Mesothelioma Diet and Nutrition Tips

Why Nutrition Matters for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease spreads aggressively in the body, and people often struggle with challenging symptoms and face difficult side effects related to treatment.

Research and clinical guidance, including recommendations from organizations like the American Cancer Society, show that proper nutrition can help:

• Support the immune system and reduce the risk of infections
• Improve recovery after surgery or other intensive treatments
• Improve energy levels, strength, and stamina
• Support mental health, mood, and overall quality of life
• Help patients better tolerate treatments such as chemotherapy

Maintaining adequate nutrition can be especially challenging for people with mesothelioma, as symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, or reduced appetite are common. Adjusting eating habits can help address these challenges.

Mesothelioma Diet: Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Weight

For people with mesothelioma, maintaining a healthy body weight is an important part of overall care, especially before surgery or while undergoing chemotherapy. Cancer treatment can place significant stress on the body, and unintended weight loss may make it difficult to tolerate therapy or recover afterward.

Weight management is a crucial part of providing the body with the nutrition, calories, and energy it needs to heal, fight infection, and maintain strength.

Expert Insight on Nutrition and Weight

Dr. David Rice, director of the Mesothelioma Program and Thoracic Surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center, speaks publicly about the importance of nutrition for mesothelioma patients. In an interview with Everyday Health, Dr. Rice noted that some patients present with low body weight at diagnosis, which is a concern because many types of cancer treatment often lead to further weight loss.

When patients begin treatment already underweight, they face higher risks during surgery or could have more difficulty tolerating chemotherapy. For this reason, Dr. Rice often encourages patients to work closely with a nutrition professional to ensure they are consuming enough calories in a healthy, sustainable way.

What Mesothelioma Patients Should Eat and Drink

People diagnosed with mesothelioma often have questions about diet and nutrition. They want to know: “Is there a special diet I should follow?” “What food should I be eating?” and “What food should I avoid?” These are valid questions because cancer and treatment can affect appetite, digestion, energy levels, and overall comfort.

The truth is there is no single diet which works for every person with mesothelioma. Nutritional needs vary based on the patient’s overall health, type of mesothelioma, type of treatment, current side effects, and personal preferences.

That being said, doctors and nutritional specialists agree with several research-based principles that can help patients build a diet focused on strength, healing, and day-to-day well-being. These guidelines are meant to be flexible, not restrictive, and adaptable.

What to Eat and Drink Before Mesothelioma Surgery

Mesothelioma surgery can be an effective treatment option, but it also places significant physical demands on the body. Regardless of the specific procedure, surgery requires strength, time to heal, and resilience. Good nutrition before surgery helps prepare the body for this challenge and supports recovery afterward.

Eating well in the weeks leading up to surgery can help strengthen the immune system, preserve muscle mass, and improve the body’s ability to heal. Even small improvements in nutrition before surgery can make a meaningful difference during recovery.

Why Nutrition Before Surgery Matters

According to the National Cancer Institute, one of the leading cancer research and treatment organizations and facilities in the world, surgery can temporarily slow a body’s digestive process and disrupt normal eating patterns. Patients may also lose fluids during surgery, which can contribute to decreases in weight, strength, and essential nutrients.

Because of these challenges, nutrition specialists often recommend focusing on high-calorie, high-protein food before surgery to help build reserves that the body can use during healing.

Food to Focus On Before Surgery

The health and wellness organization LiveStrong recommends prioritizing protein-rich food to support tissue repair and immune function. Examples include:

• Animal-based options: chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, and yogurt
• Plant-based options: soy milk, tofu, almonds, walnuts, peanut butter, and other nut butters

These options can be incorporated into meals or snacks throughout the day, especially for patients who struggle to eat large portions at once.

Planning Ahead for Recovery

The National Cancer Institute encourages patients and caregivers to plan ahead for mesothelioma surgery recovery by preparing easy-to-make or ready-to-eat meals before surgery. Stocking the pantry or freezer with nourishing food can make it easier to maintain adequate nutrition during the early recovery period, when fatigue and limited mobility are common.

Simple steps such as preparing soups, smoothies, casseroles, or protein-rich snacks in advance can help patients regain strength and maintain weight during the weeks following surgery.

What to Eat and Drink During Mesothelioma Treatment

Chemotherapy is an FDA-approved treatment for mesothelioma and remains an important part of care for many patients fighting this type of cancer. While chemotherapy is designed to attack cancer cells, it can also attack healthy cells, which may temporarily lower blood counts and place strain on the body.

Because of this, many people undergoing chemotherapy for mesothelioma experience side effects such as fatigue, nausea, muscle weakness, and memory or concentration difficulties (often called “chemo brain”). These symptoms can make it harder to eat well, but nutrition becomes even more important during this time.

How Nutrition Can Support the Body During Treatment

A nutrient-rich mesothelioma diet can help support the body while it works through treatment. Clinical guidance, supported by organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, emphasizes that proper nutrition during chemotherapy can:

• Help preserve muscle mass and physical strength
• Support the immune system while blood counts are affected
• Improve energy levels and day-to-day functioning
• Help patients better tolerate treatment side effects

Food doesn’t replace medical therapy in killing cancer cells, but it can play a meaningful role in helping patients feel stronger and more resilient during treatment.

Food to Focus On During Chemotherapy

For many mesothelioma patients, diets emphasizing plant-based and minimally processed food, along with adequate protein and calories, are recommended. These options can provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber to support overall health while remaining easy to digest.

Recommended food categories during mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment include:

Because chemotherapy side effects vary widely, food choices should remain flexible. What works one week may change the next, which is normal.

Expert-Recommended Nutrition Tips for Mesothelioma Patients

Nutrition can feel overwhelming during cancer treatment, especially when fatigue, nausea, or poor appetite make eating difficult. Dr. Julie Lanford, wellness director at Cancer Services, Inc., shared practical, patient-centered nutrition strategies to help people with mesothelioma maintain strength and energy. She discussed these recommendations in an article published by Conquer Magazine.

Practical Diet Tips to Support Strength and Energy

Eat Smaller Meals More Often

Eating five, six, or even seven small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals can better sustain energy throughout the day and is easier to digest. Smaller portions are often easier to tolerate and may reduce nausea, fatigue, or discomfort.

Start Eating Soon After Waking Up

Eating a small breakfast or snack right after waking up can provide energy to start the day and reduce some side effects, like nausea. Try to eat within 1 hour of getting up, and then plan to snack every 2-3 hours. Regular intervals between eating can help maintain energy levels and prevent unintended weight loss.

Keep High-Calorie, High-Protein Snacks on Hand

Having ready-to-eat snacks available nourishes your body when you’re too tired to cook. These snacks can serve as a full meal replacement on difficult days.

Accept Help When Offered

It may be necessary to ask family or friends to help with grocery shopping, meal and snack preparation. Allowing others to help can reduce stress and conserve energy.

Use Nutrition Drinks When Needed

Nutritional shakes or drinks can be a convenient way to consume calories, protein, and essential nutrients, especially when appetite is low. These supplements can add calories, nutrients, and protein throughout the day. They can be a snack in between meals or a drink with meals. 

Try Light Physical Activity if Approved by Your Doctor

Regular physical activity can have important benefits for people with mesothelioma cancer. Short walks and gentle stretching may help stimulate the appetite and aid in digestion. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute found that exercise can reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Other potential benefits include improving fatigue, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.

The type and intensity of physical activity varies depending on the patient’s overall health and abilities, and any exercise program or activity should be approved by the physician.

Calories, Protein, and Hydration for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma treatment can increase the body’s need for energy while decreasing appetite. Being intentional about nutrition is critical for maintaining strength, supporting immune function, preserving muscle mass, and promoting healing. 

Fatigue, anemia, and nausea are common side effects of cancer treatment. Increasing calorie intake when possible, choosing protein-rich food, and staying well-hydrated can help the body cope with these symptoms.

How to Add More Protein to Your Mesothelioma Diet

Your body relies on protein to repair tissue, maintain muscle, and recover during and after treatment. While meat is a common source, there are other, easily digestible protein-rich options:

Simple ways to boost protein in your diet:

• Paring bread, crackers, or wraps with hummus or nut-based spreads
• Snacking on roasted nuts or apple slices with cheese
• Adding cheese or nut-based butters with crackers, toast, or fruit
• Mixing high-protein food like chicken, eggs, beans, or tofu to salads, soups, casseroles or omelets
• Choosing desserts made with eggs, such as puddings or custards
• Topping cereals and yogurt with seeds and nuts
• Stirring powdered milk or protein powder into mashed potatoes, soups, or hot cereal

How to Add More Calories to Your Mesothelioma Diet

People with mesothelioma often experience nausea and are unable to consume their normal daily calorie amount (2,000-3,000 calories depending on the patient’s gender, weight, and height). They may skip or not finish a meal because they feel ill or lose their appetite.

Prioritizing calorie-dense food can help maintain strength, prevent weight loss, and support energy levels during treatment. When experiencing a loss of appetite, small adjustments can make a meaningful difference.

Consider these strategies to increase daily calorie intake:

If nausea is a concern, cold or room-temperature food can be tolerable. Sipping high-calorie nutrition shakes between meals can help bridge nutrition gaps. 

Responding to Taste Changes Due to Chemotherapy

Changes in taste are a common side effect of chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Food may suddenly taste metallic, bitter, overly sweet, or bland. You may also notice a heightened sensitivity to food smells or find that your favorite foods no longer sound appealing. Chemotherapy-related taste changes can make eating feel frustrating or discouraging, especially when maintaining calorie intake is so important.

Adjusting flavors and modifying textures can help make meals more enjoyable and give you the calories needed:

Taste changes are often temporary, so continue experimenting. Focus on easily digestible, nourishing food during treatment.

Eating and Drinking Safely During Treatment

During chemotherapy, your immune system is weak, making fighting infections harder. Because of this, food safety becomes important.

Even mild food-borne illnesses can become serious when white blood cell counts are low. Take extra precautions with food preparation and storage to protect your health.

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City advises people with mesothelioma to practice four simple steps to avoid food-born illnesses:

Some experts suggest avoiding raw or undercooked meats, sushi, unpasteurized dairy products, and buffets during cancer treatment. When in doubt, choose freshly prepared, fully cooked food and consult your health care team if you have questions about specific dietary restrictions.

What to Eat and Drink After Mesothelioma Treatment Ends

Healthy nutrition plays an important role after mesothelioma treatment ends. Recovery is a time to rebuild strength, support immune function, restore muscle mass, repair tissue, and reduce the risk of developing another chronic illness. While no specific diet is perfect, a balanced and nutrient-rich eating lifestyle can support long-term health and overall well-being.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists healthy eating as one of the key ways to stay well after cancer treatment. In addition to avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, protecting your skin from the sun, staying physically active, and keeping up with follow-up appointments, the CDC encourages cancer survivors to focus on plant-forward meals.

“Make half your plate fruits and vegetables” is a simple yet powerful guideline. Choosing whole foods over processed options, drinking plenty of water, and limiting added sugars can also support recovery and long-term health.

Examples of Food to Eat After Mesothelioma Treatment

After treatment, focus on food rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and lean protein. These nutrients help repair tissues, support digestion, and promote heart health.

Whole-grain breads, brown rice, quinoa, and high-fiber cereals can help restore energy levels and support digestive health. Additional nutritious choices include:

Staying hydrated is just as important as the food you eat. Water should be the primary beverage, but herbal teas, broths, and smoothies can also help.

As always, individual needs vary, so patients should speak with their oncologist, nutrition specialist in their care team, or a registered dietician to develop an effective nutrition plan.

Mesothelioma Nutrition Advice From an Expert

Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting patients before, during, and after mesothelioma treatment. While diet alone cannot fight cancer, nutritional support can help strengthen the body for surgery, improve tolerance to chemotherapy, reduce treatment-related side effects, and increase energy to support recovery. Proper nutrition may also help preserve muscle mass, maintain energy levels, and enhance overall quality of life throughout the treatment journey.

For many mesothelioma patients, the goals are clear: Extend survival beyond expectations whenever possible, and maintain a high quality of life. A thoughtful, personalized nutrition plan is one meaningful way to support those goals.

When combined with expert medical care, emotional support, and proactive symptom management, a healthy diet can empower patients to take an active role in their care.

At Mesothelioma Guide, we share stories of survivors who have lived beyond their initial prognosis. We also highlight the strategies that supported their journeys.

If you would like to read about these inspirational stories, please request our free Survivors Guide book to learn how these survivors beat mesothelioma. If you would like additional guidance or educational resources about mesothelioma treatment or dietary tips, please reach out to our registered nurse and patient advocate, Karen Ritter, RN. Email Karen at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com.