Feeling sick

Macmillan Cancer Support Medical Reference

• If the smell of cooking makes you feel sick, eat cold meals or food from the freezer that only needs heating up. However, remember to defrost it thoroughly before cooking, and to make sure it is properly cooked.
• If possible, let someone else do the cooking.
• Avoid greasy, fatty or fried foods.
• Try eating some dry food, such as toast or crackers, first thing in the morning before you get up.
• When you feel sick, start by eating light foods like thin soups or egg custards and gradually introduce small portions of your favourite foods, slowly building up to a more substantial diet.
• Food or drink containing ginger can help to reduce feelings of sickness. You can use crystallised ginger, ginger tea or ginger biscuits.
• Sipping a fizzy drink is a popular remedy for feeling sick. Try mineral water, ginger ale, lemonade or soda water and sip it slowly through a straw.
• Try having drinks between meals rather than with your food.
• If your cancer treatment is making you feel sick discuss this with your doctor or specialist nurse, as there may be medicines like anti-sickness tablets (anti-emetics) that could help.
• Eating small meals frequently can be better than trying to eat large meals less often.

For information about other eating problems you may experience with cancer, and suggestions to help you overcome them, visit Macmillan Cancer Support’s website.