Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients
Nutrition is an important part of life, cancer treatment, recovery, and prevention. Food is one of the few things you can be in control of during your treatment. The oncology certified registered dietitians at the Stanford Cancer Center are here to help you make informed choices about nutrition, answer your nutrition-related questions, and help you to achieve and maintain good health.
Care and Treatment
Nutrition and Cancer
It is very important to maintain proper nutrition before, during, and after cancer treatment. Such treatments may involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological immunotherapy, and/or surgery. These procedures and medications can cause many individuals to lose their appetite and energy, putting them at an increased risk for malnutrition.
Your food choices when you have cancer and are undergoing treatment may be very different from what you are used to eating. The main goal is to try to keep your weight constant. In order to minimize weight changes, heal properly, and maintain the energy to cope with all the new challenges treatment may bring, you should try to eat a wide variety of high-calorie and high-protein foods, including the following:
- Milk, cream, and cheese
- Cooked eggs
- Sauces and gravies
- Butter, margarine, and oil
Sometimes, the dietary recommendations you receive from your nutritionist may sound like the opposite of a healthy diet. Your care team may encourage you to follow a high-calorie, high-protein diet, especially if you are feeling weak or are underweight. Although you may not feel well or may not feel like eating, proper attention to nutrition can assist in an easier recovery.
Beating cancer with nutrition
Read our nutrition guides written for specific cancers to better understand how you can reduce certain risk factors for cancer.
Nutrition tips
Cancer diet during cancer treatment
Careful food choices will help support your immune system's fight against cancer. The foods you choose to eat during active cancer treatment will vary according to any side effects you may be experiencing. Learn how to manage side effects with nutrition.
View our nutrition guides to learn more about what to eat during cancer treatment.
Overall, try to make food choices that provide you enough calories (to maintain your weight), protein (to help rebuild tissues that cancer treatment may harm), nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and fluids (essential for your body's functioning). Also, excercise can help with appetite and digestion issues related to treatment.
Make an appointment today with one of our cancer dietitians to begin managing your nutrition.
Recipes
Cancer Fighting Recipe of the Week: Week 3
In honor of Colon Cancer Awareness month, we'll be featuring four colorectal cancer friendly recipes each week during the month of March.
Basil Broccoi
Broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are all cruciferous vegetables. This vegetable family contains powerful phytochemicals, including carotenoids, indoles and glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, which have been studied and shown to slow the growth of many cancers.
Grilled Vegetable Polenta with Pan Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Sauce
Halibut with Citrus and Garlic
Hearty Beef Stew with Winter Vegetables
Herbed Polenta with Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Mediterranean Grilled Veggie Pockets
Molasses-Cured Pork Loin with Apples
New American Plate "Tetrazzini" Casserole
Peppers Stuffed with Barley, Parmesan and Onion
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Maple Mustard Sauce
Seared Scallops with Beet Puree and Arugula Salad
Soft Tacos with Southwestern Vegetables
Spicy Broccoli, Cauliflower and Tofu
Steamed Halibut on Spinach with Lemon Sauce
Summer Tofu Kebab with Peanut Sauce
Turkey Reuben Grilled Sandwiches
Udon Noodles with Spicy Peanut Ginger Sauce
For Patients
PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Bring your photo ID and Insurance Card
- Maps, directions, parking, public transit options, and contact information
Ask your physician for a REFERRAL for a Cancer Center Nutrition Appointment
Our dietitians are available for 45 minute consults by appointment only, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Download our nutrition appointment flyer.
Questions about your appointment or need to make a change?
DIRECTIONS
RESOURCES
For Health Care Professionals
Our dietitians are available for 45 minute consults by appointment only on: Mondays – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
HOW TO REFER
Call us at 1-650-498-6000 to refer a new patient for a nutrition consultation. If you wish to refer a patient to the Stanford Cancer Center, please call the Physician Helpline.
Download our nutrition appointment flyer.
- Send referrals online
- Place radiology and lab orders
- View referral status
- Access medical records
Returning Patient
Questions about your appointment or need to make a change? Call:
Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients at Stanford Cancer Center Palo Alto
650-498-6000
Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients at Stanford Cancer Center South Bay
408-426-4900