7 Foods to Avoid If You Have Lung Cancer
CancerLung Cancer
Explore This Topic

7 Foods to Avoid or Limit if You Have Lung Cancer

Learn which foods to avoid during lung cancer treatment to help ease side effects, feel stronger during recovery, and lower your risk for developing other types of cancer.
By
Published on June 30, 2025
by
eggs, steak, tomatoes
Lung cancer treatment can cause side effects like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and taste changes, and your dietary choices can affect your symptoms. Diets that include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains can help ease uncomfortable symptoms, but other foods can magnify them.

You may not feel like eating much while in treatment, but nutrition plays an important role in lung cancer recovery.

 Avoiding foods that aggravate your symptoms can make the journey easier.
1

Spicy Foods

chilli peppers
Chili peppers, hot mustard, and other spicy foods can irritate your stomach lining and cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal (GI) flare-ups.

 Foods loaded with hot flavor can also worsen mouth sores that often happen with chemotherapy treatment.

To be kind to your mouth and stomach, stick to blander, more mild foods like mashed potatoes, rice, smoothies, yogurt, pureed non-citrus fruits, and cereal.

 Some people also find munching on dry foods like crackers and pretzels through the day can help ease GI symptoms.

2

Steak

steak
You need plenty of protein during lung cancer treatment, but a steak may not be your best option. Red meats like beef, pork, and lamb have excessive saturated fats and compounds that can increase your risk for other cancers.

“Focus on protein sources from lean meats such as chicken, fish, and turkey, or nonanimal proteins like nut butters, beans, and whole soy foods such as tofu and tempeh,” says Kerry St. Pierre, RD, licensed dietitian nutritionist in New York City and secretary of the cancer interest group at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

3

Tomatoes

tomatoes
Tomatoes are highly acidic, and eating them can worsen digestion problems. Other foods high in acid can do the same, such as citrus fruits, coffee, and vinegar.

Acidic foods don’t just upset your stomach; they can also irritate mouth sores. But sticking with low-acid choices, such as bananas, brown rice, and yogurt, can help ease these symptoms.

4

Alcohol

beer
Although it’s a beverage and not a food, alcohol should also be avoided if you have lung cancer, since it can cause dehydration if you're undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.

“It’s crucial to remain hydrated during lung cancer treatment, and even small amounts of alcohol like one glass of wine or beer can contribute to dehydration,” says St. Pierre. She adds that maintaining proper hydration can make treatment side effects less severe, and it lowers your odds of missing lung cancer treatments.

Alcohol may also make chemotherapy drugs less effective and can worsen uncomfortable GI symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

“It is best for lung cancer patients to avoid alcohol and instead hydrate with water, herbal and green teas, smoothies, and diluted juice,” says St. Pierre.

5

Runny Eggs

eggs
Your body’s immune system can’t function at its best during lung cancer treatment, so it’s important to avoid unnecessary exposure to infectious germs. Eggs that are cooked over-easy, poached, soft-boiled, or sunny-side up could carry salmonella, a bacterial bug that causes stomach flu–like symptoms.

You can avoid a salmonella infection by preparing and ordering your eggs fully cooked during treatment. Also steer clear of Caesar salad dressing, homemade eggnog, raw cookie dough, hollandaise sauce, and homemade mayo, since these foods are usually made with raw eggs.

6

Sushi

sushi
A suppressed immune system during cancer treatment also puts you at higher risk for food-borne parasites, bacteria, and viruses from raw or undercooked foods, like sushi.

 If you adore sushi or maki rolls and don’t want to give them up, order them with cooked fish, like California, unagi, or shrimp tempura rolls. If you’re currently undergoing lung cancer treatment, also consider skipping the spicy wasabi to keep your stomach and mouth happier during treatment.
7

Deli Meat

deli meats
Deli meats make delicious sandwiches, but they can contain a type of bacteria called listeria, which can cause a serious infection in people with a weak immune system.

“Processed meats are [also] often high in saturated fat, which can exacerbate post-treatment symptoms such as nausea, bloating, reflux, and heartburn,” says St. Pierre.

Instead of sliced sandwich meat, try roasted chicken, canned tuna, hard-boiled egg salad, or peanut butter and jelly. If treatment has left you feeling like nothing sounds good, ask your healthcare provider to connect you with a registered dietitian, who can help you design an appetizing diet tailored for you.

The Takeaway

  • When you’re undergoing lung cancer treatment, some foods can make you feel worse. Others may help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, such as mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • Different types of foods can cause different problems. Spicy or acidic foods may irritate your mouth or gastrointestinal tract, and raw foods can make you more susceptible to food-borne illnesses.
  • If you feel overwhelmed by your dietary limitations or don’t have much of an appetite due to treatment, your healthcare provider can refer you to a registered dietitian, who can help you design a diet that’s safe and appetizing.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Mao S et al. Postoperative Nutritional Strategies for Lung Cancer Patients: Enhancing Recovery and Well-Being. Journal on Surgery. November 2023.
  2. DeMarco C. 10 Things to Avoid While Receiving Chemotherapy. MD Anderson Cancer Center. January 4, 2023.
  3. Nutrition Plans for Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment. UCSF Health.
  4. Nutrition and Lung Cancer. American Lung Association. November 5, 2024.
  5. Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption. National Cancer Institute. April 2025.
  6. Picking Healthy Proteins. American Heart Association. August 28, 2024.
  7. Mouth Soreness and Pain. American Cancer Society. October 28, 2024.
  8. Underferth D et al. 12 Things to Know About Alcohol and Cancer. MD Anderson Cancer Center. April 22, 2024.
  9. Shi M et al. Alcohol Consumption Among Adults With a Cancer Diagnosis in the All of Us Research Program. JAMA Network. August 10, 2023.
  10. Salmonella Infection. Mayo Clinic. April 30, 2025.
  11. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment. American Cancer Society.
  12. Get the Scoop on Sushi Safety. Cleveland Clinic. October 23, 2020.
  13. Rajagopal S et al. Cancer Diet: Foods to Add and Avoid During Cancer Treatment. The Johns Hopkins University.
  14. Chavarria F. What to Eat After You’ve Been Diagnosed with Cancer. Keck Medicine of USC. May 8, 2025.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Lynn Griger photo

Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES

Medical Reviewer

Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988. 

Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.

See full bio

Abby McCoy, RN

Author

Abby McCoy is an experienced registered nurse who has worked with adults and pediatric patients encompassing trauma, orthopedics, home care, transplant, and case management. She is a married mother of four and loves the circus — that is her home! She has family all over the world, and loves to travel as much as possible.

McCoy has written for publications like Remedy Health Media, Sleepopolis, and Expectful. She is passionate about health education and loves using her experience and knowledge in her writing.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network