(Of course, my recommendations will vary for each patient.)
One common side effect of cancer treatment ischanges in taste and smell.
One way to deal with this is by changing up flavors and avoiding foods with strong smells.
Getty Images/Graphic by Cristina Cianci
Try adding lemon to protein dishes like chicken and fish, or marinating proteins in vinegar-based dressings.
Adding fresh, pungent herbs (that dont smell bad to you) can help make foods more palatable.
(Check out one of my favorite recipesfor dill-marinated blue fish featuring a lemon marinade).
It might sound counterintuitive, but try foods you dont typically care foryou might find them newly tolerable.
you might also take a stab at cover up metallic tastes by sucking on mints or chewing gum.
The chill can also help numb your taste buds which helps if youre experiencing taste changes.
This can lead to painful cuts or mouth sores that make it difficult to eat.
For mouth sores, Penick recommends ice and frozen treats.
A dry, cottony mouth is another common symptom of both chemotherapy and radiation.
For this symptom, its good to work with liquidy foods and mix up textures.
To meet energy needs, smoothies tend to be really well tolerated, too.
Peanut butter and yogurt are also energy-dense options which make them optimal if youre having trouble getting enough calories.
Avocados, ever popular on toast, are a good addition, too.
They make a smoothie creamier, add calories, and taste mild, Penick says.
One way to combat a lost appetite is to work it back up.
It can also helpprevent constipation, which can be a side effect of chemotherapy or certain pain medications.
As with any intervention, confirm you ask your doctor if exercise is appropriate for you.
If your appetite remains low over the long term, your doctor may prescribe medication to stimulate your appetite.
Some people describe a sense of early satiety, or feeling full after just a few bites of food.
Others simply feel nauseous.
Sometimes larger meals can be overwhelming.
The solution: ABS (Always Be Snacking).
And remember, put it on ice if you justcantwith the flavor.
Cancer treatments are exhausting, and its not reasonable to expect that youll feel like cooking for yourself.
Penick also recommendsCook for Your Life, a website dedicated to recipes for people with cancer.
So much of cancer treatment can feel like its being donetoyou: chemo, surgery, radiation, etc.
Nutrition can be an empowering part of your care, since you have control over your food choices.
A dietitian can help by bringing subject-matter expertise to visits designed to meet your needs and preferences.
While many oncologists and medical practices have dietitians on staff, not all do.
Definitely focus on eating mostly healthy foods, but if all you could tolerate is chocolate pudding?
Add chocolate pudding to the menu!
Katherine Pett is a registered dietitian with an MS in Nutrition Biochemistry and Epidemiology.
Related:
You May Also Like: One Woman Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Interviews Someone in Remission
