Patients undergoing which type of therapy are often advised to eat a bland diet?

Patients undergoing radiation therapy, especially those receiving treatment to the abdominal or pelvic area, are often advised to eat a bland diet. This recommendation is rooted in the common side effects associated with radiation treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and general gastrointestinal discomfort. A bland diet, which typically includes foods that are easy to digest and low in fiber, can help minimize these symptoms and prevent further irritation of the digestive system. Such foods may include rice, bananas, applesauce, and toast, commonly referred to as the BRAT diet, which helps to manage gastrointestinal distress.

While chemotherapy can also lead to nausea and gastrointestinal upset, the recommendation for a bland diet is particularly emphasized during radiation therapy due to its targeted effects on the gastrointestinal tract in some cases. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy may have side effects, but they do not generally necessitate a bland diet to the same extent as radiation therapy does for patients experiencing radiation-related gastrointestinal symptoms.