Decreased Appetite After Chemotherapy, How to Cope?
Quoted from Verywell, as many as 50 percent of cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy complain of a metallic taste in the mouth, bitter, or even too sweet when eating. As a result, they tend to lose their appetite. In fact, eating will actually help the body recover faster after chemotherapy. Calm down first. Here are some ways to restore decreased appetite due to chemotherapy.
How to deal with decreased appetite after chemotherapy
Although it is effective in killing cancer cells, the effects of chemotherapy can also damage the tongue cells that detect sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes. As a result, the food that goes into the mouth will taste bland and make the patient lazy to eat.
That is why the problem of decreased appetite is often complained of by chemotherapy patients
1. Keep your teeth and mouth clean
The effects of chemotherapy can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the mouth and irritate the taste cells on the tongue. To fix this, keep your teeth and mouth clean by regularly brushing your teeth twice a day, namely in the morning and before bed.
Not only does it prevent dental and mouth infections, it can also help restore sensitivity to the tongue. The taste of food is no longer bland and you can start enjoying the food served.
2. Chew sugar-free gum
If your tongue feels metallic or bitter after chemotherapy, try chewing sugar-free gum. You can also sip a cup of tea, ginger ale, or a sports drink to help get rid of the bitter sensation in the mouth.
3. Eat little but often
If you can’t afford to eat a whole meal straight away, why don’t you try to eat little by little but often?
Give pause every 2 to 3 hours to eat small portions, so that your nutritional needs are maintained. Also, balance by eating healthy snacks such as fruit or yogurt as a complement.
And most importantly, always meet your body’s fluid needs by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Dehydration can make your tongue dry and bitter.
4. Add spices to food
Feel free to add spices to foods such as garlic, ginger, cinnamon, lemon, mint, and so on. Apart from enhancing the taste of food, these food ingredients can also stimulate the sensitivity of the tongue of cancer patients when eating.
You can also use various types of sauces such as mayonnaise sauce, teriyaki sauce, or barbecue sauce (BBQ) into your favorite foods. This can help improve the taste of the food as well as restore appetite.
5. Consult a doctor
Your body still needs nutrients, especially if you are undergoing a number of cancer treatments. If you still experience a decrease in appetite that doesn’t get better, consult a doctor immediately. Your doctor may give you a vitamin or mineral supplement to help meet your daily nutritional needs.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Taste Changes During Chemotherapy. https://www.verywellhealth.com/taste-changes-during-chemotherapy-513895. Accessed 2/10/2018.
Eating During Cancer Treatment: Tips to Make Food Tastier. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer/art-20047536. Accessed 2/10/2018.
Coping With Taste Changes. https://www.cancercenter.com/community/nutrition-tips/coping-with-taste-changes/. Accessed 2/10/2018.
