Loss of appetite describes the feeling of not being hungry, no desire to eat and/or no taste for any food. Loss of appetite can also be caused by a loss of sense or change in taste and there may be a bad taste in the mouth. A loss of appetite may also be due to nausea and vomiting from the chemotherapy.
On this page:
"Try to eat healthy when you can but sometimes you will only want to eat certain foods"
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Treatment and management
- Eat small frequent meals every 2 to 3 hours
- Eat foods high in calories
- Avoid heavy greasy meals
- Try eating with family and friends
- Avoid strong smells
- Use a smaller plate, less overwhelming
- Change food seasoning to help with the loss of taste
- Include fluid intake to help with dry mouth
- If not eating due to a sore mouth, try using baking soda and water a few times a day. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if permitted
- Mild exercise if permitted may stimulate your appetite
- Speak with the health care team about medications that may stimulate the appetite
