After a cancer diagnosis, patients and families are often interested in learning how to eat well during cancer treatment and beyond. The following list of books and websites provide science-based information on cancer and nutrition and other lifestyle factors, as well as cookbooks and other resources for preparing nutritious meals.

What are Some Websites for General Information?

The American Institute for Cancer Research: Funds cutting-edge research and gives people practical tools and information to help them prevent and survive cancer. In partnership with the World Cancer Research Fund, provides the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world on cancer prevention and survival through diet and lifestyle, including their 10 recommendations for cancer prevention and survivorship, as well as continuously updated information on factors associated with specific cancers.

USDA Nutrition.gov/Cancer: Nutrition resources for people with cancer and cancer survivors on topics including eating, food safety, and dietary supplements.

American Cancer Society: Funds cancer research, promotes healthy lifestyles for cancer prevention and survivorship, and offers guidance around cancer care and side effects of treatment. Provides everything from emotional support to the latest cancer information for those who have been affected by cancer.

Cancer.Net: Provides timely, comprehensive, oncologist-approved information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), with support from the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Cancer.Net brings the expertise and resources of ASCO to people living with cancer and those who care for and about them to help patients and families make informed health care decisions.

National Cancer Institute: NCI is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The NCI website provides information on cancer statistics, clinical trials, research programs and general cancer information.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: NCCIH is a reputable resource for those considering using alternative therapies.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network: NCCN is a not-for-profit alliance of 30 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education.

Cookbooks and cooking websites

The Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz: Over 150 recipes that stimulate appetite and address treatment side-effects including fatigue, nausea, mouth and throat soreness, and low blood counts. Also the author of One Bite at a Time, a cookbook for cancer survivors. 

The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide and Cookbook by Jean LaMantia, MS, RDN: Written for both patients and caregivers, this book addresses the unique requirements of patients undergoing treatment. Includes information on managing side effects of treatment, make-ahead meals that can be frozen and reheated on short notice, and foods that may be more palatable based on treatment.

The Cancer Diet Cookbook: Comforting Recipes for Treatment and Recovery by Dionne Detraz, RD: Provides support around eating healthfully through treatment and recovery by offering healthy meal options made in 30 minutes or less, with five simple ingredients, or all in one pot.

Fred Hutch Cook for Your Life: Offers a large collection of recipes, instructional cooking videos, and science-based nutrition and health information in both English and Spanish, all adhering to standards established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Flavour & Nutrition: A Recipe Book for Those Experiencing Taste Changes as a Result of Cancer, a publication of the World Cancer Research Fund and Life Kitchen: Free, downloadable book of tips and recipes for those experiencing taste changes during cancer treatment. 

Cooking blogs for plant-based eating

• Two Peas and Their Pod

• Love and Lemons

• Pretty Simple Cooking

• Minimalist Baker

• Cookie and Kate

• Oh She Glows (vegan) 

• The First Mess (vegan) 

Cancer nutrition education

Living Well with Cancer and Beyond: This pdf download for newly diagnosed cancer patients provides guidance on diet and activity during and after treatment. Includes worksheets of questions to ask, foods to choose and avoid, tips to stay active and basic treatment information.

Oncology Nutrition Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association Eating Right to Fight Cancer: Provides information on diet and nutrition after a cancer diagnosis, including dealing with cancer during treatment, answers to frequently asked questions, and cancer treatment-friendly recipes.  

General nutrition information

Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source: Provides evidence-based diet and nutrition information for health professionals and the general public. Includes many resources to help implement healthy diet and lifestyle changes.

Center for Science in the Public Interest: CSPI provides practical, science-based advice to consumers interested in nutrition, food safety, and health, and leads advocacy for a healthier food environment in communities nationwide. 

To schedule a nutrition visit and/or learn more about one-on-one and group nutrition programs, speak with a nurse. They will get you connected with a member of our nutrition team. Our goal is to meet you where you’re at with the resources and up-to-date facts you need to make confident, informed choices about eating well during cancer.