Nutrition
What to do when you have no appetite
Here are some tips that can help if you have no appetite:
- Arrange food in an appetising way.
- Eat several small meals instead of a few big meals.
- Eat slowly and chew well.
- Try cold or lukewarm meals.
- Avoid foods that are difficult to digest and cause flatulence.
- Prepare food gently: little cooking liquid, low heat.
- Choose unprocessed foods.
- Avoid intense spices if you find their smell unpleasant.
- Stock up on food so that you are always prepared if your appetite comes back.
- Eat lots of protein: meat, fish, tofu, eggs, dairy products, and wholemeal products.
- Try bitter foods, they can stimulate your appetite.
Avoid enhancing metallic tastes by using plastic cutlery
Author: Dr. Christiane Hübbe | Reviewer: Dr. Christian Keinki
Sources:
- Taste changes and loss of appetite | Coping with cancer | Cancer Research UK. (2020). Cancer Research UK. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/diet-problems/types/taste-changes-and-loss-of-appetite
- Loss of Appetite | Managing Cancer-related Side Effects. (2020). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/eating-problems/poor-appetite.html
- No appetite? How to get nutrition during cancer treatment. (2020, October 15). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer/art-20045046
- Fletcher, J. (2021b, November 10). Which foods cause gas and bloating? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323466#foods-that-can-cause-gas
- Rezaie, P., Bitarafan, V., Horowitz, M., & Feinle-Bisset, C. (2021). Effects of Bitter Substances on GI Function, Energy Intake and Glycaemia-Do Preclinical Findings Translate to Outcomes in Humans? Nutrients, 13(4), 1317. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041317
- Taste and Smell Changes | Managing Cancer-related Side Effects. (2020). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/eating-problems/taste-smell-changes.html