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NUTRITIONAL HELP

for cancer-related mouth and throat sores

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NUTRITIONAL HELP

for cancer-related mouth and throat sores

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Fueling your body with good nutrition during cancer treatment can be tough when foods begin to taste different than usual.

Often, the cause is oral mucositis, a cancer treatment side effect, that can cause mouth pain, infection, and bleeding. We’ve compiled these tips that may help you take in the nutrition you need to avoid unintended weight loss and declines in nutritional status that may interrupt your treatment plan.

Good oral hygiene can help lessen your chances of infection and make your mouth and throat less sensitive:

  • Brush your teeth 2-3 times per day with an extra-soft toothbrush, rinsing 3-4 times and flossing gently.
  • Rinse your mouth frequently with a baking soda rinse to remove food and bacteria and promote healing.
  • If dry mouth is a problem, try sucking on hard candy, sugar-free chewing gum, or frequently drinking water.
  • Numbing lozenges and sprays can relieve mouth and throat pain.

Making some changes in the way you prepare and eat meals and snacks can make eating a more positive experience:

  • Make swallowing easier by drinking through a straw and eating soft foods, such as soup, frozen yogurt, cottage cheese, macaroni & cheese, milkshakes, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs.
  • Modify the way you prepare food to avoid making mouth sores worse:
  • - Serve foods cold or at room temperature
  • - Cook food until it is soft and tender
  • - Use fewer spices and seasonings
  • - Cut foods into smaller pieces
  • - Mix foods with butter, sauces, or gravies to make them easier to swallow
  • Consider a nutrient-dense nutritional drink to help replenish and provide protein, vitamins and minerals.
Helpful Resources

Consider Avoiding

These foods may further irritate your mouth:

Citrus Fruits & Juices

CITRUS FRUITS & JUICES

Orange, Lemon, Lime

HOT FOODS

High Temperatures

Spicy Foods

SPICY FOODS

Peppers, Garlic

Salty Foods

SALTY FOODS

Nuts, Chips, Pretzels

Rough, Course, or Dry Foods

ROUGH, COURSE, OR DRY FOODS

Raw vegetables, Toast, Granola

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Taste Changes

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