tilt your head back to help foods and liquids flow to the back of the throat for swallowing.
- Drink through a straw to bypass mouth sores.
- Avoid irritating spices, seasonings, and condiments like pepper, chili powder, cloves, nutmeg, salsa, pepper sauces, and horseradish.
- Avoid rough, dry, or coarse foods, which can scratch an irritated mouth or throat.
- Eat high-protein, high-calorie foods to speed healing.
- Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, and tobacco.
- Rinse your mouth often with a baking soda and salt mouthwash (made with 1 quart water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt -- shake well before each use) to help keep your mouth clean and make you more comfortable.
What to eat or not eat when you have mouth sores*
Eat |
Foods that may cause problems | |
High protein |
Ground, chopped, or blenderized meats, poultry, or fish; casseroles; egg, cheese, and bean dishes; milkshakes, yogurt, and commercial liquid nutritional supplements |
Whole meats, poultry, fish, dry meats |
Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta |
Moistened breads; cooked cereals, cold cereal soaked in milk; pasta and rice in sauce |
Dry toast, hard rolls, dry crackers, English muffins, bagels |
Fruits and vegetables |
Cooked or blenderized fruits; fruits and vegetables |
Fresh fruits and vegetables (unless very ripe, soft, and juicy, like applesauce, bananas, and watermelon); citrus fruit, pineapple, and other acidic fruits; pickled fruit; raw and pickled vegetables |
Drinks, desserts, and other foods |
Fruit nectars; flavored gelatin; ice cream, sherbet, pudding; butter, margarine, and vegetable oils |
Carbonated drinks; cookies and cakes unless soaked in milk; crunchy snacks like pretzels and chips; vinegar; condiments like pepper, pepper sauces, chili powder, cloves, nutmeg, salsa |
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
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