Diet tips to reduce mouth sores when curing cancer

People who are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially head and neck cancer, often experience some side effects such as oral mucositis, mouth ulcers… Because chemotherapy or radiotherapy damages cells, releasing unstable atoms called free radicals. This release activates inflammatory chemicals, called cytokines and metalloproteinases. These chemicals break down collagen, thin tissue, and form ulcers.

Ulcers can be painful and affect the ability to eat, drink, and talk. If bacteria penetrate the ulcers, it can lead to infection and esophagitis. To help soothe ulcers and supplement adequate nutrients, people with mouth ulcers while undergoing cancer treatment should prioritize foods that are soft, not sour, mild, not too hot, and as easy to chew as possible.

Recommended dishes

Poached eggs or boiled eggs, omelets with little oil, let cool. Eggs are rich in protein and essential nutrients, helping patients feel full for a long time. This dish is soft, easy to swallow, and does not irritate the mouth.

Stewed meat and stewed fish are soft with little seasoning and do not require much chewing when eating. Rice dishes and vegetables should be thoroughly cooked or mashed. You can prioritize potato soup, sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots to supplement vitamin C, contributing to increasing resistance. Some steamed and boiled dishes from beans and tofu can also change regularly on the menu.

You can choose milk, bird’s nest, yogurt, soft bread, cooked cereals or diluted oatmeal, apple smoothie, banana, cantaloupe… to change every day. Honey can bring many benefits to people with mouth ulcers caused by cancer. Warm honey water helps reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, and soothe pain caused by ulcers.

Dishes should be limited

Limit drinking orange and tangerine juice because it contains acid and a lot of sugar, which can easily irritate ulcers and cause mouth pain. Chewy foods such as meat, raw or undercooked vegetables, crusty bread, salty crackers, chips, spicy and salty dishes should also be avoided during mouth ulcers.

Eating nuts, hard or fibrous fruits such as apples or raw mangoes, plums, can easily come into contact with the wound, causing pain and more severe damage. During this time, patients should not drink beverages containing caffeine including coffee, black tea and carbonated soft drinks. Avoid beer, wine, and spirits completely.

People with cancer should eat smaller meals instead of three large meals a day to reduce pressure on the mouth. Cut food into small pieces before eating. If your mouth hurts when chewing, you can use a blender to puree food. Use sauce, broth or a little olive or canola oil to soften and add nutrients. Drinking through a straw can help the patient avoid food contact with the ulcer.