The Cancer Dietitian

24/11/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬?

A question I sometimes hear is:
“𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭?”

Should I wait until after chemotherapy?
After radiotherapy?
After surgery?
Until things feel calmer or I’ve got more headspace?

It’s a very reasonable question, and it usually comes from people who are highly motivated and want to do everything they can to support themselves.

If you’ve wondered the same, you are not alone. And there’s an important piece of reassurance here:

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭.

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐲.

This isn’t about doing more.
It’s certainly not about perfection.
And it definitely doesn’t mean overhauling everything overnight.

Good nutrition support starts from where you are - preparing for treatment, in the middle of it, on a low-energy day, or when you’re finding things harder than usual.

Those more difficult moments are often when nutrition support becomes especially valuable.

I’ve written a new blog that explores why early nutrition helps, what the evidence shows, and what people often share after focusing on their nutrition sooner.

If this resonates with you, you might find it helpful.✨
https://www.thecancerdietitian.com/post/when-is-the-best-time-to-focus-on-cancer-nutrition

When is the best time to focus on your nutrition after a cancer diagnosis? Early support can improve treatment tolerance, recovery, and clinical outcomes.

14/11/2025

In my clinics, workshops, and support groups, many people tell me that after a cancer diagnosis, food suddenly feels a lot more complicated - like the everyday choices you used to make without thinking now feel high stakes.

It’s a completely understandable place to be, and I see how challenging it can feel when food starts to carry so much weight and uncertainty - especially when you’ve already got more than enough to contend with.

My new blog is written to offer clarity, calm, and practical support, so you can feel more confident about nourishing yourself again, without second-guessing every choice.

If you or someone you care about is navigating food fear and trying to make sense of what to eat after a cancer diagnosis, I hope this brings a little reassurance.

Read the full blog here:
👉 Rebuilding Trust with Food After a Cancer Diagnosis
https://www.thecancerdietitian.com/post/rebuilding-trust-with-food-after-a-cancer-diagnosis

When cancer shakes your foundations, even familiar food choices can start to feel uncertain. This blog looks at how people find their footing again, and what can help that feel more grounded and possible.

10/11/2025

I wanted to share a petition created by Chris Curtis, CEO at The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group, a charity I support and deeply respect. It calls for free dental care for those who have been treated for head and neck cancer.

Head and neck treatment can have a profound impact on the way we live our lives. These are not small things. It can affect eating, drinking, speaking, dignity, confidence, quality of life, and so much more. 🥰

Without a doubt, it makes dental care more essential and more complex afterwards.

I know the NHS is under huge pressure. I also see the impact this has every day in the people I support. I know how important this is, and I know how much it matters.

You can read the petition or add your name here:

We want the Government to fund free dental care for head and neck cancer patients both during and after treatment to address the significant oral health challenges that survivors may face, and to improve their overall quality of life.

06/11/2025

I’m really looking forward to hosting an online 𝐍𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 session this Monday evening with Future Dreams for those living with 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿.

It’s a relaxed, informal hour to bring your real, everyday questions about nutrition - the things you’ve heard about, read about, been told about, or quietly worried about - as well as the practical challenges that come up when you’re managing side effects, changes in appetite or energy, or just trying to make food feel doable day-to-day.🍴

We’ll talk things through together in a way that feels supportive and practical.
No question is a silly question here.

☕️Put the kettle on and come exactly as you are - tired, curious, uncertain, hopeful, or wanting to feel a bit less on your own with it all.

Tracksuit, pyjamas, camera on or off… all completely fine.

Monday 10th November
7-8pm (online)

Book your place here:
👉 https://momence.com/l/rqh6JmBk

Future Dreams provide such needed support to those affected by breast cancer.
You can find out more about their work here:
https://futuredreams.org.uk/what-we-do/

If someone you know might benefit from this space, please feel welcome to share.

07/10/2025

𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 💗
One of the common questions I’m asked in my clinics and cancer nutrition workshops is:
“What can I do to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back?”

It often comes from wanting to take positive, practical steps for your health - and it can also put you in a vulnerable space once you start looking for answers. There’s so much information online that it’s easy to get lost in a sea of mixed messages and feel unsure what’s actually worth paying attention to.

That’s why it’s reassuring that the latest research continues to point to the same key things - the areas truly worth focusing your energy on.🙏🏼

And even better, these are the same habits that support heart health, metabolic health, and long term health.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁:
⚖️Keeping to a healthy weight
🚶🏻‍♀️‍➡️Staying active (even gentle, regular movement adds up!)
🥦 Eating plenty of fibre-rich foods
🐟Choosing nourishing fats such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and oily fish
🍷 If you choose to drink alcohol, keeping it low
🫛 Feeling confident that whole soy foods (like tofu, tempeh, and edamame beans) are safe if you want to include them
😎 Ensuring your vitamin D level is in the healthy range

There’s nothing extreme or new here - just solid evidence that every day, balanced choices can make a meaningful difference.

If you’d like to read more, I’ve reviewed and updated my original 2022 blog to reflect the latest research. It’s reassuring to see that the evidence behind these steps is now even stronger.
👉 https://www.thecancerdietitian.com/post/reducing-risk-of-breast-cancer-recurrence

If you’ve been wondering how to make these ideas work for you, that’s exactly what I help people with through my one-to-one Nutrition Support Programmes - turning evidence into everyday meals and routines that feel realistic, nourishing, and right for you.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. 🥰

Evidence-based breast cancer diet and lifestyle guidance from Meredy Birdi, The Cancer Dietitian, supporting health, recovery, and wellbeing after treatment.

18/09/2025

📣 New blog: Diet During Chemotherapy - Nutrition Tips That Help 🙏🏼
Sometimes people ask me: “Is it better to wait until chemotherapy is over before working on my diet?”

My answer is always the same: no, please don’t wait! Good nutrition can support you from the very beginning and right alongside treatment - helping you prepare, cope better with side effects, bolster your immune system, and so much more! 🙏🏼

If you’ve ever asked “what should I eat during treatment?” you may have been told to “just eat healthily.”

That advice is always so well intended, but it can’t possibly (and it isn’t meant to) cover all the nuances of nutrition in cancer care. At a time when eating feels unpredictable, your favourite foods taste different, or you’re simply too tired to cook, it can feel impossible to know where to start.

This blog shares some practical tips, realistic ideas, and reassurance for anyone navigating food during chemotherapy.
My approach is always about making food feel nourishing and supportive, never another source of stress. 🥰

📚 If this feels like something you or someone close to you would find helpful, you can find the blog here: https://www.thecancerdietitian.com/post/diet-during-chemotherapy-nutrition-tips-that-help

Eating during chemotherapy can feel unpredictable - some days food is manageable, and on others, even favourite meals taste different or feel too much. Good nutrition isn’t about chasing a perfect diet, but about finding realistic, nourishing ways to support yourself physically and emotionally. In...

02/09/2025

📣 New blog: What “Cancer-Fighting Foods” Really Mean During Cancer 🌿

If you’ve looked up 'food and cancer,' you’ve probably come across terms like “cancer-fighting foods” and “superfoods.” There’s so much information out there, and it can be hard to know what to trust. 😩

In this blog, I share a simple, evidence-informed look at what the research really says about foods often called “cancer-fighting,” and how you can use that knowledge in a way that fits your life - whether you’re in treatment, adjusting after treatment, or focusing on your longer-term health.🥰

It’s full of practical, realistic ideas for bringing more balance, variety, and nourishment to your meals - without pressure, perfection, or the need for expensive, hard-to-find foods.🙏🏼

I hope you find it both supportive and reassuring.

https://www.thecancerdietitian.com/post/what-cancer-fighting-foods-really-mean-during-cancer

Discover what “cancer-fighting foods” really mean, why variety matters, and how a plant-forward approach can support you during and after cancer.

01/07/2025

🥰 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆… 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅 📥

Each week I’ll be sharing a short email with realistic tips, gentle encouragement, and ways to feel more confident about food and nutrition - whether you’re going through treatment, rebuilding your strength afterwards, or supporting someone close to you.

As it’s summer, we’re starting with hydration – a seemingly simple thing that can make a massive difference to how you're feeling day to day.⚡️

No overwhelm. No rigid rules. Just helpful support you can actually use.

✨ If this sounds helpful, you can sign up by clicking the 'subscribe' button here: https://www.thecancerdietitian.com/blog

It would be lovely to have you with us.❤️

With very best wishes,
Meredy

27/06/2025

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending a forum hosted by the World Cancer Research Fund and the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration. The focus was on how we can embed diet and physical activity as an essential part of cancer care – before, during, and after cancer treatment.🙏🏼

I had planned to take lots of photos, but I got swept up in the energy of the event, reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones. I managed a few!

It was such a positive afternoon, bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and health champions who are all dedicated to making sure these essential elements are at the heart of cancer care. The expert panel shared many insightful ideas that will stay with me. 🌟

As an oncology dietitian, my greatest joy is supporting people through cancer treatment. 🥰 Every day, I see how small changes in diet and physical activity can have a big impact on health and wellbeing. While my focus is on supporting people living with cancer, I also champion the role of diet and physical activity in cancer prevention - helping reduce the risk of cancer, recurrence, and new cancers.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussions:

💊 If physical activity were a drug, it would be FDA-approved - and every patient would be prescribed it.
❤️ Prof Sam Ahmedzai spoke about cancer survivorship and introduced the idea of ‘thrivorship’ – I LOVE this concept!
😬 Many healthcare professionals still feel uncomfortable discussing nutrition and physical activity with patients – perhaps due to lack of confidence, lack of training, or not knowing which trustworthy resources to refer to.
👏🏼 It should never be assumed that proactive nutrition and lifestyle advice might be too much for patients to manage. Most people I work with are eager to learn what they can do to support their health and wellbeing. We know that lifestyle changes don’t just improve physical health – they can also have a significant impact on clinical outcomes, which is huge! It’s not just about feeling better; it’s about improving health outcomes in every way, including emotional wellbeing and quality of life.
👬 Community can be such a powerful tool in embedding movement in our daily lives.
🥰 We need better supportive care that includes nutrition, exercise, and emotional support.

It was such a positive and uplifting meeting. I’m committed to doing whatever I can to help move this forward. 🙏🏼

17/04/2025

🌼 Wishing you a lovely Easter weekend 🌼
However you are spending the next few days - whether it’s catching up with family, enjoying a quiet moment, or simply pressing pause - we hope you find a little joy in it.

A walk in the spring air, a favourite meal, or staying cosy at home - any of these can be just right.🥰

With warmest wishes,
Meredy & The Cancer Dietitian team

14/04/2025

💬 “I want to eat well, but I just don’t have the energy.”
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.🥰 Many of the people I support during cancer treatment feel the same - especially when fatigue makes even the smallest task feel like a mountain to climb.

Eating well doesn’t have to mean cooking from scratch or following perfect plans.

If food feels like a struggle right now, this new blog shares gentle, realistic ideas that might help - even on the most wiped-out days.🙏🏼

📖 Cancer Nutrition Tips When You’re Too Tired to Cook

I hope the tips offer some support and make things feel a little more manageable. 🥰

Feeling too tired to cook during cancer treatment? Discover simple, nourishing food ideas and gentle strategies to support your nutrition and energy.