How I Nurtured My Body and Supported My Healing During Chemotherapy
When I began chemotherapy, I knew I couldn’t control everything that was happening to my body — but I could control how I nourished it. Choosing to eat intentionally became one of the ways I showed myself love and care during my breast cancer journey.
Going completely vegan was the first step. I focused on foods that were gentle, healing, and easy to digest — fresh vegetables, fruits, plant-based proteins, herbal teas, and plenty of water. My goal was simple: to give my body the best chance to recover and to help it cope with the side effects of treatment.
🌱 Juicing: My Daily Ritual of Renewal
Juicing quickly became a ritual of self-care. On good days, I loved preparing the juices myself — watching the bright colors swirl together felt symbolic of life and hope. On low-energy days, my husband or family members would take over, keeping the routine alive.
Juicing gave me energy, helped me bounce back after each chemotherapy session, and became something I actually looked forward to. It made me feel in control of at least one part of my healing.
🍹 My Go-To Anticancer Juice Formula
(Inspired by Chris Wark’s “Basic Anticancer Juice Formula” from ChrisBeatCancer.com)
• 5 carrots 🥕
• 5 celery stalks 🌿
• ¼ of a beet (root and greens) 🍠
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root 🧡
• Optional additions: 1 Granny Smith apple 🍏 and a small piece of turmeric root ✨
This combination tastes bright and earthy, providing a natural burst of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Ginger and turmeric are both known for their anti-inflammatory properties, while beets and carrots help support liver detoxification — something your body works overtime on during treatment.
(You can download my printable recipe card — perfect for your fridge — by subscribing to the Courage In Pink newsletter!)
🍵 Teas That Became My Companions
I started drinking matcha tea in the mornings — it gave me gentle energy and focus, like a warm cup of coffee without the crash. Throughout the day, I rotated between chamomile, nettle, ginger, and chaga tea.
- Ginger tea was my go-to for nausea.
- Chamomile helped me relax and improved my sleep.
- Nettle was wonderful for digestion and mineral support.
- Chaga, which has been studied for its immune-supportive properties and has a long history of use in Russia, became a soothing daily ritual.
💊 Supplements and Vitamins
With guidance and research — and the encouragement of a dear friend also on her healing journey — I added several supplements to support my immune system:
- Vitamin C and Vitamin D for immune function
- Vitamin K for absorption and bone health
- Vegan protein shakes to help me regain strength and maintain weight during chemo
These gave me the reassuring sense that I was doing everything possible to help my body heal and stay strong.
🍫 When Food Tastes Different
One of the unexpected challenges of chemotherapy was the change in taste. Many foods suddenly had a strange metallic flavor. Chocolate, which I used to love, made me feel nauseous — even the smallest bite. Instead of fighting it, I learned to listen to my body and focus on the foods that made me feel good.
🌻 Gentle Encouragement
If you’re going through treatment right now, remember this: food can be both comfort and medicine. You don’t have to make drastic changes overnight — even small, intentional choices can make a big difference in how you feel physically and emotionally.
Nourishing yourself isn’t just about nutrition — it’s an act of self-love.
💌 Have you found a food or ritual that helped you through treatment? I’d love to hear your story — share it in the comments or message me directly.
Courageously yours,
Aurora
Because courage sometimes just means accepting that today you just need to focus on yourself — and that’s okay. 💗