Ms. Veena V, Chief Clinical Dietician & HOD – Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Aster Whitefield Hospital

As cancer care becomes more personalised, nutrition must follow the same path. Ms. Veena V’s
message is clear: skip the fear-based food rules, nourish the body adequately, and trust evidence
over trends because strength, not restriction, supports recovery.

From cutting out sugar to surviving on raw foods, cancer patients are often bombarded with dietary
advice that promises miracles but delivers confusion. In an exclusive interaction, Ms. Veena V, Chief
Clinical Dietician and Head of the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at Aster Whitefield
Hospital, Bengaluru, cuts through the noise.

Speaking with the clarity of clinical experience and evidence-based science, she explains why
restrictive diets can be dangerous, why weight maintenance matters as much as chemotherapy, and
what nutrition actually does during cancer treatment.

“There is no one food that can either cure cancer or make it grow,” she says. “But maintaining good
nutrition is absolutely critical to help patients tolerate treatment, heal better, and live with
improved quality of life.”

As a journalist who has covered health beats for over two decades, I have seen food myths rise
faster than clinical trials can debunk them. The appeal is understandable, control through diet feels
empowering during illness. But as Ms. Veena V explains, biology does not work in absolutes. Cancer
metabolism is complex, and reducing it to a single nutrient oversimplifies a serious disease.

WEIGHT LOSS IS NOT “NORMAL,” IT IS A WARNING SIGN
One of the most overlooked aspects of cancer care is unintended weight loss. According to Ms.
Veena V, it is not just common, it is clinically significant.

“Many cancer patients experience weight loss or reduced ability to eat, and this can directly impact
treatment response and recovery,” she explains. “That is why nutrition intervention should begin at
the start of treatment, not as an afterthought.”

Research consistently shows that malnutrition can increase treatment toxicity, delay healing, and
reduce survival outcomes. Proactive nutrition planning helps preserve muscle mass, immunity, and
functional strength, factors that determine whether a patient can continue therapy without
interruptions.

THE SUGAR MYTH: WHY CUTTING SWEETS WON’T STARVE CANCER
Few myths are as widespread, or as damaging, as the idea that sugar “feeds” cancer.
“Yes, cancer cells use glucose,” Ms. Veena V clarifies. “But so do all healthy cells in your body.
Avoiding sugar will not cure cancer, nor will eating sugar suddenly make it worse.”

She warns that extreme dietary restriction can be counterproductive.
“Very low-calorie or unbalanced diets, especially under 800 calories, can weaken patients and
complicate their response to treatment.”
What matters, she emphasises, is overall calorie adequacy, stable weight, and metabolic health, not
fear-driven food elimination.

PROTEIN AND CALORIES: THE REAL ALLIES DURING TREATMENT

If there is one nutritional priority during cancer care, it is adequacy.
“Protein and calories are your friends during treatment,” Ms. Veena V says. “They help the body
recover, maintain strength, and tolerate chemotherapy or radiation.”
She notes that many patients struggle to meet needs through food alone due to nausea, taste
changes, or fatigue.

“In such cases, oral nutritional supplements are not a failure, they are a medical necessity.”
In severe cases of cancer-related cachexia, she advocates a multidisciplinary approach.
“Nutrition alone is not enough. A combined strategy involving medication, nutrition therapy, and
appropriate physical activity gives the best outcomes.”
LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
While gimmick diets dominate social media, Ms. Veena V stresses that evidence-based lifestyle
choices still matter.

“A balanced diet rich in plant-based foods, staying physically active within one’s capacity, and
avoiding heavy alcohol intake are sensible, science-backed actions,” she says.
These habits support immune health, cardiovascular function, and long-term survivorship, without
the risks associated with extreme dietary regimens.

Perhaps her most practical advice is also the simplest.
“If you or a loved one is undergoing cancer treatment, ask your oncology team for a referral to a
dietitian,” she advises. “A tailored plan is far better than internet hoaxes.”