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6 tips for healthy eating with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Healthy eating and boosting your calorie intake can help support your treatment.

Updated on April 4, 2024

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When you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)—a type of blood cancer that starts from cells in the bone marrow and affects white blood cells that are part of the immune system—your food choices may help improve your body's own defenses and support your treatment. It may help to focus on two key areas: eating enough and eating safely.

Eating enough can become aShow More

mini hamburger sliders with salad
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Eat small but often

When you’re having treatment for CLL or feeling unwell, getting enough calories can be difficult. But it’s vital to maintain your calorie intake as much as you can. It can help keep your energy levels up and avoid losing too much weight. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and high-calorieShow More

woman washing fruit in sink water
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Handle raw foods with care

Raw fruits and vegetables require thorough washing. Other foods to be careful about include raw honey, shellfish, raw fish (as in sushi, sashimi, or ceviche), uncooked tofu, and raw vegetable sprouts or alfalfa. These types of foods may contain germs that can be dangerous for people with cancer orShow More

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Boost calories with add-ons

You can get extra calories into your daily diet by mixing protein powders or supplements into yogurt, shakes or smoothies. For recipes that include milk, try substituting whole milk or half-and-half. Having a milkshake between meals can also increase your calories, as can adding butter, cheese orShow More

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Cook eggs completely for safety

Packed with nutrition, eggs can be a great way to add fat, protein and calories to your day. But they also can be carriers of Salmonella, a type of bacteria that affects the digestive tract and can cause significant illness. To decrease the chances of catching Salmonella, so be sure to cookShow More

woman pouring a glass of clean water
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Manage liquids carefully

Drinking a lot of fluids before eating can fill you up quickly, so it’s a good idea to limit your liquid intake before meals. 

But don’t restrict your overall fluid intake between meals, however. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses ofShow More

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Choose only pasteurized dairy foods

As with eggs, soft cheeses and unpasteurized dairy products may carry bacteria that can cause illness. Check for the word “pasteurized” on all dairy products and avoid blue-veined soft cheeses, such as blue cheese and Stilton, and Latin American-style soft cheeses, such as queso blanco or quesoShow More

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