During cancer treatment, the priority is energy and protein density: roughly 25–30 kcal per kg of body weight and 1.2–1.5 g of protein per kg per day, served in small, frequent, easy-to-eat meals. Because treatment suppresses appetite, watch for the GLIM warning signs — weight loss over 5% in 6 months, low BMI, or shrinking calf muscle — and escalate to the care team when they appear.
Cancer treatment raises metabolic demands at a time when appetite falls. Current clinical guidance converges on high-energy (25–30 kcal/kg/day) and high-protein (1.2–1.5 g/kg/day) intake — the protein level that protects muscle during catabolic stress. The ESPEN practical guideline on clinical nutrition in cancer sets the framework for screening and support.
The GLIM consensus (5-year update, 2025) defines malnutrition for diagnosis and triggers intervention. Check in with the care team if any of these appear:
Or more than 10% beyond 6 months — the first red flag.
Below 20 for people under 70; below 22 for people 70 and older.
Calf circumference under 33 cm (men) or 32 cm (women) suggests muscle loss.
These are screening signs, not a diagnosis — they mean "ask for a formal nutrition assessment."
Eggs, fish, poultry, tofu and legumes spread across the day protect muscle.
Congee, soft stews, smoothies and warm bowls deliver calories without chewing burden.
Color variety supports micronutrients without crowding out protein.
Five to six smaller meals beat three large ones when appetite is low.