🎗️ Diet during cancer and cancer treatment — official guidance
⚕️ Talk to your care team
We do not create treatment diets for cancer. Please plan nutrition with your oncology team. You can still explore foods and their verified nutrient data here.
What to do — the quick answer
Tap any line for the reason, the evidence level and the source. The full step-by-step explanation follows below.
🥗 Eat more of
Chicken breast, skinlessExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 32.7 g Protein · 164 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energy Step 3NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCIEU claim Keeps muscle · 32.7 g per portion Step 3All nutrients & evidence for chicken breast, skinless →“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU Commission
Eggs, boiledExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (120 g): 16.9 g Protein · 173 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energy Step 3All nutrients & evidence for eggs, boiled →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI
Natural yogurt, 1.5% fatExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 7.6 g Protein · 93 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energy Step 3All nutrients & evidence for natural yogurt, 1.5% fat →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI
Lentils, boiledExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 13.6 g Protein · 179 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energy Step 3All nutrients & evidence for lentils, boiled →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI
Peanut butter (100% peanuts)Extra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (20 g): 5.8 g Protein · 124 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energy Step 3All nutrients & evidence for peanut butter (100% peanuts) →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI
TroutExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (125 g): 26.9 g Protein · 195 kcal
The evidenceEU claim Keeps muscle · 26.9 g per portion Step 3All nutrients & evidence for trout →“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU Commission
CodExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 26.7 g Protein · 119 kcal
The evidenceEU claim Keeps muscle · 26.7 g per portion Step 3All nutrients & evidence for cod →“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU Commission
TofuExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strongDuring treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 23.3 g Protein · 173 kcal
The evidenceEU claim Keeps muscle · 23.3 g per portion Step 3All nutrients & evidence for tofu →“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU Commission
🏃 Do
Evidence: EU claim EU-authorised claim · Official Official guidance · Trials Clinical trials · Study Population study · Review Scientific review
Build a general healthy-eating plan → How it works, step by step ↓
What nutrition can — and cannot — do during cancer
Good nutrition helps you stay strong through treatment, alongside the care your medical team gives. NIH NCI
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What cancer is
Root cause: Cancer is treated by your medical team — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy.
🏃 Do
Follow your treatment planOfficial
Do not use unproven products or practices to replace or delay medical treatment. NIH NCCIH
How this step works · what slows it down · sources
Cancer cells grow without the usual signals, ignore signals to stop or die, and can spread. Treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy target them; some help the immune system recognise and kill cancer cells. NIH NCI
The advice for this step comes from official health agencies and published research — the badge on each line shows which.
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Cancer and treatment affect eating
Root cause: Taste changes, nausea and appetite loss lead to weight and muscle loss (cachexia).
🏃 Do
See a dietitian earlyOfficial
A registered dietitian can help manage side effects and plan what to eat. NIH NCI
How this step works · what slows it down · sources
Cancer and its treatments can change taste, smell and appetite and cause nausea. Unmanaged malnutrition can lead to cachexia, a wasting syndrome with weakness and loss of weight, fat and muscle. NIH NCI
The advice for this step comes from official health agencies and published research — the badge on each line shows which.
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Extra protein and energy keep you strong
Root cause: The body needs more protein and calories to heal and fight infection.
🥗 Eat
- Chicken breast, skinlessExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 32.7 g Protein · 164 kcal
The evidenceEU claim Keeps muscle · 32.7 g per portion“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU CommissionOfficial Extra protein & energyAll nutrients & evidence for chicken breast, skinless →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI - TroutExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (125 g): 26.9 g Protein · 195 kcal
The evidenceEU claim Keeps muscle · 26.9 g per portionAll nutrients & evidence for trout →“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU Commission - CodExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 26.7 g Protein · 119 kcal
The evidenceEU claim Keeps muscle · 26.7 g per portionAll nutrients & evidence for cod →“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU Commission - TofuExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 23.3 g Protein · 173 kcal
The evidenceEU claim Keeps muscle · 23.3 g per portionAll nutrients & evidence for tofu →“Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.” EUR-LexEU Commission - Eggs, boiledExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (120 g): 16.9 g Protein · 173 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energyAll nutrients & evidence for eggs, boiled →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI - Natural yogurt, 1.5% fatExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 7.6 g Protein · 93 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energyAll nutrients & evidence for natural yogurt, 1.5% fat →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI - Lentils, boiledExtra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (150 g): 13.6 g Protein · 179 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energyAll nutrients & evidence for lentils, boiled →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI - Peanut butter (100% peanuts)Extra protein & energyHow it helps you stay strong
During treatment you may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal and recover. Protein is authorised to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass. NIH NCIEUR-Lex
One portion (20 g): 5.8 g Protein · 124 kcal
The evidenceOfficial Extra protein & energyAll nutrients & evidence for peanut butter (100% peanuts) →NCI suggests more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats and plant proteins than usual when you need extra protein and calories. NIH NCI
🚫 Cut down on
Supplements without adviceOfficial
Antioxidant and other supplements might interfere with chemotherapy — ask your care team first. NIH NCCIH
How this step works · what slows it down · sources
You may need extra protein and calories to keep your strength up, heal wounds, fight infection and recover. A registered dietitian can set the right amounts. NIH NCI
🔻 What can slow this down
- Vitamin and mineral supplements, including antioxidants, might interfere with chemotherapy or other cancer therapies. NIH NCCIH
“EU claim” items use the exact wording of Reg. (EU) No 432/2012 EUR-Lex; listed foods meet the legal condition of use (amounts per normal portion, BLS 4.0 / USDA).
⚕️ Important
Do not use unproven products or practices to replace or delay medical treatment for cancer. NIH NCCIH
Authorised claims say a nutrient contributes to a normal body function. They do not mean that eating more than you need improves that function, or that a food treats any condition. Population studies show associations, not proof of cause.
Meal options built from this flow
Pick any option per meal. Ranked by how well one portion covers this goal's targets and how many steps above its foods support (reference adult, everything diet). The planner adapts portions, diet type and allergies.
Breakfast — pick one of 3
Wholemeal bread
Raspberries
Oat bran flakes
Linseed (flaxseed), ground
Wholemeal rye bread
Low-fat quarkLunch — pick one of 3
Lentils, boiled 150 g · 
Tomatoes 100 g · 
Cucumber 80 g · 
Red sweet pepper 60 g · 
Feta 30 g · 
Olive oil 10 g · 
Rocket (arugula) 20 g
SalmonTofu 120 g · 
Edamame (immature soya beans) 80 g · 
Broccoli 80 g · Red sweet pepper 60 g · 
Brown rice, boiled 150 g · 
Rapeseed (canola) oil 5 gDinner — pick one of 3
Chicken breast, skinless 130 g · 
Quinoa, boiled 150 g · 
Kale 60 g · Red sweet pepper 80 g · Olive oil 5 g
Beef mince, lean 100 g · 
Kidney beans, canned, drained 100 g · Tomatoes 150 g · 
Onion 40 g · Red sweet pepper 60 g · Brown rice, boiled 120 gTofu 150 g · 
Cauliflower 120 g · 
Spinach 50 g · 
Green peas, frozen 60 g · Brown rice, boiled 150 g · Rapeseed (canola) oil 5 gSnack — pick one of 3
Soya yogurt alternative, fortified
Walnuts
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Grapes
Skyr 150 g · 
Pomegranate 80 gIn short
The US National Cancer Institute explains that good nutrition during treatment helps patients maintain strength and weight and cope with side effects — but needs change by cancer type and treatment and should be planned with the oncology team or a registered dietitian.
What official sources say
⚕️ Safety tips
Sources
- Nutrition in cancer care (PDQ®) — patient version — NIH National Cancer Institute
- Cancer and complementary health approaches — NIH NCCIH
- Diet and cancer risk — NIH National Cancer Institute
- What is cancer? — NIH National Cancer Institute
- Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS) 4.0 — German Nutrient Database — Max Rubner-Institut
- FoodData Central — USDA Agricultural Research Service
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 — list of permitted health claims (consolidated) — European Union (EUR-Lex)