Honoring National Cancer Survivors Month

Nutrition is important at every stage—before, during, and after cancer treatment. During treatment, eating well helps maintain body weight and gives the body the nutrients it needs for recovery and healing. 

Registered Dietitians can help patients meet their nutrition needs during treatment. They offer guidance on managing side effects, staying hydrated, and getting enough calories and protein. They also provide food safety tips and practical strategies for eating well. Visit our website to learn more about Nutrition and cancer. 

After treatment, continuing healthy eating habits and staying physically active are important for maintaining health and lowering the risk of recurrence. 

• Aim to achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
• Limit intake of red meat
• Avoid sugary drinks and foods with added sugar
• Limit intake of “fast food” and other ultra-processed foods
• Avoid alcohol, or limit intake to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women
• Do not take supplements without speaking with a Registered Dietitian or your doctor
• Move more and sit less
• Avoid tobacco

We’re working hard to update our booklet, Every Bite Counts- Nutrition Tips for Breast Cancer Survivors, so look for it later this summer.

Please also visit these additional resources to learn more: 

• American Institute for Cancer Research 
  www.aicr.org
• American Cancer Society 
  www.cancer.org
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 
  www.lls.org  

And visit glwd.org/nutrition for more nutrition topics.