10/03/2026
It was an honour to be invited to speak at the South Asian Cancer Network about something so close to my heart as my dad and my mother-in-law both had cancer .
The topic was “How to nourish your body when you’re going through cancer treatment”.
Food can feel overwhelming during this time, but it can also be one of the gentlest forms of support when your body is working incredibly hard.
A few principles I shared:
• Soft, easy proteins like lentils, yoghurt, tofu, eggs, or fish can help maintain strength when appetite is low.
• Small, frequent meals often feel more manageable than full plates when hunger cues change.
• Flexible hydration, water, broths, herbal teas, coconut water all keep things moving and supports energy.
• Calorie‑dense foods such as nut butters, avocados, ghee, and smoothies help meet needs without overwhelming volume.
• Texture matters; warm, cool, soft, or blended foods can be easier on days when nausea or mouth soreness makes eating difficult.
• Cultural comfort foods can make eating feel safer and more familiar during a time of uncertainty.
Advice to friends, family members and caregivers, supporting someone through cancer treatment is its own emotional journey.
It’s so natural to want to encourage them to eat, and it can feel worrying when they can’t.
But it’s important to remember that it’s not about “not wanting” food, sometimes they physically can’t eat because of nausea, taste changes, or a complete loss of appetite.
Be gentle , patience, and try to understand. It goes along way.
Supplements: Usually I wouldn’t recommend multivitamins or greens powders but in this situation I think there would be benefit to the patient because of the lack of nutrients in their diet.
This is general information only. Nutrition needs during cancer treatment are highly individual, so always check with your healthcare provider or oncology dietitian before making any changes.
Let me know if you have any questions. 🥰
