Contact PearlPoint Cancer Support today by phone or email:
(877) 467-1936 X 101 or guidance@pearlpoint.org
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Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and several cancer medications can cause mouth
sores, ulcers, and tender gums. All can cause your mouth, throat, and tongue to feel
sore, raw, or dry and may lead to dehydration, poor eating, and weight loss. The
following tips and recommendations may help you to better manage your sore mouth,
throat, and tongue.
Choose soft, bland foods.
o Softer foods will be easier to chew and swallow.
o Soups and stews are good options, as long as meats are soft and tender.
o Try breakfast foods like instant oatmeal, grits, pancakes, waffles, and cold
cereal that has been softened in milk.
o Pick side dishes like cottage or ricotta cheese, macaroni and cheese, mashed
white or sweet potatoes, and rice or risotto.
o Try desserts like custard, tapioca pudding, ice cream, milkshakes, and
sherbet.
o Choose snacks like applesauce, gelatin, smoothies, and yogurt.
Prepare foods in ways that make them easier to eat.
o Cut foods into small pieces. You may consider using a blender or food
processor to puree foods.
o Cook foods until they are soft and tender.
o Serve foods with gravy, broths, or sauces.
o Choose soft or canned fruits or applesauce instead of raw fruits with tough
skins.
Avoid foods and drinks that make mouth sores worse.
o Avoid citrus fruits and juices, salty or spicy foods, and acidic foods like
tomatoes.
o Do not drink carbonated or caffeinated drinks.
o Refrain from having beer, wine, liquor, or any other type of alcohol.
Avoid very hot foods.
o Hot foods can cause mouth and throat discomfort.
Nutrition Tips for Managing Sore Mouth,
Throat, and Tongue
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o Choose room temperature or cold foods that are soothing.
o Allow soups and hot foods to cool to room temperature before serving.
o Try freezing fruits, and suck on frozen fruit pops, fruit ices, or ice chips.
Choose foods that are good sources of protein to combat weight loss.
o Aim to have a good source of protein with meals and snacks.
o Ground meats, eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, custard, beans, lentils, and
smoothies are good soft food choices that also provide protein.
o Eat small, frequent meals. You may find it easier to eat smaller amounts at a
time.
Drink at least 8-10 eight-ounce glasses of water each day.
o Drink liquids with your meals as this will make it easier to swallow foods.
o Sip cool drinks in between your meals.
o Drink with a straw. This can help push the foods past the painful sores in your
mouth.
o Avoid caffeinated or/and carbonated beverages.
o Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can irritate the mouth.
Use good mouth care.
o Rinse your mouth several times a day. Mix one quart water and one
tablespoon baking soda to make a rinse that removes food and promotes
healing.
o Do not use a mouthwash that has alcohol. Alcohol makes a sore mouth
worse.
o Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
o Remove dentures (except during eating) if your gums are sore. Keep
dentures clean.
o Avoid cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products.
o Ask your doctor about special mouthwashes and sprays that can numb the
mouth and throat.
o Tell your doctor if your gums are bleeding or if you have white patches in your
mouth. Both can be signs of infection.
Contact PearlPoint Cancer Support today by phone or email:
(877) 467-1936 X 101 or guidance@pearlpoint.org
Create a profile at my.pearlpoint.org.
What food should I eat when my mouth, throat, or tongue is sore?*
High Proteins
Soft, bland, ground or pureed meats, poultry, and fish
o Hamburger
o Chicken salad
o Tuna salad
Casseroles
o Chicken and rice
o Macaroni and cheese
o Tuna noodle casserole
o Egg, cheese, and bean dishes. Hard boiled or scrambled eggs.
o Mashed beans with cheese
Dairy Products
o Milk
o Yogurt (Plain or vanilla)
o Custard
o Milkshakes
Creamed soups and stews
Peanut butter, creamy
Liquid nutrition supplements
Breads, Cereals, Rice, and Pasta
Soft, moistened breads
Cooked cereals
o Instant oatmeal
o Instant grits
o Creamed wheat
o Creamed rice
Cold cereals soaked in milk
Pasta and rice in sauce
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(877) 467-1936 X 101 or guidance@pearlpoint.org
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Fruits and Vegetables
Soft, cooked or pureed fruits
o Bananas
o Applesauce
o Watermelon
o Canned fruits
o Baby food
Soft or cooked vegetables
o Pureed or mashed vegetables
o Mashed potatoes
o Soups and stews
Drinks, Desserts, and Other Foods
Non-acidic juices and fruit nectars
o Apple juice
o Pear nectar
Decaffeinated coffee and tea
Plain or vanilla pudding
Cake, cookies and pie soaked in milk
Gelatin
Butter, vegetable oils, cream cheese, and sour cream
Ice cream, sherbet
Popsicles
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact
Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic
Association; 2004.
Contact PearlPoint Cancer Support today by phone or email:
(877) 467-1936 X 101 or guidance@pearlpoint.org
Create a profile at my.pearlpoint.org.
What foods should I avoid when my mouth, throat, or tongue is sore?*
High Proteins
Spicy foods
o Spaghetti
o Tacos
o Curry dishes
o Chili
Tough, dry meats, poultry, or fish
Dry meats
Breads, cereals, rice and pasta
Dry/tough breads
o Dry crackers
o Crusty breads/rolls
o English muffins
o Bagels
Salted breads
Fruits and Vegetables
Citrus or acidic fruit
o Oranges
o Lemons
o Limes
o Pineapple
Raw vegetables or fruits with tough skins
Pickled fruits and vegetables
Tomato products
o Raw or cooked tomatoes
o Ketchup
o Marinara sauce
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(877) 467-1936 X 101 or guidance@pearlpoint.org
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o Tomato juice
Drinks, desserts, and other foods
Citrus juices
o Grapefruit
o Orange
o Lemon and lime
Tomato juice
Caffeinated drinks
Carbonated drinks
Alcohol
Chocolate desserts
Pickles
Crunchy/sharp foods
o Potato chips
o Pretzels
o Popcorn
o Chips
Vinegar
Spicy condiments
o Pepper
o Pepper sauces
o Chili powder
o Cloves and nutmeg
o Horseradish
o Salsa
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact
Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic
Association; 2004.
