Nutrition & Cancer

Sore Mouth and Throat

If your mouth and throat become sore during treatment, healing will occur more rapidly if you drink plenty of fluids and continue to eat well. 

  • Choose foods high in protein such as dried beans, poultry, eggs, peanut butter, milk, cheese and yogurt

  • Choose soft, bland foods that are easy to chew and swallow (such as pasta, cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, yogurt, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, pudding, or tapioca)

  • Chop foods or puree them in the blender. 

  • Serve foods cold or at room temperature, as they may be more soothing to your mouth.
  • Add ice cubes to drinks or fruit to make an icee slushee.   Try frozen fruits or popsicles.
  • Moisten dry foods with soup, sauces, gravies or margarine. Add cheese sauce or a cream sauce to your meat and vegetables. 
  • Dip foods in whatever you are drinking.
  • Follow proper mouth care. Keep your mouth and gums clean to prevent infections.
  • Very hot foods
  • Acidic foods (oranges, lemons, grapefruits or tomatoes)
  • Fruit juices
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Dry or hard foods
  • Spicy or very salty foods.