Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Oncology Nutrition

Appointment New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8300

Nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment. Choosing the right kinds of foods to nourish the body can help patients stay stronger and feel better throughout their treatment.

Cancer itself, as well as its treatments, can affect the appetite. It can also change the body’s ability to tolerate certain foods and use certain nutrients. The dietitians at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center can assist patients in making informed choices about nutrition.

When to Contact a Cancer Dietitian

Patients can contact a cancer dietitian at any time, and don’t need to wait until their doctor refers them. As part of their support care team, we’re here to help before, during, and after cancer treatment.  Our registered dietitians can answer nutrition-related questions as well as provide one-on-one consultations. 

Our dietitians can help patients:

  • Minimize side effects from treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal medications, transplants, and surgery
  • Enhance quality of life during treatment
  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
  • Prevent or correct nutritional deficiencies
  • Incorporate healthy nutrition habits
  • Provide guidance on alternative nutritional therapies
  • Educate family members about patients’ special nutrition needs
  • Provide survivorship education to reduce risk of recurrence

Cancer Dietitians at UT Southwestern

Side Effect Management

Download these resources to help with side effects from cancer treatment.

Nutrition Guidelines

Download these resources for general nutrition guidance.

Nutrition Video Resources

Healthy Eating for Cancer Survivorship

Join us via Zoom for a virtual class on healthy eating that meets every Tuesday for four weeks. Improve your diet and learn how healthy eating can be stress-free and facilitate weight management. Topics include reducing cancer recurrence and cancer risk with diet, portion control and label reading, plant-based meals, dining out, meal planning, a grocery store tour, nutrition facts versus fiction, and so much more. You can also view our side effect management resources and nutrition guidelines anytime.

Who: Patients. The class has an emphasis on long-term survivorship and weight maintenance.

When: Tuesdays, starting February 13, 2024, from Noon – 1:15 p.m.

Where: These classes are held virtually over Zoom. Registration is required.

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources to help with nutrition decisions.

Nutrition for people with cancer

Nutrition trends in cancer

Foods that fight cancer

For more information, please contact Alex Huffman, LCSW, at 214-645-2742 or scccsupport@utsouthwestern.edu.

Oncology Dietitians