Esophageal Cancer: Dietary Changes & Tips to Eat Well

Many patients experience dietary, and appetite changes related to treatment for esophageal cancer. The good news is there are strategies that can help you manage these changes as they arise.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 22,000 cases of esophageal cancer diagnosed in 2025.1In recognition of Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, we are spotlighting dietary changes and nutritional concerns that may arise during and after esophageal cancer treatment, and tips to cope. 

Navigating life with esophageal cancer can be difficult and may look different for everyone. Some patients will experience unwanted side effects of treatment that cause even more disruption. These side effects may include dietary and appetite changes that arise during or after treatment. Fortunately, there are ways to be prepared for and to manage these changes.

Different treatment options are available for patients with esophageal cancer. Surgery is the most common treatment for esophageal cancer. An esophagectomy is surgical a procedure where all or part of the esophagus is removed. After the procedure, you will not be able to eat or drink right away. Patients rely on a feeding tube to supplement their nutritional needs while in recovery.

Other treatment methods include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy, endoscopic treatment, and clinical trials. Your care team will consider your cancer’s type, stage, and location when making your treatment plan.

Note: All treatment types may result in side effects. It is important to talk with your healthcare team about the side effects of treatment before you begin. Many patients experience dietary and appetite changes when undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer treatment can make eating and drinking especially challenging. Treatment side effects such as nausea, mouth sores, dry mouth, and difficulty swallowing can make eating difficult. A reduced stomach capacity is a common side effect after an esophagectomy procedure. These factors often lead to a reduced appetite and unintentional weight loss.

Here are a few treatment side effects that may impact eating and nutrition, and tips that may help:

Difficulty Swallowing

Esophageal stricture is when there is unusual narrowing of the esophagus. A narrow esophagus is associated with pain and difficulty swallowing. Some treatment types, like radiation therapy and surgery, may cause esophageal stricture.

Smooth and creamy, our Beet Hummus recipe may help if you are experiencing swallowing issues.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a common side effect associated with certain cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These therapies can cause a decreased amount of saliva in your mouth. Dry mouth can make it difficult to chew and swallow.

Try our Mango Lassi Overnight Oats recipe. It features ingredients that can help ease dry mouth, including juicy mango and tart Greek yogurt.

Aspiration

Aspiration occurs when food or liquid enters the airway instead of your esophagus.2 Coughing, choking, and regurgitation are common signs of aspiration. Acid reflux, mouth sores, dysphagia, the use of feeding tubes, and certain types of treatment may increase the risk of aspiration.

If you are experiencing frequent aspiration, consider meeting with a speech language pathologist. Speech language pathologists are trained professionals who can provide you with tips and techniques to make swallowing easier. It’s important to address and work on your swallowing challenges. As your ability to swallow improves, the risk of frequent aspiration and associated challenges lowers.

Painful Sores in the Mouth and Throat

Some esophageal cancer treatment methods may cause sores in the mouth and throat. This can cause pain and inflammation, which makes it difficult to eat and drink.

Cool and soothing, our Cranberry Coconut Popsicle recipe is a healthy frozen treat that may ease mouth pain related to treatment.

Nausea & Vomiting

Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) and vomiting (throwing up) are side effects that many people associate with cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy. Patients may experience a loss of appetite and weight loss due to symptoms like nausea and vomiting, which are common during treatment.

When feeling nauseated, try our Almond Banana Wheatberry Cereal. It may help relieve nausea and side effects including mouth pain and fatigue.

Learn to Navigate Esophageal Cancer

Explore our new fact sheet to understand more about your diagnosis, including treatment options, managing treatment side effects, and finding emotional support.

Take Me There Now

Quick Tips to Manage Treatment-related Eating Problems

You will likely experience dietary changes when undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer. Your daily diet and nutritional habits may feel very different after your diagnosis and going through treatment. Keeping a food and symptoms journal can help you track what you eat and how it makes you feel. A food and symptom journal makes it easier to communicate with your care team and loved ones about the side effects you are experiencing.

A healthy diet is key to a successful recovery. Try these tips to eat well:

1. Avoid rich, spicy, acidic, sugary or greasy foods. This may include foods like citruses, chocolate, tomatoes, tough meats, and hot sauce. Look for recipes that use substitutes for rich, spicy, and acidic ingredients. Our Sweet Potato Chili recipe is tomato-free and features ground turkey in place of beef.
2. Limit alcohol and caffeine. Your care team may also advise you to avoid drinks such as soda and hot beverages.
3. Eat at a slower pace.
4. Cut your food into small, bite size pieces.
5. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
6. Sit in an upright position (45-degree angle or more) after eating.
7. Add sauces and gravies to soften your food and make it easier to swallow.

Speak with members of your care team, like a registered dietitian (RD), for more tips on managing side effects that may impact your eating and drinking experience. They may recommend specific medications or lifestyle changes.

“By talking with a nutritionist, I learned that staying well hydrated, consuming a certain number of calories daily, and overall good nutrition was the key to successfully battling cancer, as well as the key to a more rapid recovery. Outside of maintaining a positive attitude, proper nutrition was key to my overall success.”

Jason, stage IV oral cancer patient

Finally, it’s important to note that treatment side effects can impact not only your physical well-being, but your mental health too. As an esophageal cancer patient, you will need to adjust your lifestyle to establish a “new normal.” Your emotions may also be exhausted in ways you did not initially expect. It is important to seek support from your care team, family, friends and other loved ones when you feel overwhelmed.

Always remember: There are people and resources available to help you every step of the way during your esophageal cancer treatment, through survivorship, and beyond.

• 1

  American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/esophageal Accessed 4/1/2025.

• 2

  Memorial Sloan Kettering Center https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/how-prevent-aspiration Accessed 4/7/2025.