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Nutrition

Good nutrition is important before, during, and after cancer treatment. Cancer as an illness, as well as treatment, can affect appetite, taste and tolerance of certain foods. As a result, staying well nourished is vital for cancer patients. Eating well can make you feel better overall, increase strength and energy, and help you maintain a healthy weight. The following resources include tips on how to eat a well-balanced diet, examples of nutrient-dense foods, and ways to increase and/or limit calories.

The Outpatient Oncology Nutrition Program provides individual nutrition counseling from Jennifer Spring, RD, LDN and Mandy Holliday, MPH, RD, LDN, CNSC. As registered dietitians, they understand many of the common challenges related to treatment for and recovery from cancer. The program also offers nutrition classes for patients and families and educational programs related to nutrition and cancer. Visit unclineberger.org/nutrition/ for more information.

Cooking Tips — You don't have to be a gourmet chef to prepare great, healthy meals in your home kitchen! These resources can help inspire you with ideas about cooking for health and loading your pantry with nutrient rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
Recipes — These resources have healthy recipe ideas for every occasion!
- LIVESTRONG Healthy Eating. Get diet and nutrition information on healthy eating, a well balanced diet, and discover ways to eat healthy. Dare to eat well.
- Recipes: American Cancer Society
- The World's Largest Collection of Vegetarian Recipes: Vegetarian Times
- Down Home Healthy Recipes: National Cancer Institute
- Recipes: The Cancer Project

Here are some additional online resources related to cancer and nutrition:

Caring4Cancer
All nutrition information on this site is written by a dietitian who is also an expert in cancer nutrition. Click the link for "Eating Well" to find lots of great tips on healthy eating. Click the link for "No Appetite" to find suggestions for managing symptoms during cancer treatment. Other interesting sections provide recipes, frequently asked questions, and research updates.
Balanced Nutrition and Your Care — Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute website on nutrition and cancer provides tips for healthy eating and managing side effects of treatment, as well as an archive of answers to general questions about nutrition during and after cancer treatment.
The American Institute for Cancer Research — Nutrition Hotline Online
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is the nation's leading charity in the field of nutrition, physical activity and weight management as it relates to cancer prevention and survivorship. This website has up-to-date information on how nutrition impacts cancer. It also provides great recipes and many free publications.
Cancer RD
This website is written by a dietitian who is a 3-time cancer survivor. It provides great suggestions for healthy eating, along with meal ideas and menus. Check out the frequently asked questions section for lots of great information!
American Cancer Society — Nutrition for the Person with Cancer
The American Cancer Society website provides useful information and tips on nutrition before, during, and after treatment for cancer.
National Cancer Institute — Nutrition in Cancer Care
The National Cancer Institute website presents a variety of in-depth topics related to nutrition and cancer, including effects of treatment on nutrition, nutrition suggestions for symptom relief, and nutrition information on preventing certain cancers.
The Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group
This website is primarily designed for oncology nutrition professionals. However, patients should check out the "Resources" section for great information on nutrition and cancer.
The American Dietetic Association
The American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Click on "Food & Nutrition Information" for tons of great nutrition resources.
About Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products
This website, from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, provides up-to-date, evidence-based information on herbs, botanicals, and other dietary supplements.
The Office of Dietary Supplements
The Office of Dietary Supplements is a branch of the National Institutes of Health. This website provides information on dietary supplements and vitamin and mineral recommendations.