Nutrition 101: A Guide for People Living with Cancer
Welcome. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in recovery, thinking about your nutrition can feel overwhelming. You may be trying to gain weight, maintain your current weight, or lose weight in a way that supports your strength and wellbeing.
This guide is here to help you better understand the role food and nutrition play during cancer care. It provides a foundation of knowledge to help you make informed choices, always with the understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all approach!
Every person’s journey is unique. Your health goals, treatment plan, and personal preferences all matter. This resource offers general guidance, but it's meant to be used alongside support from your Constant Health dietitian.
What Makes Up the Food We Eat?
All foods are made up of nutrients, some provide energy, while others help the body repair and protect itself. The three main types of macronutrients are:
- Protein
- Helps the body repair cells, maintain muscle, and support the immune system
- Especially important during and after cancer treatment
- Fats
- Provide energy and help absorb important fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
- Support cell health and hormone production
- Some fats, like those from fish or plant oils, support heart and brain health
- Carbohydrates
- The body’s main source of energy, especially for the brain and muscles
- Include fibre-rich foods that support digestion and heart health
While most foods contain a mix of nutrients, here’s a basic guide to where the macronutrients typically come from:
| Proteins | Fats | Carbohydrates |
|---|---|---|
| Meat | Olive oil | Bread |
| Fish | Canola oil | Rice |
| Eggs | Sunflower oil | Pasta |
| Dairy | Nut oils | Potatoes |
| Beans and pulses | Butter | Cereals |
| Soy products | Fat on meat/ lard / shortening | Starchy vegetables |
| Nuts | Avocado | Fruit |
| Texturized vegetable protein | Coconut oil | Sugar/ maple syrup/ honey |
What Is a Calorie?
A calorie is a unit of energy. Your body uses calories to breathe, heal, move, digest, and think, in short, to live! Different nutrients provide different amounts of energy. Understanding calories can help you choose foods that support your energy needs, whether you’re trying to gain, lose, or maintain weight.
| Macronutrient | Calories per 1g |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 4 |
| Protein | 4 |
| Fats | 9 |
| Alcohol - not a macronutrient, but is important to consider alcohol as it is energy dense* | 7 |
Calories and Energy Balance: Why They Matter
Cancer and its treatment can affect your body’s energy needs. Some people lose weight unintentionally, while others may gain weight due to reduced activity, stress, or treatment side effects.
Here are a few important things to know:
- Weight gain or loss doesn’t happen in a single day. It’s the pattern over time that matters.
- Eating too few calories can lead to muscle loss, fatigue, and slower recovery.
- Eating more calories than your body needs may lead to unwanted weight gain, but restrictive diets can be harmful, especially during or after treatment.
The goal it's to eat in a way that fuels your body and supports your health.
Your energy needs may change during treatment and recovery. Working with your Constant Health dietitian you will experiment with different strategies and behaviours to find a flexible and sustainable eating pattern that meets your body’s needs and your personal goals.
Next steps
Here are some final thoughts as you start your Constant Health program:
- Be kind to yourself. Cancer treatment is hard. Whether you are in treatment or not some days your appetite may be low, others you may crave comfort foods. That’s okay!
- Listen to your body. Pay attention to your hunger, fullness, and how you feel after eating.
- Small steps count. Whether it’s adding a source of protein to your breakfast or including an extra snack, small changes can have a big impact over time.
You deserve nourishment that supports your strength, health, and healing!