Download Sore or Irritated Mouth or Throat

Sore or Irritated Mouth or Throat
Some people with cancer may have a sore mouth, throat, or mouth sores, which may be caused by
chemotherapy or radiation treatment to the head and neck area. A sore mouth or throat may make it
difficult to chew and swallow enough food to maintain your weight, or drink adequate fluids. Keeping
your mouth clean prevents infections, soothes, and improves healing of a sore mouth and throat.
What to Try:
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Eat soft, creamy, lukewarm and cold foods that are soothing.
Blend and moisten foods that are dry or solid to add to soups, sauces, gravies, or casseroles.
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Add gravies, syrups, dressings, mayonnaise to soften foods
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Drink through a straw; try milkshakes, smoothies, and commercial liquid food supplements.
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Season foods with herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme.
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Keep your mouth clean with regular rinses of a solution of one teaspoon of baking soda,
¾ teaspoon salt, and one quart water.
What to Avoid:
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Very hot foods and beverages.
Avoid dry, coarse, or scratchy foods such as pretzels, chips, dry toast, granola, popcorn, nuts,
and raw fruits and vegetables.
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Avoid irritating spices such as chili powder, cloves, curry, hot sauces, nutmeg, and pepper.
Stay away from caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and commercial mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
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Tart, salty, acidic fruits and juices, alcohol, and spicy foods may be irritating.
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Pickled and vinegary foods, tomato-based foods, peppermint and spearmint may be irritating.
Recommended
Foods that May Irritate
High Protein
Fish, chicken rice casseroles,
Spicy entrees such as spaghetti,
macaroni and cheese, tuna noodle
tacos, chili; whole meats if not well
casserole, creamed soups,
tolerated
pasteurized eggnog, milk,
Breads, Cereals, Rice, and Pasta
Bread if tolerated, cooked cereals,
cold cereals with milk, pasta and
rice in oil or butter
Hard crackers, hard crust breads,
salted rolls, dry toast
Fruits and Vegetables
Soft, cooked vegetables; canned
fruit
Citrus fruit and raw vegetables
Beverages, Desserts, and
Miscellaneous
Non-acidic juices such as apple
juice and nectars; decaffeinated
coffee, tea, and soft drinks;
pudding, cake, cookies (as
tolerated), pie; jello; ice cream,
sherbet, milkshakes, supplements
Carbonated beverages, citrus
juices, tomato juice, caffeinated
beverages, alcohol, chocolate
desserts, pickles, vinegar, spices,
potato chips, pretzels, popcorn,
snack chips
For more information contact your Dietitian Keri Ryniak, RD, CSO, LDN, CNSD at 443-849-8186
Adapted from Eating Made Easy. Recipes and Tips for the Cancer Survivor. Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center at GBMC and
Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts Chicago, Il:
American Dietetic Association; 2004.
Revised: 1/11/2008