Diet and Nutrition
Good nutrition is an important part of your cancer journey.
Cancer and cancer treatments may affect the way your body tolerates food and uses nutrients. Maintaining a well-balanced diet, including a variety of foods can help you feel better and stronger.
Focusing on eating well during treatment helps to maintain your body weight and muscle mass, improves strength and mobility, decreases risk for infection and promotes healing and recovery.
Below is a list of diet and nutrition programs and services available.
Programs & Services
ELLICSR Kitchen
The Health, Wellness, and Cancer Survivorship Centre (ELLICSR) provides classes and programs on managing side effects throughout the cancer journey.
The ELLICSR Kitchen program is designed to support people touched by cancer by giving you the skills and information you need to manage your diet.
Read the 'Recipe Archive' for a list of healthy, simple and delicious recipes [opens in new window] »
Wellspring Cancer Support Network
Network of community- based cancer support centres, offering over 50 programs. Provides support, education, counselling free of charge without any medical referral. Nutrition classes are available and facilitated by registered dietitian.
Read more about Wellspring Cancer Support Network [opens in new window] »
Website and Blogs
Nourish
This website offers nutrition information from registered dietitians on eating well and how to manage common side effects of cancer and its treatment. You can find recipes created in collaboration with a wellness chef and recommendations for managing treatment related side effects and eating difficulties.
Read more about Nourish [opens in new window] »
The ELLISCR Kitchen
This is a program designed for individuals, families and caregivers to provide information and skills on managing your diet. The ELLICSR Kitchen is led by a registered dietitian and a wellness chef. They offer cooking demonstrations along with helpful nutrition-related information.
Read more about ELLICSR Kitchen [opens in new window] »
Unlock Food
Unlock Food is a free service that connects Ontario residents to a registered dietitian (RD). RDs can help people make healthy choices and answer any questions around nutrition. This can be done over the phone or through email.
Visit Unlock Food [opens in new window] »
Registered Dietitians Blogs
The resources and websites listed below are provided to you by registered dietitians. The information is intended as a general resource and not meant to replace medical counselling of your doctor or individual consultation with a registered dietitian.
Please consult your health care provider if you’d like a referral to see a dietitian.
Jean LaMantia, RD
Jean LaMantia is a registered dietitian and program leader at Wellspring Cancer Support Network. Jean is the author of 'The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide and Cookbook.
Visit Jean’s blog where she addresses common nutrition and cancer related topics and managing nutrition during one’s cancer journey [opens in new window] »
Julie Lanford MPH, RD, CSO, LDN
Julie Lanford is a registered dietitian and wellness director for Cancer Services (a U.S non-profit organization). Julie developed CancerDietitian.com where she provides evidence based and up to date cancer nutrition information.
Visit Julie Lanford's blog [opens in new window] »
Other Resources
UHN Patient Education Pamphlets and Brochures
The following resources are available in the
Princess Margaret Patient and Family Library:
Nutrition for People with Cancer Websites - BC Cancer Agency
A list of nutrition websites that have been compiled and evaluated by BC Cancer Agency.
Read more about Nutrition for People with Cancer Websites [opens in new window] »
Eating Well During and After Treatment - Canadian Cancer Society
When you have cancer, how your eating is affected will depend on the type of cancer you have and the treatments you receive. But the goal for everyone is the same – to eat as well as you can to be as healthy as you can during and after treatment.
Read more about Eating Well During and After Treatment [opens in new window] »
Protein During and After Treatment
Getting enough protein can help you fight infection and recover during and after cancer treatment.
Learn more:
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