Researchers studied what patients with rheumatic diseases (conditions affecting joints and muscles) ate on days they received intravenous immune therapy treatments. They found that most patients ate breakfast before treatment, but very few brought snacks to eat during their sessions. The meals people chose were often high in unhealthy fats and low in protein. Interestingly, the type of medication patients received seemed to influence what they ate. The study suggests that doctors should give patients specific nutrition advice tailored to their treatment type, as better meal choices might help treatments work better and cause fewer side effects.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether patients with joint and muscle diseases eat healthy meals on the days they receive intravenous immune therapy, and if meal quality differs based on the type of medication they’re taking.
- Who participated: 124 patients with rheumatic diseases (conditions affecting joints and muscles) who were receiving intravenous immunotherapy treatments at an outpatient clinic. Researchers looked at 168 treatment visits total.
- Key finding: About 3 out of 4 patients (74%) ate breakfast before treatment, but only about 1 out of 3 (29%) brought a snack to eat during their session. The meals people chose scored around 54 out of 100 for breakfast quality and 50 out of 100 for snack quality—both considered moderate. The type of medication patients took affected what they ate.
- What it means for you: If you receive intravenous immune therapy, eating a better-quality meal before and during treatment may help your body respond better to the medication and experience fewer side effects. However, you should talk to your doctor or a nutrition specialist about what specific foods are best for your particular treatment type.
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from patients at one point in time—specifically on the days they came in for their intravenous immune therapy treatments. Patients answered questions about what they ate for breakfast before their appointment and whether they brought snacks to eat during treatment. Researchers used a scoring system called the Main Meal Quality Index to rate how healthy each meal was, looking at things like protein content, types of fat, and overall nutritional value.
The study included 124 patients making 168 total visits for treatment. Each patient provided detailed information about their breakfast and any snacks they brought. The researchers then looked at whether meal quality was connected to factors like patient age, the specific type of immune therapy medication they were receiving, and what disease they had.
Understanding what patients actually eat on treatment days is important because nutrition can affect how well medications work and how many side effects people experience. This study is one of the first to look specifically at meal quality during immune therapy sessions, filling a gap in medical knowledge. By identifying patterns in what patients eat and how medication type influences food choices, doctors can develop better nutrition guidance tailored to individual patients.
This study has some strengths: it looked at real patients in real treatment settings, used a validated scoring system to measure meal quality, and included a reasonable number of participants. However, it has limitations: it only captured information from one moment in time rather than tracking patients over months or years, it relied on patients remembering and reporting what they ate (which can be inaccurate), and it didn’t measure whether better meals actually led to better treatment outcomes. The study is observational, meaning it shows associations but cannot prove that meal quality directly causes better results.
What the Results Show
The study found that most patients (74%) ate breakfast before their immune therapy sessions, but the quality of these breakfasts was only moderate, scoring an average of 54 out of 100. These breakfasts tended to be high in calories and unhealthy fats but low in protein. Very few patients (only 29%) brought snacks to eat during their treatment sessions, and when they did, the snacks scored even lower on quality (50 out of 100).
Interestingly, the type of medication patients were taking seemed to influence what they ate. Patients taking belimumab (a specific immune therapy drug) ate significantly better breakfasts compared to those taking rituximab. On the other hand, patients taking tocilizumab (another immune therapy drug) tended to bring lower-quality snacks. Older patients generally ate better breakfasts than younger patients.
Patients with specific diseases—systemic lupus erythematosus and axial spondyloarthritis—reported eating better-quality breakfasts compared to patients with other rheumatic diseases. This suggests that disease type and medication type both play a role in what patients choose to eat on treatment days.
The research revealed that most patients’ meals were energy-dense (high in calories) but nutritionally unbalanced. They contained moderate amounts of protein and high amounts of saturated fat (the unhealthy type of fat). This pattern was consistent across different patient groups. The fact that so few patients brought snacks suggests they may not understand the importance of eating during treatment or may not have practical guidance on what to bring.
This is one of the first studies to specifically examine meal quality on immune therapy treatment days. Previous research has shown that nutrition affects how well immune systems function and how medications work in the body, but there was no specific guidance for patients undergoing intravenous immune therapy. This study fills that gap by showing that current eating patterns may not be optimal for supporting these treatments.
The study only looked at what patients ate on one treatment day, not over weeks or months, so we don’t know if these patterns are typical. Patients reported what they ate from memory, which can be inaccurate. The study didn’t measure whether patients who ate better meals actually had better treatment outcomes or fewer side effects—it only showed that meal quality varied. The study was observational, meaning it can show that two things are connected but cannot prove that one causes the other. Additionally, the study didn’t explore why patients made the food choices they did or what barriers prevented them from bringing snacks.
The Bottom Line
If you receive intravenous immune therapy, consider eating a balanced breakfast before your treatment that includes protein (like eggs, yogurt, or nuts), whole grains, and healthy fats. Bring a nutritious snack to eat during your session if possible. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about what specific foods are best for your particular medication and disease. They may have different recommendations based on your treatment type. (Confidence level: Moderate—the study shows this is important but doesn’t yet prove it improves outcomes.)
This information is most relevant for patients with rheumatic diseases (like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or spondyloarthritis) who receive intravenous immune therapy treatments. Healthcare providers caring for these patients should also pay attention, as it suggests they should provide nutrition guidance. Patients taking belimumab may benefit most from nutrition guidance, while those taking tocilizumab should pay special attention to snack quality. People with other conditions receiving different types of treatments should consult their own doctors about whether these findings apply to them.
You might notice improved energy levels and fewer side effects within a few weeks of improving your meal choices around treatment days. However, the full benefits to your disease management and treatment response may take several months to become apparent. Consistency matters—making good food choices before and during each treatment session is more important than occasional healthy meals.
Want to Apply This Research?
- On days you have immune therapy treatment, log what you ate for breakfast and any snacks consumed during the session. Rate each meal on a simple scale (1-5 stars) based on whether it included protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. Track this for at least 4-6 weeks to identify patterns.
- Set a reminder the night before each treatment to prepare a protein-rich breakfast and pack a nutritious snack (like nuts, Greek yogurt, fruit, or whole grain crackers). Use the app to create a checklist of ’treatment day meal essentials’ that you can customize with your doctor’s recommendations.
- Create a monthly nutrition score by averaging your meal ratings. Also track any side effects or energy levels alongside your meal quality to see if there’s a connection. Share this data with your healthcare provider at your next appointment to discuss whether your nutrition plan is working and needs adjustment.
This research describes patterns in what patients eat during immune therapy but does not prove that specific meals improve treatment outcomes. The findings are preliminary and should not replace personalized medical advice from your doctor or registered dietitian. Before making significant changes to your diet, especially around treatment days, consult with your healthcare provider, as nutritional needs vary based on your specific condition, medications, and health status. This study was published in 2026 and represents current research at that time; always seek the most up-to-date medical guidance from qualified healthcare professionals.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.