Dealing With Loss of Appetite

Most chemotherapy medicines cause some degree of appetite loss, which can range from mild to severe and can even lead to malnutrition. Usually, the change in appetite is temporary. Your appetite should return once you have completed chemotherapy. Until this happens, try some of the following tips:

• Eat small meals every 1-2 hours, instead of the traditional three larger meals a day.
• Eat high-protein, high-calorie foods.
• Add extra calories and protein to meals by using ingredients like:
  • Milk powder
  • Protein powder
  • Peanut butter
  • Butter
  • Honey, jam, and sugar
  • Cheese and cream cheese
• Use liquid supplements that are specially prepared with extra nutrients (found in most health food stores)
• Drink shakes, smoothies, milk, and soup if chewing and eating solid food is a problem.
• Eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as:
  • Soft fruits (bananas, applesauce, watermelon, peaches, and pears)
  • Cottage cheese
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Custards and puddings
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Oatmeal or other cooked cereals
• Supplement meals with snacks that are rich in protein and calories, like:
  • Nuts
  • Cheese (soft, hard, and cottage)
  • Avocado spread on toast or crackers
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Full-fat yogurt
• Try to get a lot of calories at breakfast, as this may be the most tolerable meal of the day.
• Avoid drinking fluids with meals to prevent feeling full from the fluid. Continue to drinks fluids throughout the rest of the day.
• Eat in a pleasant environment with other people.

Managing Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are very common side effects of chemotherapy. If you are experiencing either, talk with your doctor. There are several drugs that prevent or alleviate nausea and vomiting. These medicines can be used before your symptoms appear.

Some things you can do to help manage nausea and vomiting include:

• Eat prior to chemotherapy treatment.
• Avoid foods that are likely to cause nausea, such as spicy foods, greasy foods, or foods with strong odors.
• Eat small meals.
• Slowly sip fluids throughout the day.
• Eat dry, bland foods like crackers, toast, or breadsticks throughout the day.
• Sit up or lie down with the upper body raised for one hour after eating.
• Avoid eating in the room where food was prepared. The odor may be too strong.
• Avoid eating in a room that is too warm.
• Rinse out your mouth both before and after eating.
• Suck on hard candies, like peppermints or lemon drops, if there is a bad taste in your mouth.

In addition, social support is critical to your recovery. Take advantage of the kindness of others. Let your family and friends help you. Ask for assistance with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and clean up. If you have no one to help you, investigate resources in your area, like a community assistance center, support groups, local churches, social service centers, or senior centers.

If you are having problems eating, Saxton suggests asking your oncologist for a referral to a registered dietitian (RD). An RD can help you develop eating plans that may be better tolerated, while providing calories and nutrients.