My mom just started chemo and don't know what she should eat

I haven't started my chemo yet, have about 3 more weeks before I do.  But, my oncologist told me that once I start chemo that food will taste different and for me to eat whatever taste good.  She said some of her patients live on mashed potatoes for the first couple of months while others survive on fruit smoothies.  Whatever your Mom feels like eating should be okay. 

For me, I was not able to stomach any "processed" foods.  Nothing with any chemicals in it, nothing from a can or a package. Those additives and chemicals tasted horrible. I didn't eat that badly before my DX, but it was a good jump start to eating even better afterward.  The only canned thing I eat now is bottled tomatoes.  It's a little more work, but I had to settle myself down and say:  "I spend this much time a day cooking".  It's not the end of the world to cook potatoes, broccoli, broil a little fish.  Some people can eat anything throughout chemo!  I'm sure she'll find out what works for her when the time comes.  Some say don't eat your absolute favourite foods right after chemo, because some people develop aversions to those foods if they get nauseous.  My favourite comfort foods before DX were mac and cheese with canned corn.  It's been three years, and only in the last couple of weeks could I even say those words, let alone consider eating them without feeling a bit nauseous.  It's over for those two things:  I developed an aversion...If  your mother winds up with has real difficulties around food, she should speak to her oncologist or the oncological nurse.  They can steer you in the direction of books, pamphlets, or even a nutritionist if necessary.  There's lots of resources out there for soft, easy foods.  One recipe book that we found good was:  "Goes Down Easy".  You may want to consider reducing the amount of sugar she consumes though, if you can.

Good luck!  

Hello All I just finished 4 rounds of AC and 12 weekly Taxols the 26th of January, I lost almost 40 lbs and not because I couldn't eat it just that for me I wanted Healthy tasting foods like fruits and Vegetables and where I used to drink about 12 Pepsi a day I couldn't stand the taste of pop of any kind but, Lemonade was my best friend as well as water and water is good to drink during Chemo. Pickles tasted the same but most everything else sucked the reason I think is sometimes Chemo magnifies the taste of something and thats why mashed potatoes work not to many spices in them and also Fried potatoes were a godsend to me.  I would stay away from my favorites for awhile but, will tell you that now I can drink or eat anything like before Chemo.

I have had four treatments now.  The first two I could eat almost anything, but now I am craving mostly cold foods and soups.  I try to eat a lot of protein to keep my energy up and snacking inbetween meals.  It's also important to drink lots of liquids with no caffeine.  The only thing that I have noticed as far as tasting different is a fountain diet coke - does not appeal to me now!  I used to crave chocolate before, but really don't now.