Nutrition Before Cancer Treatment Begins The main goal during treatment is to try to keep your weight constant. In order to minimize weight changes, heal properly, and maintain the energy to cope with all the new challenges treatment may bring, you should try to eat a wide variety of high-calorie and high-protein foods. General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals instead of three large ones. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals. Nutrition and Cancer: Clear Liquids and Full Liquids Clear liquids are helpful for many of the side effects of cancer. Generally speaking, clear liquids are liquids that are easy to see through and to pour. Full liquids have more calories, protein, and nutrients, and are easy to pour or can be sucked through a straw. Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support For Adults with Cancer Enteral nutrition is nutrition given through tube feedings, as a supplement or as the sole source of nutrients. Parenteral nutrition is a special mixture of glucose, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals given through an IV. Nutrition and Cancer: High-Protein Foods Hypermetabolism can occur with some cancers. This condition affects how the body uses proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and you may need to increase your calorie and protein intake. Discuss this with your doctor or registered dietitian. Nutrition and Cancer: High-Calorie Snacks To boost your calories, add butter or margarine to puddings, casseroles, sandwiches, vegetables, cooked cereal, breads, and pasta. Add wheat germ to hot cereals, meat dishes, cookie batter, and casseroles. Nutrition and Cancer: Recipes For High-Calorie Drinks Try these nutritious, high-calories beverages: chocolate-peanut butter shake, strawberry crush, peaches and cream, grape slush, and an old-fashioned milk shake. PEG Tube Placement A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is a feeding tube that is surgically placed through your abdomen into your stomach.