Soft rotis-plain rice in small meals helped with chemotherapy, says cancer survivor

When I began chemotherapy, I was prepared, at least mentally, for hair loss, nausea, and weakness. What I wasn’t prepared for was how profoundly treatment would change my relationship with food. The smell of cooked rice made me nauseous. The thought of a full meal felt overwhelming. Some days I had no appetite at all; on others, fatigue made even sitting up to eat feel like a struggle.

RELEARNING WHAT NOURISHMENT MEANS

One of the most important lessons I learnt was that food doesn’t have to be heavy or elaborate to be nourishing. During chemotherapy, forcing myself to eat three full meals only made things worse. What worked instead was eating small, frequent meals and listening to my body.

Foods that worked best for me included:

• Plain rice and soft rotis
• Curd and boiled vegetables
• Dal and light homemade soups
• Smoothies, porridges, and warm broths on difficult days

These were gentle on my stomach and didn’t trigger nausea as much.

COPING WITH NAUSEA AND TASTE CHANGES

Nausea was one of the hardest side effects to manage. I quickly learnt that spicy, oily, and fried foods, especially on chemotherapy days, made it worse. Bland, mildly seasoned meals were far easier to tolerate.

Small habits that made a big difference:

• Eating slowly
• Avoiding lying down immediately after meals
• Choosing warm foods over cold ones
• Avoiding strong food smells when nausea was high

When my mouth tasted metallic or chewing felt difficult, liquids and semi-solid foods became my lifeline.

FATIGUE: THE SILENT STRUGGLE

Fatigue during chemotherapy is relentless. Even after resting, I often felt completely drained. I learnt the hard way that skipping meals only made the exhaustion worse. Even when I wasn’t hungry, taking small bites or sips helped me maintain some energy.

What helped rebuild my strength:

• Protein-rich foods like lentils, eggs, milk, curd, and soft paneer
• Small portions spread through the day
• Staying hydrated with water, coconut water, and clear soups

Hydration, I realised, was just as important as food.

MAKING PEACE WITH LOSS OF APPETITE

Loss of appetite was emotionally difficult, especially in an Indian household where food equals love and care. I had to unlearn the guilt of eating less. I reminded myself that it was okay to eat what I could, when I could.

I focused on:

• Fresh, home-cooked food
• Simple meals over packaged or processed foods
• Comfort rather than quantity

Listening to my body became more important than following rigid food rules.

What truly supported me through this phase was the guidance of my oncologist, Dr. Indranil Khan, and the care team at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI. They reassured me that appetite fluctuations during chemotherapy are normal and that nutrition is about consistency, not perfection. That reassurance eased my anxiety around food and that itself improved my digestion and overall well-being.

MY MESSAGE AS A SURVIVOR

Today, as a cancer survivor, I believe the diet during chemotherapy is not about strict rules or perfection. It is about kindness towards your body.

If I could share a few things with anyone going through treatment, it would be this:

• Eat what feels manageable
• Keep meals simple
• Stay hydrated
• Don’t force yourself
• Ask for help and guidance

Food may not cure cancer, but the right nourishment gives you the physical and emotional strength to keep going, one day, one meal, one step at a time.

(The article is authored by Priyam Banerjee, Cancer Survivor, Patient at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI)