Nutrition Services

Our registered dietitians counsel Siteman patients free of charge. We help during and after cancer treatment, creating personalized nutritional plans.

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Cancer treatment and recovery can affect your ability to eat, taste, swallow, and absorb nutrients. It can also affect your weight and your energy levels.

At Siteman, your care team includes registered dietitians who specialize in oncology, so you have expert nutritional support from the start. Cancer treatment can shift your nutritional needs in ways that affect your energy, weight, and overall well-being.

Every nutritionist who sees patients at Siteman is a board-certified registered dietitian who has subspecialized in oncology care. They work with our patients one-on-one to create personalized nutrition plans for their unique needs.

Registered Dietitians Specialized in Oncology at Siteman

Working with a registered dietitian is part of the holistic care every patient at Siteman receives. Once you are under the care of a WashU Medicine physician at a Siteman location, our experts in nutrition can start supporting you.

To receive nutrition support, most often your cancer care team will refer you, but you can always call us directly, too.

Every member of our nutrition team is a registered dietitian (RD), a board-certified expert in the science of nutrition. Many of the registered dietitians at Siteman have subspecialized training in cancer care. They’ve invested over 2,000 hours counseling cancer patients and have passed a rigorous exam to hold this oncology certification.

Siteman dietitians understand the specific nutrition needs and challenges that happen during cancer treatment and recovery. We also know that each person has unique needs, which is why we personalize everything we do.

How can working with a registered dietitian help cancer treatment?

If you’re in active treatment at Siteman, you’ll meet with your oncologist and nurse coordinator regularly. They’ll ask you about things like:

  • Your appetite
  • Any weight loss or weight gain
  • Side effects you may be experiencing

Sometimes nutritional struggles happen right away. Other times, you might not notice issues with eating and drinking until later in treatment.

Your care team can refer you to see Siteman Nutrition Services at any time, and you can request support directly.

Whenever possible we coordinate our care to happen on days when you are already at one of our locations for treatment. We want using our services to be convenient and support your overall wellbeing, so you can feel better sooner. 

Nutrition support after treatment

You can also see us in survivorship. For many people, nutritional challenges happen on the other side of treatment. Usually, your provider will refer you to us.

We’ll meet with you virtually to talk about your needs and learn about side effects you’re dealing with. Then, we’ll set up meetings as needed.

Managing Your Nutritional Needs During Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment can trigger appetite changes that make it hard to get the nutrients you need. But building well-rounded eating habits can help you:

  • Boost energy
  • Manage treatment side effects
  • Continue to heal
  • Maintain muscle strength
  • Keep a steady weight

Siteman RDs have specific experience working with people during cancer treatment. We know it often leads to unplanned weight loss, which can make recovery harder.

We can share tips to help give your body the calories and nutrients it needs:

  • Plan to eat small portions every 2–3 hours through the day. Set alarms or reminders to help stay on track.
  • Have a variety of foods on hand and ready to eat such as frozen options, freshly prepared meals, and snacks.
  • Consider nutrition drinks, such as Boost or Ensure. You can drink them on their own or mix them into a smoothie or ice cream milkshake.
  • Add dips, condiments, seasonings, and toppings to food to make the most of each bite. For example, try adding butter, cheese, and/or sour cream to a baked potato.

Because of hormone changes. Cancer treatment can also lead to weight gain for some people. It’s still important to eat enough so that your body gets the fuel it needs.

The importance of healthy snacking

Siteman dietitians are experts at helping you figure out what snacks work for you. You may be able to stomach certain tastes and textures, but not others. If you tell us one type of snack doesn’t work for you, we have a dozen more ideas.

This Siteman Nutrition Resource has a list of snacks we’ve created, with input from people with cancer.

Managing the side effects of cancer treatment on appetite and taste

You may notice symptoms at any point during cancer treatment. Some of these symptoms may continue into recovery. Sometimes late effects appear years after you’re cancer free. We help every patient meet their nutrition needs, no matter when their symptoms appear.

Because our team works exclusively in oncology, we know how to find practical strategies that fit your life, even when side effects make eating feel like a challenge. We regularly support patients managing:

  • Taste changes
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • Mouth sores
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

Download our Nutrition Resource (PDF) to reference our suggestions.

Common Nutrition Questions During and After Cancer Treatment

When it comes to cancer and nutrition, there is a lot of conflicting information out there, and it can be hard to know what to believe. You may have heard something you’re not sure about. It’s our job to separate fact from fiction and help you find what meets your specific needs.

We have compiled some of our patients’ frequently asked questions here, but we encourage you to ask us during a visit. 

Unless your doctor tells you, you don’t have to avoid any specific foods during treatment. Foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients help give your body the support it needs during treatment and may also help prevent recurrence in the future.

Source: National Cancer Institute, cancer.gov; American Cancer Society, cancer.org

You’re not alone in wondering about this — it’s one of the most common questions we hear. The short answer: no. Sugar does not “feed” cancer in the way the myth suggests. There is no evidence that avoiding sugar during treatment improves outcomes.  However, research shows that increased calorie intake can lead to extra weight gain and body fat. In turn, this can increase your risk for cancer or cancer recurrence.

Source: American Institute for Cancer Research, aicr.org; Cancer Research UK, cancerresearchuk.org

Always check with your doctor to make sure any supplements you’re taking don’t interact with your medications. If lab work shows that you’re low in a vitamin or mineral, your doctor may tell you to take supplements. Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients.

Source: National Cancer Institute, cancer.gov; Consult your oncology team before starting any supplement.

Many people, especially those with breast cancer, have heard this concern. The good news: you don’t need to avoid soy. Current research shows it does not increase cancer risk or interfere with treatment. In fact, studies suggest that soy is a healthy plant-based alternative for proteins, and part of a well-balanced diet.

Source: American Cancer Society, cancer.org; American Institute for Cancer Research, aicr.org;

Ultra-processed foods and processed meats have been linked to a higher overall cancer risk. The American Institute of Cancer Research recommends limiting these two types of food. They also recommend focusing on a well-rounded diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Source: American Institute for Cancer Research

Research from the American Institute of Cancer Research has found that just one drink per day (or less) can increase the risk of several common cancers. Cutting back or avoiding alcohol entirely can reduce these risks. We don’t recommend alcohol during treatment, as it can interfere with your treatment or impact liver function.

Source: U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk, 2025; AICR, aicr.org/cancer-prevention/recommendations/limit-alcohol-consumption

There are no specific foods that are proven to increase blood counts. It’s best to focus on food safety to help reduce the risk for infection.

These tips include:

  • Washing your hands before, during, and after cooking
  • Cooking foods to the recommended temperatures
  • Rinsing all fruits and vegetables under running water
  • Keeping food prep areas clean
  • Avoiding moldy foods, foods that are undercooked, and unpasteurized dairy products

Source: American Cancer Society, cancer.org

Everyday Ways to Boost Your Nutrition & Wellbeing During Cancer

The two things our patients ask for most are recipes and tips for managing symptoms. Siteman dietitians have put together a helpful list of resources around these things.


Recipes:

Symptom Management:

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