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Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients

Cancer Center

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.

Services Available at These Locations (2)
Make an appointment

Care and Treatment

Clear Liquids and Full Liquids

If you experience nutritional side effects during your cancer treatment, you will need to consider the different kinds of liquids that you may use for nourishment, to quench your thirst, or settle your stomach. Clear liquids are helpful for many of the side effects of cancer. Generally speaking, clear liquids are liquids that are easy to see through and to pour. A clear liquid diet is not nutritionally adequate and should only be followed for a short period of time to help control symptoms from cancer treatment side effects. If you are experiencing symptoms that will not allow you to consume anything more than clear liquids, talk to your physician or registered dietitian for recommendations. Full liquids have more calories, protein, and nutrients so they can be used to help meet your daily calorie and protein requirements. Full liquids include those that are easy to pour and/or can be sucked through a straw. Some liquids are considered both clear and full.

Examples of clear liquids

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) provides the following list of clear liquids:

  • Bouillon
  • Clear, fat-free broth
  • Clear carbonated beverages
  • Consommé
  • Apple/cranberry/grape juice
  • Fruit ices without fruit pieces
  • Fruit ices without milk
  • Fruit punch
  • Honey
  • Jelly
  • Plain gelatin dessert
  • Popsicles®
  • Sports drinks
  • Strained citrus juice
  • Strained lemonade/limeade
  • Strained vegetable broth
  • Tea
  • Water

Examples of full liquids

Full liquids include the following:

  • All fruit juices and nectar
  • Ice milk
  • Small amounts of strained meat – thinned
  • Butter/cream/oil/margarine
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Cheese soup
  • Coffee/tea
  • Fresh or frozen plain yogurt
  • Fruit drinks
  • Fruit punch
  • Honey/jelly/syrup
  • Liquid supplements
  • Milk, all types
  • Milkshake
  • Pasteurized eggnog
  • Plain cornstarch pudding
  • Plain gelatin desserts
  • Potatoes pureed in soup
  • Refined/strained cooked cereal in broth or gelatin
  • Smooth ice cream
  • Soft or baked custard
  • Strained lemonade/limeade
  • Strained or blenderized soup
  • Thin fruit purees
  • Tomato juice
  • Tomato puree for cream soup
  • Vegetable juice

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.

basil-broccoli.jpg
Breakfast Recipes
    Appetizer Recipes
    Soup and Salad Recipes
    Main Course and Entrée Recipes
    Side Dish Recipes
    Dessert Recipes
    Shakes and Beverage Recipes
    High-Calorie Snack Recipes
    High-Calorie Beverage Recipes

    For Patients

    PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

    Review the New Patient Packet for information about:

    • What to expect on the day of your appointment
    • Maps, directions, parking, public transit options, and contact information
    • Other patient resources

    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?

    650-498-6000

    DIRECTIONS

    RESOURCES

    Billing and insurance

    Patient and Family Resource Guide

    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
    • View referral status
    • Access medical records

    Learn More About PRISM »


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    Make an Appointment

    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