'I'm a dietician for cancer patients - five common mistakes are made after diagnosis'

A dietitian specialising in cancer has revealed five common nutrition mistakes she's noticed people frequently make after receiving a cancer diagnosis.

, a registered dietitian who focuses on how food and nutrition can empower cancer patients, embarked on her nutritional journey after noticing the abundance of misleading advice that cancer patients often fall prey to.

Known as The Oncology Dietitian on social media platforms, Nicole has amassed an impressive following of over 366,000 on , where she shares scientifically-backed tips on how food can help cancer survivors feel better by altering their perspective on food. In a post shared in April, Nicole outlined the five most common errors people commit after being diagnosed with cancer, before suggesting alternative strategies to concentrate on instead.

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"The five biggest mistakes cancer survivors make after diagnosis," she captioned the beginning of her post before delving into her list.

1. Taking on too much advice

"After a diagnosis, everyone suddenly becomes an expert - your neighbour, your aunt's friend, or someone on TikTok," she explained.

"Survivors are often overloaded with conflicting advice that leads to confusion, fear, and decision paralysis. Not every opinion deserves your energy, especially when it isn't rooted in real, evidence-based guidance."

2. Eliminating carbs when your brain and body need them

Nicole warns against cutting out carbs, saying: "Carbs are often demonised in cancer spaces, but here's the truth; your body needs them to heal, function, and fight fatigue."

She emphasises that carbohydrates are crucial as they break down into glucose, which is vital for the body's energy. Nicole points out the risks of avoiding carbs: "Survivors who fear carbs can end up undernourished, foggy, and exhausted - all while believing they're doing the 'right' thing. This kind of restriction creates more harm than good."

3. Taking too many supplements

"Supplements can feel like the easy fix - take this, and you'll be safe. But more isn't always better," she said, explaining that overdoing supplements can cause imbalances and might even clash with other treatments.

She advocates for whole foods, stating, "Whole foods have a synergy that no pill can replicate - but that's often overlooked in the rush to 'boost immunity'."

The suggests consulting with a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your diet, as they could potentially disrupt your medication or may not be necessary at all.

4. Resting too much and avoiding movement

"Yes, rest is essential during treatment - but prolonged rest after treatment can make fatigue worse," Nicole stated.

She further explained: "Survivors are often told to 'take it easy,' but movement (done right) is one of the most powerful tools for rebuilding strength, improving mood, and getting energy back. The key is knowing how to do it safely and sustainably."

According to Cancer Research UK, it's safe to be active during cancer treatment and afterwards. They also suggest that those with cancer should aim to return to their normal activities as soon as they can.

Exercise and movement have been associated with improved quality of life and may even help prevent certain types of cancers.

5. Splurging on pricey gadgets that don't work

For her final point, Nicole cautioned against investing in expensive gadgets, filters, or other wellness tools as they often don't perform as well as people might believe.

Nicole clarified: "From high-end juicers to 'healing' water filters to detox machines - survivors are constantly sold the idea that these tools will keep cancer away. These purchases come from a place of fear and the desire for control, but they often lead to unnecessary financial and emotional stress, without improving health outcomes."

In conclusion, Nicole encouraged cancer survivors to concentrate on proven methods that make people feel better, so they can live their best life without wasting energy on pointless things.