Daily Cancer Life
Taking Care of Yourself During Chemotherapy:
a practical guide for patients and caregivers
Chemotherapy impacts more than just cancer cells — it affects hydration, nutrition, energy, digestion, and emotional wellbeing. While every person’s treatment plan is different, there are foundational ways to support your body during chemo that can make treatment more tolerable and help recovery.
This guide focuses on baseline, long-term support — not temporary complications or short-term medical restrictions. Always follow your oncology team’s instructions if they give you specific limits or adjustments.
Hydration: The Foundation of Chemo Support
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do during chemotherapy.
General goal: 64–100 ounces of fluid per day
Hydration helps:
Reduce headaches and dizziness
Support kidney function
Improve energy
Prevent constipation
Help your body process medications
Fluids don’t have to be just water. Broth, electrolyte drinks, tea, popsicles, and ice chips all count. On days when nausea or fatigue makes drinking harder, small, frequent sips are often more effective than trying to drink large amounts at once.
A simple check: urine should be light yellow, not dark.
Electrolytes: More Than Just Water
Chemotherapy can disrupt electrolyte balance, especially sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Supporting electrolytes helps with energy, muscle function, headaches, and overall stability.
General daily targets (food-first approach):
Sodium: 2,000–3,000 mg
Potassium: 2,600–3,400 mg
Magnesium: ~400 mg
Helpful sources include:
Broths, soups, crackers, and salted foods
Bananas, potatoes, yogurt, avocado
Nuts, seeds, and whole grains
Electrolyte drinks can be useful, but “low sodium” or “diet” versions are often not ideal unless specifically recommended by a medical provider.
Protein: A Non-Negotiable During Chemo
Protein needs increase during chemotherapy. This has truly been one of the best things we’ve done for Cassidy during chemo.
Recommended intake: 1.2–1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day
Protein helps:
Maintain muscle mass
Support immune function
Improve tolerance to treatment
Aid healing and recovery
For many people, protein is easiest when spread throughout the day rather than concentrated in large meals.
Good options include:
Protein shakes (20–30g per serving)
Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
Eggs
Chicken, fish, or other lean meats
Nut butters or protein bars
On difficult days, liquid protein often goes down better than solid food.
Calories Matter More Than “Clean Eating”
During chemotherapy, the goal is maintaining weight, not restricting calories. Unintentional weight loss can make treatment harder to tolerate and slow recovery. This is not the time for dieting or food rules.
Helpful strategies:
Eat small meals every 2–3 hours
Choose calorie-dense foods when possible
Use full-fat dairy, oils, and nut butters
Rely on liquid calories if solids are difficult
Eating something is always better than eating nothing.
Digestion & Fiber: Adjust as Needed
Chemo can cause both diarrhea and constipation — sometimes alternating.
During diarrhea: choose lower-fiber, bland foods
During constipation: gently increase fiber and fluids
Avoid major dietary changes all at once
Listening to your body and adjusting gradually is key.
Energy, Rest & Emotional Health
Fatigue during chemo is real and cumulative.
Light movement (short walks, stretching) can help when tolerated
Rest is necessary — fatigue is not weakness
Emotional health matters just as much as physical health
Checking in with yourself, accepting help, and allowing rest are all part of treatment.
When to Call Your Care Team
Always contact your oncology team if you experience:
Inability to keep fluids down for 24 hours
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
New confusion, weakness, or severe headaches
Very dark urine or minimal urination
Rapid or significant weight loss
Early intervention prevents small problems from becoming big ones.
One Final Note
Chemotherapy is not just something your body “gets through” — it’s something you actively support every day. Small, consistent actions around hydration, nutrition, and rest can make a meaningful difference.
You are not failing if some days are harder than others. Progress during chemo is rarely linear — and that’s okay.
