There’s absolutely nothing pleasant about chemotherapy – but one of the things that people find hardest about their treatment is their constant nausea.
How do you cope? The best things you can do (and the things you shouldn’t do) may surprise you. Here are some tips:
Don’t let your stomach get empty
When your stomach is totally empty, it’s more prone to acid production. You can alleviate a lot of your discomfort if you nibble on a few saltines or graham crackers between meals and eat small meals every 2-3 hours. Be sure to sip plenty of fluids between meals, too.
Avoid warm, strongly flavored foods
Hot, spicy and strongly-scented food can all upset a stomach that is already sensitive. Cold food, like ice cream, and bland foods are best when you’re struggling with nausea. (You may want to consider the BRAT diet: Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.)
Skip your favorites, but do eat what you want
This isn’t the time to be worried about nutrition or sticking to a strict diet: Eat whatever appeals to you, when it appeals to you. You’ll have a much easier time keeping food down when you’re happy about eating it.
Do not, however, eat your favorite food when you’re feeling sick. That can start to trigger negative associations in your mind that can be set off again later by sight or smell.
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