A balanced diet

There are many people with cancer who do not have eating difficulties or lose weight. Other people have only temporary eating problems and eat well for the majority of the time.

Please note: this advice may not be appropriate for those people eating only small amounts.

It is important to have foods from the five food groups daily and in the right amounts:

Five food groups - fruit and veg; bread cereals and potatoes; meat and fish; fats and sugars; dairy

Breads, cereals, starches:

Examples: Pasta, rice, bread, rolls, chapattis, potatoes, maize, cornmeal, millet, breakfast cereals, oats.

Include daily one serving of any of the following at each meal:

A portion size = 2 slices of bread
2 large spoons of cooked rice/pasta
1 large bowl of cereal

Fruit and vegetables:

Examples:Fresh, frozen or dried fruit.; tinned fruit and vegetables

Include daily: 5 portions of the combined group of fruit and vegetables. Include a variety of types.

One portion = 1 piece of fruit, 2 tablespoons cooked vegetables.

Milk and dairy foods:

Examples: Milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais.

Include two portions daily.

One portion = 250mls milk, 30g cheese, 1 carton yoghurt.

Meat, fish and alternatives:

Examples: Beef, pork, bacon, lamb, sausage, beefburgers, pies, chicken, turkey, fish, fish fingers, fish cakes, eggs, beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, peanut butter, soya, quorn.

Include 2 portions of any of these daily:

One portion = 100g meat / fish / poultry (cooked), 100g nuts / 300g pulses, 2 medium eggs.

Fats and sugary foods:

Examples: Oils, margarine, butter, cream, biscuits, cake, chocolate, sweets, sugar, puddings, ice-creams, sugary drinks.

Include daily in small amounts (unless advised otherwise by your dietician).