Nutritional counseling was insufficient to maintain dietary intake and nutritional status in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A historical control study for future intervention in China

•Nutritional counseling could improve intake, weight and nutritional status of HNC patients during RT to some degree.•Only nutritional counseling is not enough to keep adequate intake and good nutritional status.•Healthcare professionals should build multidisciplinary teams and conduct the stepwise nutritional support.