LBCL treatment may cause changes in your appetite and sense of taste, as well as other side effects like nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel movements, which can impact how much and what you want to eat.
Eat Well-Balanced, Nutritious Meals
While there’s no specific meal plan to follow during LBCL treatment, Dr. Kamdar says that it’s vital to eat a nutritious, balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish, chicken, beans, and lentils. If your treatment is affecting your sense of taste and you’re struggling to eat a well-rounded diet, experiment with herbs, spices, and sauces to enhance flavor.
While it’s important to focus on the foods you can eat, there are some foods and beverages you’ll want to limit or avoid to prevent worsening symptoms like dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, and diarrhea:
- Acidic foods and drinks such as tomato, orange, and apple juice
- Alcohol
- Fatty, processed meats and snacks
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Salty foods
- Spicy foods
- Sticky, sugary foods and drinks
Stay Hydrated
Discuss Supplements With Your Care Team
Never take supplements without consulting your care team, as they may have unintended consequences. For example, Kamdar warns that turmeric extracts and St. John’s wort can cause changes to your metabolism during chemotherapy, resulting in toxicity or rendering it less effective. Additionally, antioxidant vitamin supplements (vitamins A, C, and E) and foods high in antioxidants (like pomegranate juice) can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.
Go Easy on Yourself
Kamdar urges against crash diets or doing anything extreme, like cutting out all sugar, which she stresses does not cause cancer, despite misinformation around it.
“Focus on eating patterns rather than perfection,” says Kamdar. For example, if you’re feeling nauseous and unable to eat most things but vanilla ice cream sounds appealing, Kamdar encourages having that scoop but warns against making it a daily habit.
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