Maintaining Nutrition When You Have Multiple Myeloma

When you’re dealing with multiple myeloma, nutrition can be an important part of your journey. Eating a well-balanced diet during and after treatment can help you feel better, maintain your strength, and speed your recovery.^[1]

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of a person’s white plasma cells, the cells that fight infection and disease, and it can permanently weaken bones and damage organs. It’s a rare and incurable disease that often returns after successful treatment.^[2]

When you have multiple myeloma, sometimes eating is the last thing you want to do. The symptoms of this illness and the effects of treatment can make it hard to have an appetite or eat as much as you want to. But getting the right nutrients and enough of them is an important part of getting well.^[3]

A few diet tips and tricks can make it easier to eat well and nourish your body. Also, ask your doctor about working with a dietitian, who can help you choose the right foods. Here are some dietary tips from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society^[4] for individuals undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Depending on what type of treatment you undergo for multiple myeloma, you may experience weight changes. Aim to maintain a healthy weight during treatment, avoiding excess gain or loss. Strict dieting during treatment is not recommended.
• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Eating frequent small meals will ensure your body is getting adequate calories, protein, and nutrients to endure treatment. Smaller meals may also help to minimize treatment-related side effects such as nausea. Try eating 5-6 small meals or “mini” meals about every 3 hours.
• Choose foods that are bland and easy on your stomach. Since medications used to treat multiple myeloma often cause nausea and vomiting, avoid foods that are spicy and fried. Avoid foods with strong odors. Instead, choose foods that are at room temperature and bland such as crackers, cheese, canned fruit, yogurt, toast, potatoes, rice, and pasta.
• Choose protein-rich foods. Protein helps the body to repair cells and tissues. It also aids in the recovery and maintenance of the immune system. Choose to include a source of lean protein at all meals and snacks. Good sources of lean protein include lean meats (chicken, fish, or turkey), eggs, nuts, beans, and soy foods.
• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables offer the body antioxidants which can help fight against cancer. Choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to get the greatest benefit. Aim to eat a minimum of 5 servings of whole fruits and vegetables daily.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking enough fluids during cancer treatment is important for preventing dehydration. Aim to drink 64 ounces of fluid daily. Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages as too much caffeine can lead to dehydration.
• Limit sweets and added sugars. Foods high in added sugars like desserts and sweets provide little nutritional benefit and often take the place of other nutritious foods.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Alcohol may contribute to dehydration, can impair the immune system, and provides no beneficial nutrients.
• Be observant of changes in bowel habits. Chemotherapy can sometimes cause changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, bloating, and gas. It is important for you to communicate with your healthcare team any changes in your bowel habits. Changes in your food choices or medications may be necessary to manage these side effects.
• Talk to your healthcare team before taking any vitamins or supplements. Some medications and cancer treatments may interact with vitamins and supplements. Choose food first as the primary source for nutrients.

Nutrition is particularly important for patients who might be considering trials ^[5]. You can find out if you’re eligible for Bristol Myers Squibb multiple myeloma trials here.

Your multiple myeloma journey is unique to you and your treatment. You may experience side effects that affect your ability to follow these suggestions. A registered dietitian can suggest nutrition guidelines that may be appropriate for your particular journey.

^[1] https://pearlpoint.org/i-have-multiple-myeloma-what-should-i-eat/, Accessed September 30, 2022
^[2]  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/after-treatment/follow-up.html, Accessed September 30, 2022
^[3] https://www.webmd.com/cancer/multiple-myeloma/diet-blood-cancer-myeloma, Accessed September 30, 2022
^[4]https://pearlpoint.org/i-have-multiple-myeloma-what-should-i-eat/#:~:text=Aim%20to%20eat%20a%20minimum,broiled%2C%20or%20grilled%20foods%20instead., Accessed September 30, 2022
^[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5654371/, Accessed September 30, 2022