Eating When You Have Mouth or Throat Sores
Some treatments for breast cancer, including chemotherapy, can lead to painful mouth or throat sores, also called mucositis. When you’re dealing with sores, there are two important things to keep in mind about eating and drinking: first, always stay hydrated. Dehydration — and a dry mouth — can make mouth sores worse. Second, no matter what you choose to eat and drink, avoid high temperatures. Hot food can make mouth and throat sores more painful.
Foods to eat
Foods that are cool, smooth, and/or don’t require much chewing can make eating with mouth sores less painful.
Blended, pureed, and other soft foods
Eating these soft foods with a spoon or straw eliminates the need to chew — and can even help you keep food away from your mouth sores altogether. Options include:
smoothies made with fresh or frozen fruit — add a handful of greens, a protein source, and a healthy fat to make it a balanced meal
applesauce
cream of wheat
mashed potatoes
hummus
grits
pudding
scrambled eggs
refried beans
tofu
Soft dairy products
Soft dairy foods don’t require chewing and can even soothe mouth sores. Options include:
yogurt
kefir
cottage cheese
Creamy soups
Creamy soups that don’t require chewing are gentler and less likely to irritate sores in the mouth and throat. Non-tomato-based gazpacho is an excellent choice since it’s served cold, but you can also try soups at room temperature, including:
cream of mushroom soup
butternut squash soup
roasted red pepper soup
roasted cauliflower soup
pea soup
Ground, minced, or finely chopped meats
Some meats can be prepared so they’re soft and require little chewing, like:
canned “chunk” tuna
mild white fish
ground beef, chicken, or turkey
Boiled or steamed vegetables
Cooking vegetables until they’re soft helps minimize chewing and irritation on sores. Try:
potatoes
carrots
broccoli
Soaked foods
Soaking food can make it softer and gentler on your sore mouth. Try:
soaking cold cereal in milk
coating rice in sauce
dipping toast in a runny egg yolk
Cold drinks
Cold drinks keep the body hydrated, help food move down the throat more quickly, and even soothe mouth and throat sores. Try drinking one of these beverages with every meal:
ice water
milk
coconut water
lassi (yogurt mixed with water)
Frozen treats
Frozen desserts can soothe a sore mouth and throat (and be a sweet treat). Good options include:
popsicles
ice cream and milkshakes
gelato
sorbet
sherbert
Foods to avoid
Foods that burn, sting, or scratch your mouth could worsen mouth and throat sores.
Spicy foods, sauces, and seasonings
The capsaicin in many spicy foods can irritate mouth and throat sores. Avoid eating foods like:
spicy curry
hot peppers
hot sauce
sriracha
chili powder
cayenne powder
crushed red pepper flakes
salsa
Acidic foods and drinks
Acidic foods can cause a stinging or burning sensation when you have mouth sores and may delay healing. Avoid:
citrus fruits
tomatoes
berries
pineapple
vinegar
coffee
alcohol
fruit juice
Hard and crunchy foods
Crunchy, tough foods can scrape mouth and throat sores, causing pain and delaying healing. Avoid:
granola
pretzels
crusty bread
popcorn
potato chips
crackers
Tips from our community
Members of the Breastcancer.org community have shared their tips for dealing with mouth and throat sores in our forums:
If you have an ice cream maker or high-powered blender, try making a sorbet or ice cream with frozen fruit and your milk of choice.
For an extra nutritional boost, try high-protein ice cream — or, freeze a protein shake and eat it like ice cream.
Magic mouthwash for mouth sores can work wonders.
Try nutrition drinks or shakes for a nutrient boost.
While your doctor may prescribe medications to help heal your mouth or throat sores, they don’t work instantaneously. Trying some soft, cool, gentle foods can help soothe the pain and give your body the nutrients it needs to recover.