Caution & Warnings:
Mouth Sores
Caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments affect fast-growing cells, such as cancer cells. Normal cells inside the mouth also grow quickly and may be damaged by these cancer treatments, making it hard to eat.
- Eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as the following:
- Soft fruits, including bananas, applesauce, and watermelon.
- Peach, pear, and apricot nectars.
- Cottage cheese.
- Mashed potatoes.
- Macaroni and cheese.
- Custards and puddings.
- Gelatin.
- Milkshakes.
- Scrambled eggs.
- Oatmeal or other cooked cereals.
- Stay away from the following:
- Citrus fruits and juices, (such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit).
- Spicy or salty foods.
- Rough, coarse, or dry foods, including raw vegetables, granola, toast, and crackers.
- Use a blender to make vegetables (such as potatoes, peas, and carrots) and meats smooth.
- Add gravy, broth, or sauces to food.
- Drink high-calorie, high-protein drinks in addition to meals.
- Cook foods until soft and tender.
- Eat foods cold or at room temperature. Hot and warm foods can irritate a tender mouth.
- Cut foods into small pieces.
- Use a straw to drink liquids.
- Numb the mouth with ice chips or flavored ice pops before eating.
- Clean teeth (including dentures) and rinse mouth at least four times a day (after eating and at bedtime).
