What foods help with nausea during cancer treatment?

To ease nausea during cancer treatment, the National Cancer Institute suggests eating foods that are easy on your stomach. Cold foods such as popsicles, pudding, yogurt, and gelatin can help, as can bland, starchy foods like toast, rice, plain pasta, crackers, and pretzels. Foods and beverages with ginger, such as ginger ale and ginger tea, may also ease nausea and vomiting.

It also helps to know what to avoid. Skip greasy, fried, sweet, or spicy foods if they make you feel sick. Foods with strong odors—like coffee, fish, onions, and garlic—can trigger nausea, so ask others to cook when possible and eat in a well-ventilated room.

A few habits help too: drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, eat five to six small meals instead of three large ones, and rest sitting upright or with your head elevated for about 30 minutes after eating.

Keeping a record of when you feel nauseous and what you ate beforehand can help your doctor or nurse figure out your triggers. Your care team and a registered dietitian can suggest more options tailored to you.