Some people with cancer may have nausea and vomiting. A person can have nausea with or without vomiting. If it is caused by chemotherapy, nausea and/or vomiting can happen on the day you get your treatment and can last for a few days -- depending on what drugs you are getting. If you are having radiation therapy to the abdomen, chest, or pelvis, it can start shortly after your treatment and last for several hours. Nausea and vomiting can have other causes, too.

Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse if you feel nauseated or are vomiting because there are medicines that control this very well. These medicines should be taken on a regular schedule – around-the-clock, as prescribed by your doctor. And if a certain medicine does not work, your doctor or nurse should be able to give you another one that might.

What to do

• Eat 6 to 8 small meals a day, instead of 3 large meals.

• Eat dry foods, such as crackers, toast, dry cereals, or bread sticks, when you wake up and every few hours during the day.

• Eat foods that do not have a strong odor.

• Eat cool foods instead of hot, spicy foods.

• Avoid foods that are overly sweet, greasy, fried, or spicy, such as rich desserts and french fries.

• If you need to rest, sit up or recline with your head raised for at least 1 hour after eating.

• Sip clear liquids frequently to prevent dehydration. Clear liquids include broth, sport drinks, water, juice, gelatin, and popsicles.

• Ask your doctor about medicines to prevent or stop nausea.

• Try bland, soft, easy-to-digest foods on scheduled treatment days. Foods such as Cream of Wheat and chicken noodle soup with saltine crackers may be easier to keep down than heavy meals.

• Avoid eating in a room that is warm, or that has cooking odors or other smells. Cook outside on the grill or use boiling bags to reduce cooking odors.

• Rinse your mouth with a baking soda and salt mouthwash before and after meals (1 quart water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda mixed well before each use).

• Suck on hard candy, such as peppermint or lemon if there is a bad taste in your mouth.

• If you are vomiting, dehydration can be a problem. You will need to drink clear liquids as often as possible during this time. After you have vomited, rinse your mouth, wait for about 30 minutes, then try to drink sips of a clear liquid such as apple juice, cranberry juice, flat soda, or broth, or take bites of frozen flavored ice.

On the days you have chemotherapy, try the following suggestions. But keep in mind that this diet does not include enough protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals. It should be followed for no more than 3 days. If you can't eat more foods after 3 days, tell your doctor.

Recommended diet on the day of treatment*

High protein	juice-type commercial supplements
Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta	dry toast, saltines, rice, and pretzels
Fruits and vegetables	apple, cranberry, and grape juice
Drinks, desserts, and other foods	ginger ale; decaffeinated, noncarbonated drinks such as fruit punch and sports drinks; popsicles, fruit ice, sherbet; flavored gelatin

Diet for other days*

	Eat	Foods that may cause problems
High protein	boiled, baked meat, fish, and poultry; cold meat or fish salad; eggs; cream soups made with low-fat milk; nonfat yogurt	fatty and fried meats, such as sausage, bacon; fried eggs; milkshakes (unless made with low-fat milk or ice cream)
Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta	saltines, soda crackers, bread, toast, cold cereal, English muffins, bagels, plain noodles, rice	doughnuts, pastries, waffles, pancakes, muffins
Fruits and vegetables	potatoes (baked, boiled, or mashed), juices, canned or fresh fruits, vegetables as tolerated (do not eat if appetite is poor or nausea is severe)	potato chips, french fries, hash browns; breaded, fried, or creamed vegetables; vegetables with strong odor
Drinks, desserts, and other foods	cold fruit-ades, decaffeinated soft drinks, iced tea, sports drinks; sherbet, fruit-flavored gelatin; angel food cake, sponge cake; vanilla wafers; pudding (made with low-fat milk); popsicles, juice bars, fruit ices; pretzels; butter or margarine in small amounts; fat-skimmed gravy; salt, cinnamon, spices as tolerated	alcohol, coffee; pie, ice cream, rich cakes; spicy salad dressings, olives, cream, pepper, chili powder, onion; hot sauce, seasoning mixtures

*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts Chicago, Il: American Dietetic Association; 2004.

Revised: 02/04/2008