Dealing with weight loss related to cancer can be challenging and worrying. It's only natural to feel concerned when you notice the numbers on the scale dropping. I want you to know that there are many ways to help manage this situation, and there are steps you can take. Let's explore why this happens and what we can do about it.
Cancer-Related Weight Loss
Weight loss during cancer can occur for various reasons, and this isn't an exhaustive list. Often, it's a combination of factors that contribute to weight changes. Some common causes I see with my clients include:
Treatment side effects: like nausea, vomiting, digestive upset, and changes in taste, making eating difficult or unappealing.
Stress and anxiety: understandably, the emotional toll of cancer can affect your appetite and eating habits.
Fatigue: cancer-related tiredness can make food shopping and meal preparation feel like a mountain to climb.
Intentional healthy changes: sometimes, a cancer diagnosis prompts a shift towards healthier eating habits and increased physical activity, which might lead to weight loss.
Fear over food choices: many people turn to the internet for advice on what to eat or avoid. With so much conflicting information out there, it is common to cut out many foods, adding another layer of stress.
Metabolic changes: in some cases, the cancer can affect how your body uses energy and maintains muscle, sometimes leading to unintended weight loss. This can happen with certain types of cancers. Your healthcare team can help you understand if this might be affecting you.
Understanding what's causing your weight loss helps us create a nutrition approach that works for you.
Managing Symptoms and Absorption
Before we explore nutrition strategies, it's important to address two key areas:
Managing any symptoms affecting your eating - like nausea, taste changes, digestive issues, poor appetite, or fatigue. I've created a practical guide with tips for managing these side effects - you can find this in my blog here.
Some cancers or cancer treatments can affect how well your body processes food and absorbs nutrients. This might be due to changes in your digestive system, hormone levels, or physical changes that affect eating and swallowing. Your healthcare team can help identify and address any specific challenges you're experiencing.
Managing these challenges can make a significant difference to your nutrition and help you get the most benefit from the food you eat.
Nutritional Strategies to Manage Cancer-Related Weight Loss
Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods in Smaller Portions
If large meals feel overwhelming, or you fill up quickly, try:
Eating your biggest meal when you feel hungriest.
Aiming for 5-6 small meals throughout the day.
Establishing a routine by setting gentle reminders to eat if you often forget.
Eating from a smaller plate or bowl to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Preparing nutrient-dense snacks in advance so they are easily accessible (e.g. overnight oats, chia seed pudding, yoghurt pots with berries).
Increase Protein Intake
Protein is important for maintaining muscle mass, supporting healing and repair, and bolstering the immune system. Consider:
Adding extra meat, poultry, fish, tofu, beans, or lentils to soups and casseroles.
Choosing protein-rich snacks like hard-boiled eggs, hummus with oatcakes, or Greek yoghurt with berries and a dollop of nut butter.
Try adding protein-rich dairy products to your usual meals - like using milk instead of water when cooking porridge, adding Greek yoghurt to smoothies, or stirring cottage cheese into scrambled eggs.
Incorporating protein powder into smoothies or porridge. You can find some more ideas here.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Muscle Mass
Especially for those who don't regularly consume oily fish, I might consider recommending an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Recent research suggests that omega-3s, particularly from fish oil, may help maintain muscle mass in cancer patients experiencing weight loss. However, it is crucial to remember that all supplements, including omega-3s, must be discussed with and approved by your healthcare team before you start taking them. They can advise on whether this approach is suitable for you and ensure it doesn't interfere with your treatment plan.
Consider incorporating more omega-3 rich foods into your diet, such as oily fish (if you eat fish), walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds.
Fortify Your Meals and Snacks
Add extra nourishment without significantly increasing volume by:
Drizzling cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil or nut butter dressing (e.g. satay) over vegetables.
Spreading avocado on sandwiches or adding it to smoothies.
Adding grated cheese to scrambled eggs or soup.
Sprinkling ground nuts or seeds over soups, cereals, or salads.
Choose Nourishing Fluids
Fluids are essential for hydration but can also provide calories and nutrients:
Sip on drinks like vegetable juice, smoothies, or milkshakes made with your milk of choice.
Enjoy small mugs of soup.
Try warm drinks like milky coffee or milk with cinnamon, turmeric, or beetroot latte made with your choice of milk.
Consider nutritional supplement drinks for added calories; some are available in supermarkets, chemists, or health food stores (e.g. Complan, Huel, or Naturya), or on prescription. Discuss options with your treatment team or GP; I can also help.
"But All I Fancy Is the Foods I ‘Shouldn’t' Be Eating"
This is a common concern I hear from clients. When your appetite is reduced, it's important to focus on what you can manage to eat without adding extra stress about food choices. My clients know I prefer focusing on what we can add rather than what to subtract. Pairing foods with other nourishing options can help create a balanced meal or snack.
At the moment, the priority is ensuring you're eating enough to feel as strong and comfortable as possible while making small adjustments over time. If you're feeling up to putting a nourishing spin on foods, here are a few ideas:
Ice cream: add fresh or frozen berries to vanilla ice cream for a homemade raspberry ripple. Sprinkle nuts or seeds on top for extra protein and beneficial fats.
Chocolate bar: break up chocolate into a jar and mix with any combination of nuts, seeds, coconut curls, or dried fruit for a nourishing trail mix.
Crisps: try chickpeas or edamame beans roasted with miso, tamari, or paprika instead.
Cola: if it's the sparkling fluid you're craving, pair sparkling water with your favourite fruit juice, or ginger or elderflower cordial.
"What About My Previous Weight Loss Goals?"
This question comes up frequently in my cancer nutrition workshops. "Can I still try to lose a bit of weight during treatment?" There isn't a set answer; it depends on the individual.
For example, during some cancer treatments, such as head and neck radiotherapy, maintaining weight is vital. Significant weight loss could lead to treatment interruptions or re-planning. For others who are on longer-term treatments and have weight they'd like to lose, making sustainable healthy changes might result in gradual weight loss over time. If you're feeling well, strong, and energetic while this is happening, and you're maintaining a healthy weight range, this might be perfectly okay.
The key message is avoiding rapid weight loss over a short period as it leads to loss of muscle mass. This affects treatment tolerance and recovery too. Maintaining muscle mass helps you stay strong and recover faster. Check with your treatment team.
Moving your body in a way that feels right for you is a vital part of your treatment, alongside good nutrition. Research shows that physical activity is safe and beneficial for most people before, during, and after cancer treatment. You can find advice on physical activity during cancer treatment from my brilliant physiotherapy colleagues here.
Getting Individual Cancer Nutrition Advice
If you or a loved one are experiencing unintentional weight loss during cancer treatment, speak with your healthcare team for individual advice.
If you'd like support from me, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Email: info@thecancerdietitian.com
Telephone: 020 8064 2865
Appointments: book here
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered personalised nutrition, dietetic, or medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for personalised advice and guidance regarding your specific medical condition or dietary needs.
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