Next Avenue Logo
Advertisement

Appetite Changes With Chemotheraphy

Treatments can affect your appetite, but it's important to to eat to stay strong

By National Institutes of Health

Two common changes during chemotherapy are feeling less hungry and finding that some foods may taste different

  •     Eat well to help your body stay strong.
  •     Let your doctor or nurse know if you lose weight.

Try these tips to make eating easier:

Set meal times and routines.
 Eat a little, even if you're not hungry.

  •     It may help to eat 5 or 6 small meals each day, instead of 3 large meals.
  •     Try new foods to keep up your interest in food.
  •     Eat with family or friends, or watch television while you eat.
  •     Choose healthy foods, like those listed below.
  •     Ask your doctor or nurse about seasonings that may help some foods taste better.
  •     If food tastes like metal, eat with plastic forks or spoons.

Be active.
 Being active may help you feel more hungry.

  •     Take a short walk each day.
  •     Talk with your doctor or nurse about exercise that can help you.

Drink liquids.
 Getting enough to drink is important, but don't fill up on liquids during meals.

  •     Drink milkshakes or soups that are easy to swallow.
  •     Keep track of how much you eat and drink each day. Then talk with your doctor or nurse to make sure you are eating and drinking enough.

Eat more of these foods and drinks that are high in calories or protein.

Ask your doctor or nurse what foods and drinks are best for you.

Soups

  •     Cream soups
  •     Soups with lentils or beans (such as black, kidney, pinto, or red)

Drinks

Advertisement
  •     Some instant breakfast drinks
  •     Milkshakes
  •     Fruit smoothies
  •     Whole milk

Main meals and snacks

  •     Chicken
  •     Lentils or beans (such as black, kidney, pinto, or red)
  •     Eggs
  •     Fish
  •     Nuts, seeds, and wheat germ

Sweets

  •     Custard
  •     Ice cream
  •     Muffins
  •     Pudding
  •     Yogurt (plain or vanilla)

Extras

  •     Butter, margarine, or oil added to foods
  •     Cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream
  •     Some liquid meal replacements
  •     Peanut butter
  •     Powdered milk added to foods

Questions to ask your doctor or nurse:

  1.     What problems should I call you about?
  2.     What foods should I eat?
  3.     Are there high-protein drinks or vitamins that can help me?
  4.     How much water, or other liquids, should I drink each day?
  5.     What exercise can help me?
National Institutes of Health
By National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation's medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is the largest single source of financing for medical research in the world, seeking new ways to cure disease, alleviate suffering and prevent illness. By providing the evidence base for health decisions by individuals and their clinicians, NIH is empowering Americans to embrace healthy living through informed decision-making. NIH is made up of 27 institutes and centers, each with a specific research agenda, focusing on stages of life, like aging or child health, or particular diseases or body systems.

Advertisement
Next Avenue LogoMeeting the needs and unleashing the potential of older Americans through media
©2024 Next AvenuePrivacy PolicyTerms of Use
A nonprofit journalism website produced by:
TPT Logo