Nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after treatment can help you feel better and stay stronger. The American Cancer Society has prepared this guide to help you and your loved ones learn about your nutrition needs and cope with treatment side effects that may affect how well you can eat.

The information in this guide is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. If you have any questions or concerns you should talk to a doctor, nurse, or dietitian about your nutritional needs.

A registered dietitian can be one of your best sources of information about your diet. If you are going to meet with a dietitian, be sure to write down any questions before your meeting so you don't forget anything, and ask the dietitian to repeat or explain anything that is not clear. If you have a question about something in this guide, your dietitian can give you a more detailed explanation. For more information or for a referral to a registered dietitian, contact the American Dietetic Association (see "Additional resources").

Because your nutrition needs will probably change as you go through the cancer experience, we have organized this guide by the stage of your cancer treatment.