Nutrition services at the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

The Colorado Blood Cancer Institute has a team of Registered Dietitians specialized in providing care to you during your cancer care journey. Nutrition plays an important role during your treatment plan and into survivorship. We review your dietary restrictions and your body’s individualized needs to make a nutrition plan that works for you.

The nutrition team has dietitians that cover all of the CBCI inpatient units as well as the CBCI clinic. If you have got any concerns or questions, just ask your doctor or nursing coordinator to speak with a member of our team!

How to boost your nutrition during cancer treatment

Focusing on eating enough and eating well is crucial for maintaining your health during treatment. Working with a dietitian directly is the best way to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional goals, but here are some tips to get you started:

  • Grab and go snacks: Think of foods that require low effort — minimal prep work, shelf stable, easy to grab when you’re in a rush. These will help to supplement your diet when meals feel overwhelming or too difficult.
  • Smoothies and protein shakes: Adding one protein shake a day can be beneficial if you’re struggling to eat during treatment. If you have a blender at home, try different recipes online or ask for the high calorie/protein recipes available from the dietitians at CBCI.
    • If you don’t have a blender, there are many ready-to-drink brands on the market. We have some samples at the CBCI clinic, and lots of coupons if you find a shake you like.
  • Electrolytes: Depending on your treatment, you may want to include more electrolytes in your diet. Magnesium, potassium and calcium are the most affected by treatments. Ask your doctor or dietitian if there are specific recommendations for you.
  • Protein: Your body’s protein requirements are higher when you’re going through cancer treatment. Increasing foods that are high in protein helps your body build and repair tissues and strengthen the immune system.
  • Food safety guidelines: It’s important to follow simple guidelines to prevent food borne illnesses that could affect your recovery. Washing your hands when handling food, cooking all food thoroughly, and storing food properly can all reduce the risk of an infection.

Nutrition and stem cell transplant

A dietitian will talk to you about nutrition before, during and after your transplant. There are specific nutrition interventions we will recommend based on different side effects you can experience. For patients getting an allogeneic stem cell transplant, the dietitian will also help you manage any side effects related to Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GvHD).

If you are a current patient and would like to speak with a dietitian, please ask your nursing coordinator to consult us and we will get in touch.