Medical Oncologist
Managing treatment side effects
What to Eat When — Treatment Causes Diarrhoea
Cancer tablets can cause diarrhoea that does not settle the way an ordinary stomach upset does. What you eat and drink over the next day can make a real difference to how quickly your gut recovers.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed August 2026
- Plain and simple works best — Low-fibre, low-fat foods give your gut the least work to do while it settles.
- Hydration matters more than food — Fluid and salt loss is the main risk. ORS replaces both more effectively than plain water alone.
- Indian staples are a good starting point — Plain rice, curd, soft idli, and thin dal are well suited to an unsettled stomach.
- Some healthy foods can make it worse — High-fibre foods that normally support digestion can irritate a sensitive gut during treatment.
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Plain rice, curd, soft idli, and banana are well tolerated when cancer tablets cause diarrhoea. Eat small amounts every two to three hours, drink ORS or plain water steadily, and avoid spicy and oily food. Tell your oncology team if loose motions are not improving or are getting worse through the day.
Which foods help when treatment causes diarrhoea?
Plain white rice, soft idli, khichdi, and ripe banana are gentle on the gut and a good starting point. These foods are low in fibre and fat, which means they give your gut the least work to do while it is unsettled.
Curd (dahi) at room temperature is usually safe and often helpful. It contains live cultures that support gut recovery, and unlike cold milk, it is easy to digest. Plain curd with plain rice is a combination many people manage well during treatment diarrhoea.
Thin moong dal without spices, boiled potato, and soft upma made with little oil are other options that provide nourishment without irritating the gut. Small, frequent amounts are easier to manage than three large meals.
How to eat through the day when your stomach is unsettled
Start with fluids, not food
Sip ORS (Electral or Enerzal) or plain water steadily from the morning. Small sips through the day replace fluid and salts better than drinking large amounts at once.
Eat something small within the first few hours
Plain rice with thin dal or a soft idli is a reasonable first meal. A small amount that stays down is better than a large portion that does not.
Add curd once solid food is settling
Plain curd at room temperature can be introduced once you are tolerating rice and idli. It is easy to digest and the live cultures may support your gut.
Keep eating through the day, even if your appetite is low
An empty stomach often worsens nausea and cramping. Small, regular amounts of plain food give your body the calories it needs to continue treatment.
Note what helps and what does not
Keep a brief record of what you ate and how your stomach responded. This makes it easier to tell your team exactly what is happening when you next speak to them.
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Which foods tend to make treatment diarrhoea worse?
Spicy food, oily food, and high-fibre food tend to worsen treatment-related diarrhoea. Some of these are foods normally thought of as healthy — raw salads, whole wheat roti, rajma, chhole, and vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower. Fibre that usually supports digestion can irritate an already sensitive gut.
Cold milk is often poorly tolerated during diarrhoea because the gut temporarily becomes less able to process lactose. Thin chaas (buttermilk) and plain curd are usually easier to manage than a glass of cold milk.
Fried food, biryani, and masala-heavy curries should wait until your gut has settled. This is not a permanent restriction — most people can return to their usual diet once symptoms are under control.
Did you know?
The main danger from diarrhoea during treatment is not the loose motions themselves but the fluid and salts you lose with them. Plain water replaces fluid but not the salts your body needs to function.
WHO oral rehydration salts — available as Electral, Enerzal, or other pharmacy brands — are specifically designed to replace both together, and are more effective than plain water or soft drinks.
Source: World Health Organization — Oral Rehydration Therapy
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is curd safe to eat during cancer treatment?
Yes, plain curd at room temperature is usually safe and often helpful during treatment-related diarrhoea. It is easier to digest than cold milk, and the live cultures it contains may support gut recovery. Very cold curd can worsen cramping, so let it come to room temperature before eating. If your treatment involves a specific instruction to avoid dairy, your team will have told you — otherwise plain curd is a reasonable and nourishing choice.
Can I drink coconut water when I have diarrhoea from my tablets?
Coconut water is generally safe in moderate amounts and can help replace some of the potassium lost during diarrhoea. It should not replace ORS, which is formulated to replace the full range of fluid and salts your body loses. Think of coconut water as an additional option if you find ORS unpleasant, not as a substitute. Tell your oncology team if you are depending on it heavily, particularly if your treatment affects kidney function.
Should I stop eating when I have diarrhoea from treatment?
No. Stopping food entirely can worsen nausea, reduce your energy, and make it harder for your body to tolerate the next round of treatment. The goal is not to starve the gut but to find foods it can manage — plain, low-fat, low-fibre options eaten in small amounts regularly. An empty stomach is not easier on the gut; it is usually harder.
Is it safe to take a herbal or ayurvedic remedy for diarrhoea alongside my cancer tablets?
Many people reach for herbal or traditional remedies when they are unwell, and that is understandable. The concern is that some herbal preparations can interact with cancer tablets — either reducing their absorption or making side effects stronger. Before taking any preparation, including those sold as digestive or gut remedies, tell your oncology team what it is. They are not there to judge the practice; they need the information to make sure your treatment continues to work safely.
When should I call my oncology team about diarrhoea?
Call the same day if loose motions are not settling, are clearly getting worse, or you are struggling to keep fluids down. Go to hospital promptly if there is blood or mucus in your stool, you have a fever alongside the diarrhoea, or you have severe abdominal pain. Dietary adjustment helps with mild diarrhoea — it does not treat underlying inflammation, and your team needs to know if symptoms are not responding.