Healthy Meal Planning for People with Breast Cancer
Updated on February 9, 2026
If your weight changed because of breast cancer treatment, your doctor may advise you to use a meal plan — or speak to a registered dietitian — to get back to your healthiest weight.
But even if you’re not trying to lose or gain weight, following a meal plan can help you eat a more balanced diet that keeps your body strong.
“If you are in treatment for breast cancer, meal planning is especially important,” says Amy Bragagnini, RD, a dietitian at the Trinity Health Lacks Cancer Center. “Receiving adequate nutrients during treatment will help you to support your immune system, keep your energy levels up, and optimize healing.”
A meal plan can also save you time and energy throughout the week — and allow you to have foods you enjoy ready to heat and eat for days you’re not feeling well.
How to make a meal plan
Creating a meal plan, once you’re in the habit, can be easy. Here are a few steps to help you get started.
Assess your diet
First, you’ll want to take a look at what and how you’re eating now. Starting a food journal can help you understand your eating patterns, as well as how the food you eat affects your mood, your energy, and how you feel overall. An entry might look something like this:
Meal: Breakfast, 8 a.m.
What I ate: One piece of sourdough toast, two scrambled eggs, sauteed spinach (using butter), and a cup of berries.
How I felt: Satisfied, but a little fatigued from chemo yesterday.
If you want to get an even more detailed view, many apps can help you see the balance of carbohydrates, protein, fats, and fiber in your diet (and whether you’re getting the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals).
Choose healthy meals that you enjoy
Once you have a better understanding of what you’re eating, you can think about tweaks to make your meals more nutritious — while still eating food you like. “If you eat cold cereal for breakfast, try adding chopped fruit, like strawberries or bananas, on top,” says Alison Meagher, RDN-AP, a senior registered dietitian with Scripps Cancer Center. “Small changes add up.”
Plan meals that are mostly whole foods and fresh ingredients when possible. The American Institute for Cancer Research's New American Plate recommends that plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans make up at least two-thirds of each meal, and that animal-based foods make up no more than one-third of the meal.
To make meals that are both healthy and delicious, think about all of the foods you like and dislike. Not a fan of kale? Try spinach. If you’re not big on lentils, consider black beans. Think about making every bite count by choosing mostly nutrient-dense foods that will keep you full and feeling energized.
In general, you want to be sure that your diet includes a variety of foods from each of the food groups:
vegetables of all types, including dark, leafy, green, and cruciferous; red and orange; starchy; and others
fresh fruits
grains, at least half of which are whole grains
dairy, especially low-fat varieties, including milk, yogurt, and cheese, and/or lactose-free versions or fortified soy beverages and yogurt as alternatives
protein foods, including lean meats, poultry, and eggs; seafood; beans, peas, lentils, and soy products; and nuts and seeds
oils, including vegetable oils and oils in food, such as seafood and nuts
Listen to your body
There will be days when you might be dealing with treatment side effects like fatigue, nausea, or appetite changes. On those days, it may be difficult or even impossible to cook the meals you had planned. If you have things you previously prepared in the fridge or freezer, all you have to do is heat and eat.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with opting for takeout or prepared foods you can grab quickly from the store, especially if it’s the only thing you can stomach (or keep down).
Even when you’re feeling sick, “make sure that you're eating regularly — without stressing over exactly what it is,” says Hillary Sachs, MS, RD, CSO, CDN, who works with people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer to design and implement sustainable nutrition plans. If you don’t feel up to eating a full meal, keep ready-to-eat foods handy, such as Greek yogurt, individually packaged string cheese, or nuts and dried fruit. Small snacks between meals can help you eat enough protein and calories.
Once you start to feel better, Sachs says you can begin to think about the balance of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) on your plate at each meal. One of Sachs’s suggestions for an easy meal that ticks all the boxes: brown rice cooked in bone broth with a drizzle of olive oil. “It doesn’t have to be anything exotic,” she says.
Try meal prepping
Meal prepping — or even ingredient prepping — can save you time throughout the week and/or help you prepare for days you don’t feel well. For example, you could try:
pre-chopping the veggies you’ll need for your next few planned meals
cooking a larger batch of proteins, or meals with several servings like chili, soup, or casseroles, ahead of time
making the sauces and dressings you’ll use throughout the week all at once
making and freezing grab-and-go breakfasts, like breakfast burritos, overnight oats, chia pudding, or mini frittatas
Ask for help
If you need help, ask friends, family, or neighbors if they would be able to help you grocery shop, meal prep, or even make a meal for you! Here are some tips to make it easy for you and your loved ones:
Keep a basic grocery list on hand so it's easy for someone else to go to the store for you.
Write out menus for several meals (including recipes) that you like, so people who want to help have a guide.
Keep a list of foods that appeal to you on your not-so-good days so your friends will know what you can tolerate best.
You can also look into getting groceries delivered, or find out if you qualify for Meals on Wheels service. The American Cancer Society also offers information on meal delivery services. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 to learn about resources in your area.
Tips from the Breastcancer.org Community
Use a stool or chair to sit down while cooking if you're fatigued.
Try shopping at a farmer's market or outdoor stand if there's one near you — you might be better able to cope with food in the open air than in a store where smells are trapped inside.
When you're feeling good, try shopping at stores that sell food in bulk so you always have ingredients on hand.
Ask for help taking the groceries out to the car and loading them. Most stores are happy to provide this service if you ask. Or ask a friend to go shopping with you and help you put the groceries away when you get home.
If you need help coming up with a healthy meal plan, you may want to talk to a registered oncology dietitian. If you live in the United States, you can search for dietitians in your ZIP code. Some cancer centers may also have a dietitian on staff.