Fueling Resilience: Nutrition for Strength & Recovery from Cancer Treatment
At Northern Nutrition Group, we believe that every body is worthy of nourishment, strength, and care. Resilience is more than “bouncing back” from treatment, it’s the ongoing ability to recover, adapt, and keep moving forward in your cancer journey, even in the face of challenges. Nutrition can play a powerful role in this process, helping us rebuild strength, manage fatigue, and support our body’s natural healing systems.
Whether you’re navigating recovery, rebuilding after treatment, or simply working to feel stronger in daily life, fueling resilience is about adding nourishment, not restriction. Here are some simple, practical ways to support your body with food.
Rebuilding Strength with Nutrition
Protein is essential for repairing muscle, supporting strength and aiding recovery. That doesn’t mean it needs to be complicated or restrictive. Incorporating a variety of protein sources can help:
Chicken, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt
Beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh
Nut butters, hummus, cheese
Quick tip: Pair protein with a carbohydrate for a balanced snack. Try apple slices with peanut butter, crackers with hummus, or a cheese stick with grapes.
Supporting Bone Health
Strong bones are the foundation of strength and resilience, especially during times of healing. Key nutrients include:
Calcium and Vitamin D - found in milk, fortified plant milks, leafy greens, salmon and beans.
Magnesium, Vitamin K, and Protein - found in beans, nuts and fruits and vegetables.
Quick tip: Adding a mix of these nutrients throughout the week helps keep bones supported without needing to overthink every meal.
Managing Fatigue and Energy Balance
One of the biggest challenges during recovery is fatigue. Nourishing yourself with a balanced and consistent intake can help support steady energy. Try to aim to eat every 3-4 hours during the day and ensure you meals consist of:
Protein - for muscle repair and sustained fullness
Colorful produce - for vitamin, antioxidants, and fiber
Whole grains - for steady energy
Healthy fats - for satiety, flavor and nutrient absorption
Quick tip: Eating every 3-4 hours and aiming for variety can make a noticeable difference in your energy levels.
Resilience is not about perfection, its about consistent care. Every bite you take is a step towards strength, energy and healing. By focusing on protein, variety and enjoyment, your’re giving your body what it needs to keep showing up every day.
Written by Jessy Griffel, RD, LN, CNSC
Jessy specializes in: Oncology - supporting individuals through cancer treatment, remission, malnutrition, food aversions, focused nutrition care and enteral nutrition support therapy (tube feeding support) and preventive strategies. Athletes/outdoor enthusiast, plant-based (vegetarian/vegan) diets, nutritional deficiencies and abnormal lab values, and weight concerns.