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Oncology Nutrition Services in New Jersey

Individuals with cancer have special nutritional needs because cancer and cancer treatment can cause conditions and symptoms that increase the risk of malnutrition, or make it difficult to eat and maintain a healthy weight.

Our registered dietitians at John Theurer Cancer Center specialize in cancer care and understand the role nutrition plays before, during and after treatment. We offer personalized nutrition services specific to your cancer diagnosis and symptoms, with a focus on your food preferences and nutrition goals.

Contact Us

Contact Nutrition Services by asking for a referral from your navigator, or doctor, or by calling 551-996-5073.

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833-CANCER-MD

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Our Oncology Nutrition Services

Nutrition services are available free of charge to all patients treated at each of our cancer centers. If you are a patient at John Theurer Cancer Center and have questions about diet, nutrition or hydration, please consult your Patient Handbook for nutrition service contact information, or ask your nurse navigator or a member of your care team for a referral.

Personalized Nutrition Counseling

A session with one of our registered dietitians will focus on your individual needs and may include:

Assessing your nutritional needs unique to your type of cancer and treatment
Medical Nutrition Therapy, including management of patients with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension or hyperlipidemia
Educating you and your caregivers on cancer nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits
Nutritional support using parenteral (IV) feeding and enteral (tube feeding) methods
Assistance with managing treatment related side effects

Experts in Cancer Nutrition

While medical science continues to explore the relationship between food and cancer, studies have shown that certain foods and nutrients provide resources your body needs to fight cancer by:

Supporting the immune system to fight infections
Promoting healthy body tissue growth
Supporting healthy gut microbiome
Reducing inflammation and damage of healthy tissue
Fueling your body and reducing fatigue

Our registered dietitians have access to the latest research and can answer any questions about:

Special dietary patterns, such as plant-based and weight management.
Recommendations for safe and effective physical activity
Gut health: pre and probiotics
Dietary supplements, including vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and herbal/natural products

Classes & Demonstration Kitchen

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is home to a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen, where individuals with cancer and caregivers learn firsthand how to prepare healthy foods.

Cooking Studio events are held the first, second and last Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. and are open to the public. “The Cutting Edge Kitchen” event covers hot topics in oncology nutrition research and food.

If you can’t make it in-person, we also offer a virtual class on nutrition, physical activity and emotional wellness guidelines for survivorship called "Moving Forward".

Your Nutrition Team

We are proud to have one of the largest cancer nutrition services teams in the state. Our nutrition experts at John Theurer Cancer Center have specialized training in cancer care and are here to support you wherever you are in your cancer journey.

Patient Resources

A senior woman with cancer stands at her kitchen counter as she works to prepare an assortment of fruits and vegetables. She is dressed casually in a sweater and wearing a headscarf as she looks over the produce and makes an effort to maintain a healthy diet during her Chemotherapy

6 Nutrition Tips For People with Cancer

6 Nutrition Tips for Cancer Patients. Dr. Patel offers expert advice for healthy eating. Improve your diet & well-being. Call 800-822-8905.

Overhead view of a large group of healthy foods like blueberries, broccoli, whole grains and nuts.

Foods to Reduce Cancer Risk

Reduce your cancer risk. Learn which foods to eat and avoid. Expert advice from Drs. Patel & Leopold and RDN McKenzie. Schedule an appointment today.

Is a Plant-based Diet Right for You?

Explore plant-based diets. Learn benefits like boosted immunity and reduced inflammation. Discover if this eating style suits you.

Man holding decorative model intestine, looking at colon health.

Is Gut Health Linked to Colon Cancer?

Gut health and colon cancer: Learn how your microbiome impacts colon cancer risk and how to improve gut health with simple dietary changes. Call 800-822-8905.

Recipes

a pasta dish with garden vegetables and pesto

Recipe: Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes and Pesto

Reduce your prostate cancer risk with this delicious pasta recipe from John Theurer Cancer Center. Enjoy a healthy, plant-based meal. Learn more!

Close up view of apples ready to be prepped for applesauce recipe.

Recipe: Applesauce

Make delicious applesauce! John Theurer Cancer Center's oncology dietitians share this simple recipe. Improve your nutrition today.

Recipe: Mushroom Bulgar Pilaf

Enjoy this healthy Mushroom Bulgar Pilaf recipe from John Theurer Cancer Center. Support your wellness journey with this easy, plant-based meal.

Close up shot of a bowl of cooked red cabbage for a salad.

Recipe: Red Cabbage, Apples and Cranberry Salad

Enjoy this healthy Red Cabbage, Apple & Cranberry Salad recipe from John Theurer Cancer Center. Learn how healthy eating supports wellness. Get the recipe now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are nutrition services important for cancer patients?

How can I get an appointment with a dietitian, and is there a cost?

What kind of support is offered besides one-on-one counseling?

In addition to personalized counseling, the center offers educational classes and events. The John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center has a demonstration kitchen that hosts "The Cutting Edge Kitchen" events to teach healthy food preparation. For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual class called "Moving Forward" is also available, covering nutrition, physical activity, and emotional wellness.