Providence Swedish Cancer Nutrition Services

Our Approach

Good nutrition is more than eating well — it’s about supporting your strength, resilience, and healing during every phase of your cancer care. At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, our expert oncology dietitians offer personalized nutrition counseling designed to help you feel your best before, during, and after treatment.

Personalized nutrition support

Cancer and its treatments can bring a range of physical changes that affect how and what you eat — including altered taste and smell, nausea, dry mouth, sore throat, and difficulty chewing or swallowing. Our individualized nutrition counseling addresses these challenges head-on.

We help you stay nourished and strong with strategies tailored to your medical needs and food preferences. We also honor cultural food traditions and dietary practices as part of personalized care. This service is included in your care at the institute and does not require a referral.

The Benefits of Nutrition Counseling

Maintaining good nutrition is essential for helping you tolerate cancer treatments and supporting your recovery. Our registered dietitians work with you to:

Make optimal dietary choices based on your specific diagnosis and treatment plan and any food sensitivities you may have
Manage treatment side effects with practical, achievable solutions
Provide ideas for meals, snacks, and grocery shopping
Support healthy weight management
Create a plan that respects your dietary preferences, traditions, and lifestyle

What to Expect

When you meet with one of our registered dietitians, you can expect a thoughtful, whole-person approach to nutrition. We’ll:

Develop a personalized nutrition care plan
Discuss meal and snack ideas tailored to your needs
Provide tips for grocery shopping and preparing food
Offer guidance on getting to or maintaining a healthy weight, muscle strength, and energy during treatment

No referral is needed. Nutrition services are available on-site and by phone consultation: 206-215-6213.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seeing a registered dietitian can help you manage the eating challenges that often come with cancer and its treatments — like changes in taste, nausea, or difficulty maintaining your weight. Our nutrition experts work with you to create a personalized plan that supports your strength, helps you feel better, and improves your ability to tolerate treatment. They can also offer practical advice on meal planning, grocery shopping, and adjusting to food preferences that may change during treatment.

Yes. We can help you create a realistic, achievable plan for meeting your nutritional needs, especially if you're losing weight or struggling to eat enough.

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet during cancer treatment but eating well can help you increase your overall strength and support your recovery. Many people find it helpful to focus on small, balanced meals with plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Our nutritionists can help you find foods that work for your needs, manage side effects like nausea or appetite changes, and support your overall well-being throughout treatment.

After treatment, eating well can support your recovery and help you feel your best. A healthy diet often includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. But everyone’s needs are different — a nutritionist can help you make sustainable changes based on your goals, preferences, and any lasting effects from your treatment.