Support when eating feels different

Cancer treatment can affect people in very different ways. Your appetite may change, familiar foods may taste different, or you may simply have less energy for shopping, cooking and eating. You do not need to manage these changes on your own.

Appetite changes If usual meals feel like too much, we can look at smaller portions, snacks and nourishing drinks that may feel easier to manage.
Taste and smell changes Foods you normally enjoy may suddenly taste or smell different. We can help you explore alternatives without making meals complicated.
Changing nutrition needs Your nutrition needs and priorities may change throughout treatment. Your dietitian can adjust recommendations as things change.

How a dietitian can support you

There is no single way you should be eating during cancer treatment. We take time to understand your treatment, symptoms, food preferences, routine and what feels achievable for you.

Nausea

Find foods that feel easier

If nausea is affecting eating, we can explore different meal sizes, timing, foods and drinks that may be more comfortable for you.

Appetite

Make smaller amounts count

When appetite is limited, we can help you find simple ways to increase nourishment without expecting you to eat large meals.

Nutrition

Support your energy and protein needs

If your usual intake has changed, we can help you find realistic ways to include the energy, protein and nutrients your body needs.

Taste & Smell

Adjust when food tastes different

We can help you experiment gently with different flavours, textures and temperatures when familiar foods no longer taste the same.

Side Effects

Adapt meals around how you feel

Nutrition strategies can be adjusted around constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, dry or sore mouth, fatigue and other treatment-related changes.

Recovery

Review things as treatment changes

What works for you now may be different in a few weeks. Follow-up gives us the opportunity to change your nutrition plan as your needs change.

You do not need to eat perfectly.

During treatment, nutrition advice sometimes needs to look different from your usual idea of healthy eating. Our focus is on helping you eat and drink in a way that supports you, feels manageable and suits what you are going through.

Keeping food and nutrition as simple as possible

Treatment can already take a lot of your time and energy. Nutrition advice should make things easier, not give you another long list of things to do.

Easy meal and snack ideas We can suggest convenient options for days when shopping, cooking or preparing a full meal is simply not a priority.
Nourishing drinks If drinks feel easier than food, we can explore suitable options and discuss nutrition supplements if they may be helpful for you.
Eating when it suits you If your appetite is better at certain times of day, we can help you work around those times rather than sticking to traditional meal patterns.
Flexible recommendations Your plan does not need to stay the same. We can change it as your appetite, treatment schedule and preferences change.

What to expect from your appointment

Your appointment is a chance to talk through what is happening with food and nutrition at the moment. You do not need to prepare extensively or arrive knowing what you should be doing.

1 We listen first We talk about your treatment, appetite, symptoms, foods you enjoy, what you are managing and anything that has changed.
2 We focus on what matters now Rather than changing everything at once, we focus on the areas that could make the biggest difference for you right now.
3 We keep the plan practical Recommendations are tailored around your treatment, symptoms, routine, food preferences and how much energy you have for food preparation.

Nutrition support alongside your treatment

Dietitian care is designed to complement the care you receive from your cancer treatment team. With your consent, we can communicate with your other health professionals where this would be helpful.

Your medical team Nutrition support can sit alongside the advice and treatment provided by your oncologist, GP and other treating doctors.
Allied health support Where needed, dietitian care can work alongside speech pathology, physiotherapy and other allied health services.
Clear communication With your permission, we can provide relevant updates to your referrer or treating health professionals.
If swallowing has become difficult

Please let your treating team know. Swallowing concerns may need assessment by a speech pathologist. Your dietitian can work alongside your medical and speech pathology team to help support your nutrition needs.

Choose an appointment option that suits you

Treatment schedules, fatigue and travel can make getting to appointments harder. Depending on your location and availability, there may be different ways to access our dietitians.

Clinic appointments

Meet with a dietitian at one of our selected clinic locations across South East Queensland.

Telehealth

Speak with a dietitian from home through telehealth appointments available across Australia.

Selected home visits

Home visits may be available in selected service areas where attending a clinic is not practical.

View Appointment Options
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Individual nutrition support
Recommendations based on your treatment, symptoms, preferences and current needs.
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Practical and manageable
We focus on realistic changes rather than complicated eating rules.
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Support that can change with you
Nutrition recommendations can be adjusted as treatment and recovery progress.

Cancer nutrition FAQs

When might a dietitian be helpful during cancer treatment?

A dietitian may be helpful if eating has changed, your appetite is lower, you are experiencing treatment side effects, your weight is changing without intending it to, or you would simply like some guidance about what to eat during treatment.

Can a dietitian help if I feel nauseous?

Yes. Alongside the medical management of nausea, a dietitian can help you explore foods, drinks, meal timing and portion sizes that may feel easier to manage. Ongoing or severe nausea should always be discussed with your treating team.

What if I do not feel like eating very much?

You do not need to force yourself through large meals. We can look at smaller meals, snacks, nourishing drinks and other strategies that may help you get more from the amounts you can manage.

What if my usual foods taste different?

Taste and smell can change during some cancer treatments. Your dietitian can help you explore different flavours, textures and temperatures and find alternatives that feel more appealing.

Do I need to follow a special cancer diet?

There is no single cancer diet that is right for everyone. Your nutrition needs depend on your treatment, symptoms, health and individual circumstances. We focus on practical nutrition support and do not promote restrictive diets or foods claimed to treat or cure cancer.

Can I see a dietitian by telehealth?

Yes. Simply Nutrition offers telehealth dietitian appointments across Australia, which may be particularly useful when treatment, fatigue, distance or travel makes attending a clinic less convenient.

Do I need a referral?

You can contact our team directly to discuss an appointment. If your GP, oncologist or another health professional has already prepared a referral, this can also be submitted to our team.

Nutrition support when you need it

You do not have to work everything out around food and nutrition on your own. Our dietitians can help you find practical ways to eat and drink that suit your treatment, symptoms and how you are feeling.

Submit a Referral Contact Our Team
Good Humans. Great Dietitians. Ready To Support You.  
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