Meal plan grocery list
Oatmeal
Strawberries
Honey
Chicken breast
Quinoa
Broccoli
Salmon
Sweet potato
Asparagus
Greek yogurt
Nuts
Whole grain bread
Avocado
Eggs
Lentil soup
Mixed greens
Tofu
Brown rice
Vegetables for stir-fry
Fresh fruit for salad
Kale
Banana
Berries
Protein powder
Chickpeas
Cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Shrimp
Whole wheat pasta
Tomato sauce
Cottage cheese
Pineapple chunks
Brown rice for porridge
Almond milk
Peaches
Green beans
Vegetable curry
Basmati rice
Carrot sticks
Cucumber sticks
Hummus
Whole grain cereal
Low-fat milk
Spinach
Feta cheese
Turkey burger
Brussels sprouts
Almond butter
Rice cakes
Yogurt for parfait
Granola
Black beans
Corn
Salsa
White fish
Couscous
Apples
Peanut butter
Chia seeds
Mango
Kiwi
Bell peppers
Beef for stir-fry
Trail mix
Dried fruits
Meal plan overview
Caring for cancer patients? Our 7-day meal plan for cancer patients is designed to support their nutritional needs. It includes easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich foods that help in managing the side effects of treatment.
This plan is about providing nourishment and comfort through food during a challenging time.
Foods to eat
- Lean Proteins: Choose lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, and tofu to support muscle maintenance and repair.
- Colorful Vegetables: Include a variety of colorful vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, and bell peppers for antioxidants and essential nutrients.
- Fruits: Opt for fresh fruits like berries, apples, and oranges for vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars.
- Whole Grains: Choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats for fiber, energy, and essential nutrients.
- Healthy Fats: Include sources of healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds to support overall health.
- Probiotic-Rich Foods: Consume yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods to support gut health, which plays a role in overall immunity.
- Herbs and Spices: Use herbs and spices such as turmeric, ginger, and garlic for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Hydration: Stay well-hydrated with water, herbal teas, and broths to support overall health and manage side effects of treatments.
✅ Tip
Foods not to eat
- Processed Meats: Limit processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meats, as they may contain additives that could be harmful.
- High-Sugar Foods: Minimize consumption of sugary snacks, desserts, and sweetened beverages, as excessive sugar intake may negatively impact health.
- Alcohol: Limit or avoid alcohol, as it can interact with medications and may have negative effects on the immune system.
- High-Fat Dairy: Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy options to manage calorie and saturated fat intake.
- Spicy Foods: Be cautious with spicy foods, especially if experiencing digestive issues or mouth sores as a result of treatments.
- High-Sodium Foods: Limit sodium intake to manage fluid retention and blood pressure, especially if dealing with side effects like edema.
- Raw or Undercooked Foods: Avoid raw or undercooked foods, especially if the immune system is compromised, to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
- Caffeine (if sensitive): Some individuals may need to limit or avoid caffeine, especially if it interferes with sleep or causes digestive discomfort.
Main benefits
The Meal Plan For Cancer Patients is designed to provide nutrient-dense foods that support overall health during cancer treatment. This plan emphasizes easy-to-digest, energy-rich options, including protein, healthy fats, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. By incorporating foods that address specific nutritional needs during cancer therapy, the plan aims to support patients in maintaining strength and managing side effects.
🎓 Recommended nutrient breakdown
Fat
Carbs
Protein
Fiber
Other
Food alternatives
For cancer patients, incorporating nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest foods is important to support overall health and treatment recovery.
- Replace oatmeal with millet porridge for a high-protein, easily digestible grain.
- For a vitamin boost, try mango instead of peaches. It’s rich in vitamins A and C.
- If you're looking for a protein source, lentil stew can replace chicken breast. It's high in fiber and protein.
- For a dairy-free option, consider almond yogurt instead of Greek yogurt. It’s rich in probiotics and easy to digest.
- Instead of quinoa, try amaranth. It’s a nutrient-dense grain that's high in protein and fiber.
How to budget on this meal plan
Extra tips
Any healthy snack ideas?
Nourishing snacks for cancer patients to support energy and nutrition:
- Smoothies with fruits, yogurt, and protein powder
- Whole grain toast with avocado
- Cottage cheese with soft fruits like bananas or peaches
- Oatmeal with almond butter
- Baked sweet potato with a drizzle of olive oil
- Steamed vegetables with hummus
- Rice cakes with peanut butter and banana
What should I drink on this meal plan?
For Cancer Patients, hydration and nutrient intake are crucial. Options like ginger tea can help with nausea, while green tea offers antioxidants. Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices provide vitamins and minerals, smoothies are great for extra calories and nutrients, and water is essential for hydration.
How to get even more nutrients?
Meal plan suggestion
7-Day Meal Plan for Cancer Patients
Day 1
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with sliced strawberries and a teaspoon of honey
- Lunch: Grilled chicken breast with quinoa and steamed broccoli
- Dinner: Baked salmon with sweet potato and asparagus
- Snack: Greek yogurt with a handful of nuts
Calories: 1800 Fat: 65g Carbs: 180g Protein: 100g
Day 2
- Breakfast: Whole grain toast with avocado and poached eggs
- Lunch: Lentil soup with a side of mixed greens
- Dinner: Stir-fried tofu with brown rice and vegetables
- Snack: Fresh fruit salad
Calories: 1900 Fat: 60g Carbs: 210g Protein: 80g
Day 3
- Breakfast: Smoothie with kale, banana, berries, and protein powder
- Lunch: Quinoa salad with chickpeas, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes
- Dinner: Grilled shrimp with whole wheat pasta and tomato sauce
- Snack: Cottage cheese with pineapple chunks
Calories: 1850 Fat: 55g Carbs: 200g Protein: 95g
Day 4
- Breakfast: Brown rice porridge with almond milk and diced peaches
- Lunch: Baked chicken with sweet potato wedges and green beans
- Dinner: Vegetable curry with basmati rice
- Snack: Hummus with carrot and cucumber sticks
Calories: 1750 Fat: 60g Carbs: 190g Protein: 75g
Day 5
- Breakfast: Whole grain cereal with low-fat milk and sliced banana
- Lunch: Spinach and feta omelette with whole grain toast
- Dinner: Grilled turkey burger with quinoa and roasted Brussels sprouts
- Snack: Almond butter on rice cakes
Calories: 1800 Fat: 65g Carbs: 180g Protein: 85g
Day 6
- Breakfast: Yogurt parfait with granola and mixed berries
- Lunch: Brown rice bowl with black beans, corn, and salsa
- Dinner: Poached white fish with couscous and steamed asparagus
- Snack: Apple slices with peanut butter
Calories: 1850 Fat: 55g Carbs: 210g Protein: 80g
Day 7
- Breakfast: Chia seed pudding with mango and kiwi
- Lunch: Grilled vegetable and quinoa-stuffed bell peppers
- Dinner: Beef and vegetable stir-fry with brown rice
- Snack: Trail mix with a variety of nuts and dried fruits
Calories: 1800 Fat: 60g Carbs: 195g Protein: 75g
These values are approximate and can vary slightly based on specific portion sizes and preparation methods.
Want to learn more?
⚠️ Keep in mind
Article reviewed
- Written by our editorial team.
- Published on Dec 19, 2023
- Updated on Nov 22, 2024