Cancer and Malnutrition in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Malnutrition is common in people undergoing cancer treatment, and it’s a serious but often overlooked problem. In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, cold winters, treatment-related side effects, and changes in appetite can all make it harder to eat well and maintain a healthy weight during cancer care.

This guide explains how cancer and malnutrition are connected, what to watch for, and where to get help in the Grand Rapids area.

What Is Malnutrition?

Malnutrition occurs when your body does not get enough energy (calories), protein, or essential nutrients, or when it cannot properly digest or absorb what you eat.

For people with cancer, the most common type of malnutrition is under-nutrition. This happens when your body:

  • Gets fewer calories than it needs
  • Gets less protein and nutrients than it needs
  • Breaks down its own fat and muscle to meet energy demands

Under-nutrition can lead to unplanned weight loss, muscle loss, weakness, and a higher risk of complications.

A study of Michiganders with cancer found that about one in three people undergoing cancer treatment have malnutrition. That means malnutrition is a very real concern for patients in Grand Rapids receiving care at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and other local cancer centers.

Why Malnutrition Matters During Cancer Treatment

If you have cancer, malnutrition can:

  • Reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery
  • Slow your recovery from treatment or surgery
  • Increase the time you spend in the hospital
  • Raise your risk of infection
  • Lower your strength, energy, and ability to stay active
  • Decrease your overall quality of life
  • Potentially reduce your life expectancy

Maintaining good nutrition before, during, and after cancer treatment is an important part of your care plan—just like medications, surgery, or radiation.

Causes of Malnutrition in Cancer Patients

People with cancer in Grand Rapids may face several challenges that make it hard to eat enough or absorb nutrients properly.

The type and location of your cancer can affect how well you can eat and digest food. For example:

  • Head and neck cancers can cause pain, difficulty chewing, or swallowing
  • Esophageal cancer can make swallowing difficult or painful
  • Lung cancer can cause fatigue and shortness of breath, making eating more tiring
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers (stomach, pancreas, intestines) can affect digestion and nutrient absorption

Treatment Side Effects

Common cancer treatments offered in Grand Rapids—such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation—can increase your body’s energy and protein needs and cause side effects like:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Mouth sores, dry mouth, or painful swallowing
  • Changes in taste and smell
  • Feeling full quickly
  • Fatigue and low energy

These side effects can make it difficult to eat enough, and the food you do eat may not be absorbed as well.

Hospital Stays

Being in the hospital for surgery or treatment at facilities such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids can temporarily reduce your appetite and limit what and when you can eat.

Emotional and Mental Health

Living with a cancer diagnosis is stressful. Many people in Kent County experience:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Worry about treatment and finances

These emotional challenges can directly affect appetite and eating patterns.

Seasonal and Local Factors in Michigan

In West Michigan, long, cold winters and shorter daylight hours can:

  • Reduce physical activity
  • Lower appetite or change eating habits
  • Make it harder to shop for fresh foods or get to appointments

All of these can contribute to poor nutrition during cancer care.

Symptoms of Malnutrition in Cancer

Malnutrition is not always obvious, and it can occur even if you are overweight or appear to be eating “enough.” Signs and symptoms to watch for include:

  • Unplanned weight loss – even a small loss of 3–4 kg (6–9 lbs) can be a concern
  • Poor appetite – eating less than usual or skipping meals and snacks
  • Feeling full quickly – unable to finish normal portions
  • Fatigue and weakness – not being able to walk as far or as fast as usual
  • Loss of muscle – clothes feeling looser, weaker grip, difficulty climbing stairs
  • Changes in taste or smell – food tasting metallic, bitter, or “off”
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing – pain, dry mouth, or feeling like food is getting stuck
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation – which can limit intake and nutrient absorption

If you notice any of these symptoms during your cancer treatment in Grand Rapids, tell your oncologist, oncology nurse, or dietitian right away.

Early Identification of Malnutrition Risk

Early detection is key. People with cancer should be screened regularly for malnutrition risk, especially during active treatment.

Screening Tools

Healthcare providers at Grand Rapids cancer centers may use simple screening tools that look at:

  • Recent unintentional weight loss
  • Reduced appetite or food intake
  • Changes in how clothes fit
  • Fatigue and functional decline

If screening shows you are at risk, you should be referred to a registered dietitian, ideally one with oncology experience.

Diagnosis of Malnutrition in Cancer

A dietitian—often available through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or the Kent County Health Department—can complete a full nutrition assessment. This may include:

  • Medical history – type of cancer, treatments, other health conditions
  • Diet history – what and how much you are eating and drinking
  • Weight history – recent changes in weight and body size
  • Physical assessment – evaluating muscle and fat stores, signs of nutrient deficiencies
  • Lab tests – blood work to check for anemia, inflammation, or other nutrition-related issues

Based on this assessment, the dietitian can determine whether you are malnourished or at high risk and create a personalized nutrition care plan.

Treatment of Malnutrition in Cancer Patients

The main goals of nutrition care during cancer treatment are to:

  • Maintain or prevent further loss of weight and muscle
  • Improve strength and energy
  • Support your immune system and healing
  • Enhance your tolerance of cancer treatments

Increasing Energy and Protein Intake

Your dietitian may recommend:

  • Eating smaller, more frequent meals – for example, 5–6 small meals or snacks per day
  • Choosing high-energy, high-protein foods, such as:
    • Full-cream (whole) milk and yogurt
    • Cheese, nut butters, and hummus
    • Eggs and soft meats or fish (if tolerated)
    • Beans, lentils, and tofu
    • Smoothies with added milk powder, yogurt, or nut butter
  • Adding extra calories and protein to foods, such as:
    • Adding cheese to soups, eggs, and casseroles
    • Using healthy oils, butter, cream, or avocado to enrich meals
    • Stirring milk powder into milk, mashed potatoes, or oatmeal

Nourishing Drinks and Supplements

High-calorie, high-protein drinks can be very helpful when eating is difficult. Your dietitian or oncology team in Grand Rapids may suggest:

  • Nutritional supplement drinks (commercial products)
  • Homemade smoothies or milkshakes with added protein powder
  • Fortified milk (milk with extra milk powder added)

These drinks can be especially useful if you are too tired to eat full meals.

Adjusting Foods for Comfort

If you have difficulty chewing or swallowing, or if your mouth is dry or sore, your dietitian may recommend:

  • Soft, moist foods (soups, stews, casseroles, yogurt, pudding)
  • Avoiding very dry, hard, or crunchy foods
  • Cool or room-temperature foods if hot foods worsen discomfort
  • Using sauces, gravies, and broths to make foods easier to swallow

Foods and Supplements: What to Know

Most people with cancer do not need to follow a strict “cancer diet” or avoid entire food groups. In fact, it is usually important to include foods from all food groups to meet your energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs.

However:

  • Your dietitian may recommend more snack foods, desserts, and full-cream dairy than you are used to, especially if you are losing weight.
  • Always tell your doctor, nurse, dietitian, or pharmacist about any nutritional, herbal, or vitamin supplements you are taking. Some supplements can interfere with cancer treatments or medications.
  • Do not start high-dose vitamins, herbal products, or alternative remedies without discussing them with your oncology team in Grand Rapids.

Feeding Tubes and Intravenous (IV) Nutrition

Sometimes, eating by mouth is not enough to meet your nutrition needs. In certain situations, your cancer care team may recommend:

Feeding Tubes (Enteral Nutrition)

A feeding tube may be used if you:

  • Have head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, or other cancers that affect swallowing
  • Have a very dry or painful mouth
  • Have significant ongoing weight loss despite trying to eat more
  • Cannot safely swallow enough food and fluids

Types of feeding tubes include:

  • Naso-gastric (NG) tube – a soft tube passed through the nose into the stomach, typically for short-term use
  • Gastrostomy tube (PEG tube) – a tube placed directly through the abdominal wall into the stomach for longer-term use

A specialized liquid formula is delivered through the tube, providing complete nutrition to help maintain weight and strength.

Intravenous (Parenteral) Nutrition

In less common cases, your doctor may recommend parenteral nutrition, where nutrients are delivered directly into a vein through a special IV line. This might be considered if:

  • Your digestive system cannot be used or is not working properly
  • Severe GI complications prevent you from absorbing nutrients

With parenteral nutrition, you may not need to eat by mouth because your body is receiving nutrients directly into your bloodstream.

Eating Well in Grand Rapids During and After Cancer Treatment

Maintaining good nutrition is important before, during, and after cancer treatment. In Grand Rapids, you can:

  • Work with a hospital-based oncology dietitian at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Ask your primary care provider or oncologist for a referral to a registered dietitian
  • Use local grocery delivery or community support during winter or when you feel unwell
  • Ask friends, family, or local support groups to help with meal preparation

Remember: weight loss is not an expected or “normal” part of cancer treatment. If you notice any weight loss or changes in appetite, seek help early.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids and Michigan

If you are living with cancer in Grand Rapids, these resources can help you find nutrition support and cancer information:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor) – for referrals and ongoing care
  • Oncologist and oncology nurse – for treatment planning and symptom management
  • Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN) – for personalized nutrition plans
  • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health – many have oncology nutrition services
  • Kent County Health Department – offers public health resources and may provide information on nutrition and chronic disease support
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local community clinics – can help connect you with nutrition and support services

You can also access national cancer organizations and survivorship programs online to create a personalized care plan for life after treatment.

Key Points About Cancer and Malnutrition in Grand Rapids

  • A common type of malnutrition in people with cancer is under-nutrition.
  • Research suggests about one in three Michiganders undergoing cancer treatment have malnutrition.
  • Malnutrition can increase hospital stays, infection risk, and reduce treatment effectiveness.
  • It is crucial to eat well before, during, and after cancer treatment to maintain strength and support recovery.
  • Even small, unplanned weight loss (3–4 kg / 6–9 lbs) can be a warning sign, and malnutrition can occur even if you are overweight.
  • Early identification and treatment—through screening, dietitian support, and tailored nutrition plans—can significantly improve outcomes for people with cancer in Grand Rapids, Michigan.