You also will learn about products that can boost nutrition and where you can buy them. Remember that special diets and products to improve nutrition should be used only as recommended by your doctor or registered dietitian. Special diets are an important tool for correcting nutritional problems that occur during cancer treatment. For example, a soft diet may be best if your mouth, throat, esophagus, or stomach is sore. Or, if your treatment makes it difficult for you to digest dairy products, you may need to follow a low-lactose diet.
Some diets are well balanced and can be followed for long periods of time.
However, some special diets should be followed for only a few days because they may not provide enough nutrients for the long term. Only your doctor or registered dietitian should decide whether you need a special diet and for how long. If you are already following a special diet for another health problem, such as diabetes or high cholesterol, you and your doctor and registered dietitian should work together to develop your new plan. For each diet, you will find a brief explanation of when the diet usually is recommended, the major foods it includes, and a suggested meal pattern. This information will help you follow the diet recommended by your doctor or registered dietitian.