Useful resources > Cancer and nutrition

Cancer and nutrition

Eating and drinking a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight before, during and after cancer treatment can help your body to cope with the treatment better, fight off infections and reduce the risk of chronic health conditions developing such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. 

What is a balanced diet? 

A balanced diet is made up of the five basic food groups – vegetables and fruit, protein, whole grains, milk and dairy, and fats and oils.   

Somebody writing in a book in-front of lots of cooking ingredients.

Join our Nourish & Nurture programme

Nourish & Nurture is Big C’s nutrition and wellness programme for all those diagnosed or living with the effects of cancer and those that care for them. The 5 interactive sessions provide advice on healthy eating, how best to manage treatment side effects with diet, practical skills, and physical activity advice. Supported by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Dieticians and Quadram Institute.  

Somebody baking at a Nutrition and fitness event.

“The resources were great, some great recipes and I loved the journal which is now full up! I also enjoyed the exercises with the physiotherapist.”

helen, nourish & nurture participant

Healthy recipes to try at home

Be inspired by some of the healthy recipes the Quadram Institute has created. Whether you’d like to try the lentil, bean and kale salad or the stuffed mushrooms, there’s plenty to whet your appetite.

A picture of some delicious food made by a Big C volunteer.

Lentil, bean & kale salad

A fresh zingy salad, perfect for a light lunch or to share with friends.

A picture of some delicious food made by a Big C volunteer.

Stuffed mushrooms

Try these mushrooms stuffed with spinach, breadcrumbs, garlic & herbs

Online support

Our Online Support Hub offers a full range of support virtually, ensuring you can still access our services from the comfort of your own home.

Ask the Nurse

Did you attend an appointment and have questions you didn’t want to ask, or not mention something that is bothering you?

FAQs

Browse our Frequently Asked Questions about the support we offer. If you can’t see the answer you’re looking for, just get in touch.

Latest fundraising and event news

Norfolk Business Community Takes to the Dancefloor to Raise over £23k for Local Cancer Charity

The highly anticipated Strictly Big C fundraiser returned for a third year and was once again a spectacular success, raising over £23,000 for Big C.

Read more

Classic Ibiza and Big C reunite at Blickling Estate

Classic Ibiza returns to the stunning grounds of Blickling Estate on Saturday 1 August, and is once again teaming up with Big C.

Read more

Celly and the Big C

Celly and The Big C is an educational video game created in partnership with Big C Cancer Charity and Norwich University of the Arts, with the aim of supporting upper primary school-aged children in understanding cancer treatment.

Read more

Big C and Alive Bring Free Cancer Rehab to King’s Lynn

Big C Cancer Charity is working in partnership with Alive, part of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk to offer free rehabilitation sessions for recovering cancer patients.

Read more

Support

At our centres across the region, we offer support to anyone affected by cancer.

About us

We are a local, people-first charity providing outstanding cancer support.

Research

We fund vital, world-class research to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Let’s keep in touch

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive news and updates from Big C.