As we approach the holiday season — a time filled with the joy of gathering with family and friends and the spirit of gift-giving — we also look forward to food, and plenty of it. But for those with a cancer diagnosis or family history of cancer, holiday feasts can present a challenge to meeting personal health goals.
 
Before you build a grocery list for your next festive gathering, remember that a well-balanced, fiber-rich diet with healthy fats and a variety of fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of several diseases, including cancer. For people receiving cancer treatment, ensuring adequate nutrition is essential for supporting the body’s ability to repair itself and resist infection.
 
Whether you’re planning a festive feast or attending a small celebration, try these strategies to help yourself and your guests maintain proper nutrition throughout the holiday season.
 
Variety and balance
Incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your holiday meals can help you maintain balance, especially when you also have easy access to an abundance of foods with little nutritional value, such as cakes and cookies.
 
Nutrient-dense foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, nuts, beans, and dark leafy greens, help reduce inflammation and support a healthy immune system. Roasting your proteins at a medium or low temperature can preserve the nutrients without introducing unhealthy elements. Meat cooked at high temperatures or over an open flame can lead to the formation of cancer-causing (‘carcinogenic’) compounds associated with a higher risk of certain types of cancer. Additionally, avoid deep frying or grilling meat or meat substitutes — frying increases fat and calorie content.
 
When choosing fruits and vegetables for a family recipe, consider fresh or frozen produce. If you’re using canned vegetables, look for low sodium options or rinse the vegetables to reduce salt intake. If you’re using canned fruits, look for low sugar options to reduce added sugars. Fresh in-season produce is at its peak in terms of flavor and nutritional value, while frozen fruits and vegetables are often picked and frozen at their peak, preserving their nutrients. If you’re looking to incorporate in-season foods into your holiday meal, the Texas Department of Agriculture offers a Texas Produce Guide with a detailed list of fruits and vegetables categorized by season.
 
Hydration and health
Staying adequately hydrated is vital for your health. Hydration helps regulate body temperature, supports organ function, and delivers nutrients to cells. Drinking enough water can also improve your sleep, mood, and cognition.

For cancer patients struggling with nausea and taste changes, hydration and nutrition can be a challenge. Nutrient-rich liquids such as healthy holiday soups, meal-replacement drinks, and produce-packed smoothies can help support hydration and provide vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients — or simply calories — your body needs. Patients should discuss with their care team the amount and type of fluids you need to maintain proper hydration throughout cancer treatment.
 
Seek out support
Whether you need broad guidance, a personalized approach for holiday meals, or support for a specific issue, dietitians can develop tailored strategies and plans to help you meet your nutritional needs. For cancer patients, a dietician specializing in oncology nutrition can provide nutrition counseling before, during, and after treatment.
 
If you feel that you would benefit from nutrition counseling, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your nutrition goals so that they can refer you to a dietician with the right experience and expertise to meet your needs.      
 
Healthier holidays
The holiday season can be a stressful time. There’s often a lot to do in what can feel like not enough time. Prioritizing your health by eating nutrient-dense foods, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and practicing self-care can help make the holidays more enjoyable and healthful.  
 
For healthy holiday recipes and resources to help you navigate the holiday season, visit Texas Oncology/GatherTogether.