Some people with cancer may have a sore mouth, mouth sores, or a sore throat. These problems are usually caused by certain chemotherapy 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 and should be avoided. You may also find that tart, salty, or acidic fruits and juices; alcohol; and spicy foods may be irritating and should be avoided. Rinsing your mouth regularly with a salt solution (1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 1 quart water) helps prevent infections and improves healing of a sore mouth and throat.

What to eat or not eat when your throat is sore*

	Eat	Foods that may cause problems
High protein	Soft, bland meats and casseroles such as chicken rice casseroles, macaroni and cheese, tuna noodle casserole; creamed soups; pasteurized eggnog, milk, milkshakes	Spicy foods such as 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, nonacidic fruit and vegetables if tolerated	Citrus fruit and raw vegetables
Drinks, desserts, and other foods	Non-acidic juices such as 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

• Avoid tart, acidic, or salty foods and drinks such as 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, such as dry toast, granola, and raw fruits and vegetables.

• Choose lukewarm or cold foods that are soothing. Very hot 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 such as chili powder, cloves, curry, hot sauces, nutmeg, and pepper.

• Season foods with herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme.

• Eat soft, creamy foods such as 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. Use in soups or with 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 Do for Mouth Sores

• Eat soft, bland foods such as 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 and forth 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 such as 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 your mouth is sore*

	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, such as applesauce, bananas, and watermelon); citrus fruit, pineapple, and other acidic fruit; 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 beverages; cookies and cakes unless soaked in milk; crunchy snacks such as pretzels and chips; vinegar; condiments such as 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.

Revised: 02/04/2008