Redefining Cancer Nutrition Care Through Culinary Innovation

Every patient’s nutritional needs are unique. Health conditions, medications, personal requirements and cultural traditions influence a wide variety of food tolerances and flavor preferences. Clinicia™, Sodexo’s clinical and patient nutrition brand, goes beyond standard offerings and features more than 80 specialized diets and various customizable profiles. This approach ensures meals are tailored to individual needs, including those of patients managing a cancer diagnosis. With Clinicia, personalized nutrition becomes an integral part of the healing experience.

Combatting Malnutrition Through Better Food

Malnutrition is a serious concern during cancer treatment, impacting 30% to 85% of patients.¹ Medical treatment can lead to complications such as mouth sores, decreased appetite and inadequate intake of calories, vitamins and minerals. Clinicia is designed to change that. By focusing on better food for better outcomes, nutrition for cancer patients is maximized during treatment to help combat malnutrition and support healing. Sodexo’s expert Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and executive chefs have developed a dedicated set of recipes specifically tailored for patients being treated for cancer, ensuring every bite delivers the nourishment they need when it matters most.

Clinicia’s oncology menu profile features more than 50 everyday dishes thoughtfully modified to boost flavor, calories, protein and essential nutrients for patients with cancer. One key enhancement is the strategic use of herbs and spices — such as pepper, turmeric and cinnamon — to elevate taste and enhance palatability. Many patients undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments may notice changes in their taste, which can make food seem less flavorful and unappealing. By incorporating these natural flavor boosters, Sodexo’s patient nutrition team helps restore enjoyment in eating. This encourages greater food intake and ultimately supports improved nutritional outcomes during treatment.

Adapting Meals to Support Comfort, Intake and Recovery

In the past, oncology-focused recipes often relied on ingredients like sweetened condensed milk to increase calories and protein. While effective for meeting nutritional targets, these options were highly processed and lacked the balance patients need for overall wellness. Today, Clinicia’s oncology menu profile takes a modern, patient-centered approach to cancer nutrition, prioritizing whole, natural ingredients that deliver both nourishment and comfort. This shift reflects a growing understanding that better nutrition can play a vital role in recovery and quality of life.

For example, Sodexo transforms mashed potatoes, a familiar favorite, into a powerhouse of flavor and protein. By blending nutrient-rich ingredients with fresh herbs and seasonings into the traditional recipe, a dish is created that maintains the comforting texture patients expect while boosting protein content and enhancing taste. These thoughtful innovations help patients meet their nutritional needs without sacrificing enjoyment, supporting better outcomes and a more positive dining experience during treatment.

Sodexo’s everyday menu also includes more than 200 texture-modified recipes, each tailored to provide varying levels of consistency adjustments. These options help patients find foods that meet their specific requirements, whether they need softer textures, easier-to-chew items or added moistness to aid swallowing. Patients with dysphagia or other eating challenges can then enjoy meals that are both safe and satisfying.

For patients experiencing poor or diminished appetite, a schedule featuring six smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day is offered. This approach makes it easier to maintain adequate nutrition for cancer patients without overwhelming them with large meals. By offering flexibility and accessibility, the plan supports patients in eating whenever hunger occurs, helping to improve overall intake and energy levels.

Elevating Healing Through Compassionate Nutrition

At Sodexo, food is considered more than nourishment — it’s a vital part of the healing journey. By combining clinical expertise with culinary innovation, meals are delivered that meet the highest standards of nutrition while honoring taste, comfort and individuality. The Clinicia oncology menu profile exemplifies this commitment, offering thoughtfully crafted dishes that help patients maintain strength, improve intake and feel cared for during one of life’s most challenging times. Because when every bite matters, better food truly leads to better outcomes.

See how clinical expertise and culinary care come together with Clinicia.  

1. Javaid S, Frasier K, Baur VJ, Li V. Elucidating the Role of Malnutrition in Acute Leukemia Patients and How It Leads to Adverse Events During Hospitalization: An Interesting Study. J Oncology. 2024; 4(1): 1125. https://doi.org/10.52768/2692-563X/1125