Why good nutrition is important
Nutrition is an important part of the health of all children. It’s especially important for children getting cancer treatment to get the nutrients they need. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after treatment can help a child feel better and stay stronger. The American Cancer Society has prepared this guide to help you cope with treatment side effects that might affect how well your child can eat.
Not every child has nutrition-related side effects, but this guide will help you address them if and when they come up. You don’t have to read straight through all of the information here. You can just read the sections you need and use the information that applies to your child.
This information 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 child’s nutritional needs. If you have questions about something in this guide, your child’s cancer care team can give you a more detailed explanation.
Nutrition for Children with Cancer
- Why good nutrition is important
- Benefits of good nutrition
- What children with cancer need: Nutrients
- How your child can take in nutrients
- When your child is taking steroids
- Cancer treatment side effects and what you can do about them
- Appetite changes
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Mouth pain, throat pain, or mouth sores
- Trouble swallowing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth or thick saliva
- Unwanted weight gain
- Fatigue
- Low white blood cell counts
- Ways to help your child take in more protein and calories
- Recipes to try
- Choose My Plate for children
- To learn more
- References
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Medical Review: June 30, 2014 Last Revised: June 30, 2014
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