After active cancer treatment ends, your body needs extra support to recover and rebuild. The food you eat plays a crucial role in your overall health, energy levels, inflammation and ability to stay strong, especially with a lower immune system. Let’s explore the best foods to include in your diet to support healing, fight inflammation, and boost your immune system, as well as what foods to avoid or limit during this recovery phase.

Nutrition After Cancer Treatment Ends

When cancer treatment ends, your body is still in a state of repair. Chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery may leave you feeling fatigued, with a weakened immune system or digestive issues as your body just went through a lot. To restore your strength, a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is key. Focus on:

• Whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice for sustained energy.
• Lean proteins such as chicken, fish, and plant-based proteins (lentils, chickpeas) to help repair tissues.
• Fruits and vegetables, which are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, to aid in cellular repair and recovery.
• Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts to reduce inflammation and improve heart health.

Hydration is also essential, so aim to drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and broth-based soups to keep your body functioning optimally! I always recommend drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of water per day.

Best Foods to Fight Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response during recovery, but chronic inflammation can slow healing and increase your risk of other health issues. We typically have extra inflammation in our bodies after treatment ends due to chemo, radiation and/or surgeries. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods can help your body heal more effectively and reduce side effects, such as, brain fog, joint pain, muscle pain and fatigue. These foods include:

• Fatty fish (like salmon, sardines, and mackerel) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which combat inflammation.
• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries) contain powerful antioxidants like anthocyanins that reduce inflammatory markers.
• Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are loaded with vitamins and minerals that help reduce inflammation.
• Turmeric, a spice known for its anti-inflammatory properties, can be added to soups, smoothies, or teas.
• Nuts and seeds (chia seeds, walnuts, pecans, and pumpkin seeds) are little powerhouses for fighting inflammation.

Top Foods to Add in For Your Immune System

Post-cancer, your immune system needs all the help it can get to protect against infections and aid in recovery. Here are some foods to focus on for immune support:

• Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits) are high in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and helps repair tissues.
• Garlic contains sulfur compounds that boost immune system health and improve response to pathogens.
• Ginger is well-known for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great addition to meals or teas.
• Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi support gut health, which is closely linked to immune function.
• Nuts and seeds (especially almonds and sunflower seeds) provide zinc and vitamin E, crucial nutrients for a healthy immune response.

Foods to Avoid or Limit

While there are many foods that can help with recovery, there are others that are best to avoid or limit after cancer treatment to give your body the best chance to heal:

• Processed meats (like sausages and bacon) have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and should be limited.
• Refined sugars and sugary foods contribute to inflammation and should be avoided when possible. It’s still okay to enjoy something sweet once in a while!
• Alcohol can suppress immune function and increase inflammation, so it’s best to limit or avoid it during recovery.
• Highly processed foods that are high in unhealthy fats and additives can slow down healing and increase inflammation. I always recommend taking a look at nutrition labels and making sure you understand all of the ingredients in the items that you’re buying. If your brain doesn’t understand an ingredient, then it’s likely your body doesn’t either.
• Inflammatory oils, like canola oil, should be avoided as much as possible.

Where to Start

The best place to start is by gradually introducing more whole, nutrient-dense foods into your daily meals. Focus on variety: incorporate different colors of fruits and vegetables, try different sources of protein, and swap out processed snacks for healthier alternatives like nuts, seeds and fruit.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, start with small, manageable changes, such as adding a serving of berries to your breakfast or switching to whole grains instead of bread at meal times.

A personalized approach can ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need to heal and thrive. If you need more help in this area, feel free to contact us for more information on how we can support you!

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Madison Pollack is a cancer survivor and owner of Maddy Pollack Health, providing guidance and mentorship on nutrition, movement and overall wellness after cancer. She is a Do Cancer Program Practitioner.