Tips for Managing an Upset Stomach for Cancer Patients

[David Baxter PhD]

Tips for Managing an Upset Stomach
The Tracey Birnhak Nutritional Counseling Program
December 11th, 2018

Coping with nausea/vomiting/dehydration and a queasy stomach can be a challenge for cancer patients. Here are some tips for preventing and managing an upset stomach.

Tips to Avoid Nausea

• Take anti-nausea medication as directed, 30 to 60 minutes before eating.
• Contact your healthcare team if nausea worsens and you are unable to eat or drink.
• Try bland, easy-to-digest foods. See the lists below for some ideas.
• Try eating food that has cooled off or is at room temperature to avoid strong odors.
• Avoid greasy or fatty foods.
• Avoid foods that are hard to digest like cantaloupe, dried beans/legumes, broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage.
• Add water to juices or other sweetened beverages.
• Try citrus flavored foods or drinks (like lemon or lime).
• Make sure you get enough fluids. Try to drink 8 oz. of fluid every hour to prevent getting dehydrated.
• Eat small meals/snacks throughout the day

Drinks and Fluids That Can Help Avoid Dehydration

• Water and seltzer water.
• Weak tea and herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, or ginger).**
• Fruit juice — half water, half juice may be better tolerated.
• Strained lemonade and citrus juices. *
• Popsicles and water ice .**
• Broth, bouillon, and consommé. * & **
• Jell-O®.
• Soda (Ginger ale, Coke) at room temperature, — flat (no bubbles) may be better tolerated.
• Zero or low calorie sports drinks, like PoweradeZero®, G2®, or Propel®.*
• Coconut water.*

*These drinks contain sodium and potassium and can help replace lost electryolytes.
** Better choices if you have mouth sores.

Examples of Bland Foods

Sweet

• Apple sauce
• Angel food cake
• Ginger snap cookie or ginger candies
• Sorbets, sherbet, ice cream, or frozen yogurt
• Custard or puddings (vanilla or rice)
• Almond butter on raisin toast
• Peppermint candies

Savory

• Eggs
• Saltines
• Noodles (plain, with butter, or in broth)
• Chicken breast
• Turkey breast
• Mild Cheeses, like string cheese/cheese sticks
• Sliced ham
• Salted nuts

Salty

• Saltines
• Cooked cereals (Cream of Rice/Wheat or oatmeal)
• Refined cereals (Corn Flakes® or Rice Krispies®)
• Rice Cakes
• White rice
• Bagel with cream cheese
• Cheese and crackers
• Peanut butter crackers
• Soft pretzels
• Peanut butter with crackers or toast

Be sure to talk with your healthcare team if you are unable to hold down any foods/liquids for 12 hours. Be sure to take any prescribed medications to combat nausea. If you are having ongoing troubles with nausea, talk with your care team about a referral to a registered dietician who can provide more guidance to help manage your symptoms.