Your shopping cart is empty.

You are here

Nausea, with or without vomiting, is a common side effect of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and may also be caused by the disease itself.  Control of nausea is important to enable you to eat adequate amounts of food and help prevent vomiting.

Suggestions to help minimize nausea:

  • These foods will help minimize nausea:
    • Toast and crackers
    • Pretzels
    • Gingersnaps
    • Clear soup
    • Angel food cake
    • Baked or broiled chicken, skinless
    • Canned peaches, applesauce
    • Oatmeal
    • Sherbet or popsicles
    • Flavored gelatin
    • Avoid foods such as:
      • Greasy, fatty, or fried foods
      • Spicy foods
      • Foods with strong odors
      • Very sweet foods such as candy, cookies, or cake
      • Eat small amounts of food frequently and slowly.
      • Drink only small amounts of liquid with meals to minimize feelings of fullness. Sip liquids slowly – a straw may be helpful.
      • Drink beverages cool or chilled.  Try freezing favorite beverages in mini-ice cube trays.
      • Avoid eating in a warm or stuffy room.  Also, avoid eating where there are cooking odors or smells that may disagree with you.
      • Don’t force yourself to eat favorite foods when you feel nauseated; it may cause you to permanently dislike those foods.
      • Try resting after eating; activity may slow digestion. Rest sitting up for about an hour after a meal.
      • Wear loose clothing.
      • If you tend to be nauseated or vomit during radiation or chemotherapy, avoid food for 1 to 2 hours before treatment.
      • If nausea is a problem in the morning, try eating crackers or dry toast before getting up.
      • Ask your doctor about a medication to help control nausea if it is a continuing problem.