Cancer treatment and recovery can take a toll on your physical health. You may experience fatigue, nausea, mouth sores, or a loss of appetite, all of which can make eating feel more difficult. It’s not uncommon to find that the foods you once enjoyed no longer appeal to you. You may experience an altered sense of taste that makes meal planning challenging, but proper nutrition is essential to help your body heal and stay strong. 

Adding bone broth to your diet can be a gentle, nutrient-dense option that can support your body when other foods feel overwhelming. 

What is bone broth?

Bone broth is a savory, slow-simmered liquid made from animal bones, typically beef, chicken, or lamb, along with herbs, vegetables, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. As the bones simmer over many hours, essential nutrients including collagen, protein, and minerals are released into the broth. The result is a warm, comforting drink that’s easy on your digestive system and full of healing potential.

What makes bone broth different?

To make a bone broth, you’ll need to spend more time cooking it, which allows nutrients and protein to really sink into the liquid. The process can take up to 24 hours, starting with simmering water and roasting bones. 

Other broths, like stock and regular broth, cook much faster (2 to 6 hours total), and vary in their amount of nutrients, but neither has as much protein or nutrients as bone broth.

Why bone broth?

One of the biggest benefits of bone broth is that it provides protein in a form that’s easy to consume, especially when you’re not up for full meals. Protein plays a crucial role during cancer treatment and recovery. It helps repair tissues, supports immune function, prevents muscle loss, and helps the body better tolerate side effects.  

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When your appetite is low or you’re dealing with mouth pain, sipping warm bone broth can be a gentle, hydrating way to get essential nutrients. It’s also soothing for a sore throat or sensitive stomach.

A typical 8-oz serving of bone broth contains about 8-10 grams of protein, depending on how it’s made and what bones are used. While that’s not a huge amount, it’s a helpful boost, especially when every bite or sip counts.

What nutrients are in bone broth?

Bone broth is full of supportive compounds that can help support your overall health: 

• Protein, which aids in tissue repair, muscle maintenance, and immune support.
• Amino acids, like glycine and arginine, which can help with inflammation
• Collagen, which can support joint health and recovery.
• Minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which support bone strength and overall cellular function.
• Hydration, which is vital when you’re dealing with treatment side effects like nausea or appetite loss.

Store-bought vs. home-made bone broth

Although you can purchase bone broth at the store, especially if you’re in a pinch or feeling tired, making it at home is often the better option. Homemade broth gives you full control over the ingredients and sodium levels. If you are buying store-bought broth, look for a low-sodium option.

You don’t need fancy equipment to make bone broth at home, but a slow cooker can make the process much easier and more manageable. Simply add your ingredients to the pot, set it to low, and let it simmer for at least six hours. Using a slow cooker not only shortens your hands-on time, but also lets you step away and rest while it does the work for you.

If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can easily make bone broth on the stovetop. Just allow the water to come to a boil with your ingredients and set to a low simmer for 12 hours.

Be sure to talk to your care team or a registered oncology dietitian before adding new foods or supplements to your routine. If you’re undergoing intensive cancer treatment, recovering from surgery, or have a weakened immune system, consider using pasteurized, store-bought bone broth to minimize your risk of foodborne illness when handling raw ingredients.

Homemade bone broth recipe

Making bone broth at home is simple and can be customized based on your personal taste. You can keep it as basic or as flavorful as you’d like. Some people prefer just bones and water, while others add vegetables, herbs, and spices for extra nutrition and flavor.

To start, you’ll need a few bones of your choice. You can ask your local butcher for bones or purchase them from the meat section at the grocery store. For a low-waste option, you can save leftover bones from cooked meals and vegetable scraps (onion peels, carrot ends, celery tops, etc.) in your freezer until you’re ready to make a batch.

Here’s a general guide you can follow to make homemade bone broth:

1. Roast your bones (optional): For a richer flavor, roast bones on a baking sheet at 400°F for about 30 minutes.
2. Simmer: Place bones in a large pot or slow cooker. Cover with filtered water and add a splash of apple cider vinegar to help release nutrients.
3. Add flavor (optional): Add vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery, and herbs such as peppercorns, bay leaves, turmeric, or ginger, whatever suits your taste and dietary needs.
4. Cook low and slow: Simmer on low for at least 12 hours on the stovetop and at least 6 hours in a slow cooker.
5. Strain and store: Strain out the solids, let the broth cool, and store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze in portions for later use.

Bone broth doesn’t have to be perfect. Just make it in a way that works for you and your energy level. Even a simple version can be nourishing and comforting.

What if I still don’t feel like eating?

If bone broth doesn’t appeal to you, don’t worry. There are many other ways to nourish your body. You might try small amounts of soft or blended high-protein foods like yogurt, smoothies, nut butters, eggs, or tofu. Plant-based proteins, low-fat dairy, leafy greens, and whole grains can also offer important nutrients. 

If you’re struggling to maintain your weight or get enough nourishment, talk with your care team or request a referral to an oncology dietitian who can offer individualized guidance.

As always, if you would like to connect with an Outcomes4Me oncology nurse practitioner at no charge through the Outcomes4Me app, just use the “Ask Outcomes4Me” button.

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