Chemotherapy, while a powerful tool in fighting cancer, can bring about unpleasant side effects, including changes in your sense of taste. Food may suddenly seem bland, metallic, overly sweet, or salty, making it difficult to maintain proper nutrition. This guide provides practical tips and strategies to navigate these taste alterations and ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need during chemotherapy.
Usually, taste changes are temporary and improve after treatment. However, maintaining adequate calorie and nutrient intake is crucial during this period. If you typically adhere to specific dietary restrictions, consult your doctor about temporarily relaxing them to allow for a wider variety of foods and increased nutritional intake, but make sure any changes won’t affect your medications.
Here are several actionable strategies to consider if you are struggling with a metallic taste, lack of taste, or increased sensitivity to certain tastes while undergoing chemo. Experiment to find combinations that work for you.
Note: If you have a sore mouth or throat, avoid spicy, acidic, and hot foods and beverages, as they can cause irritation.
If Food Lacks Flavor After Chemo
One of the most common complaints is that food tastes bland. The goal is to find ways to enhance flavor profiles, and make food palatable again.
Try different sauces, marinades, seasonings, and ingredients to boost the taste of your food.
- During cooking, add:
- Barbecue sauce
- Extracts or flavorings
- Ketchup
- Meat marinades
- Mustards
- Soy sauce
- Spices and herbs (be mindful of any mouth sores)
- Teriyaki sauce
- Vinegar (use cautiously if you have mouth sores)
- Wine (in cooked dishes)
- Other flavor enhancers:
- Bacon bits
- Chopped green or red bell peppers
- Chopped onion or garlic
- Ham strips
- Nuts (if not contraindicated)
- Cheese, especially sharp cheese like cheddar
- Consider sweetness:
- Sugar or syrup on food. For cereal, try brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, dates, or raisins instead of white sugar.
- Salty foods like cured meats, cheeses, and snack chips may also be more appealing.
If Food Tastes Too Sweet
Conversely, some individuals experience an amplified sweetness that makes foods unappetizing. The strategy here involves balancing sweetness with other flavors.
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To reduce sweetness:
- Add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Add plain yogurt, buttermilk, instant coffee powder, or extra milk to milkshakes, instant beverage mixes, or nutritional drinks.
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Choose less sweet options:
- Diluted fruit juice, milk, buttermilk, lemonade, ginger ale, or sports drinks.
- Desserts like yogurt, custard, pumpkin pie, fruit, baked fruit, fruit with cottage cheese, fruit crumble, plain doughnuts, or graham crackers.
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Opt for savory snacks:
- Cheese
- Chips or pretzels with dip
- Cottage cheese
- Crackers and cheese
- Deviled eggs
- Nuts
- Peanut butter
If syrups, jams, or sugar taste too sweet, try butter or margarine on cooked cereal, toast, and pancakes.
If Food Tastes Too Salty
Increased sensitivity to salt can also make eating challenging.
A little sugar may reduce the saltiness of some foods. Cook without adding salt or seasonings containing salt. Avoid processed foods high in sodium. Choose products labeled “reduced sodium” or “low sodium.” Opt for bland, mild-flavored foods.
If Meat Doesn’t Taste Right During Chemotherapy
A metallic taste, or a general aversion to meat, is a very common side effect of chemo. If meat tastes off, explore alternative protein sources.
- Alternatives to meat:
- Beans or peas in soups, salads, side dishes, dips, or spreads
- Cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Custard
- Egg dishes
- Eggnog
- Fish — fresh, frozen, or vacuum-sealed (canned fish may have a metallic taste)
- Nutritional beverages
- Lentils
- Macaroni and cheese
- Malts
- Milkshakes
- Nuts
- Peanut butter
- Poultry
- Pudding
- Quinoa
- Tofu or tempeh
- Yogurt
- Ways to make meat more palatable:
- Combine it with other foods in dishes like chili, lasagna, spaghetti sauce, casseroles, stews, or hearty soups.
- Use sauces, ketchup, and seasonings to enhance flavor.
- Marinate meat, chicken, or fish in marinades, soy sauce, sweet fruit juices, wine, or Italian-style dressings.
- Try salty, spicy, or smoked meats like seasoned beef steaks, pork loins, ham, sausage, or cold cuts.
- Consider high-protein foods that taste good cold or at room temperature, such as cheese or cottage cheese plates; macaroni salads with shrimp, ham, or cheese; tuna, egg, ham, or chicken salad; cold meat or luncheon meat sandwiches; or cold salmon.
Important: If chemotherapy has weakened your immune system, take extra precautions with food safety. Keep foods at safe temperatures, avoid leaving perishable foods out for more than one hour, and avoid unpasteurized products and raw or undercooked meats.
General Suggestions for Managing Taste Changes During Chemo
These tips are designed to stimulate appetite and reduce the impact of taste alterations.
- Presentation Matters: Foods that look appealing often taste better.
- Variety is Key: Select foods with a variety of colors, temperatures, and textures.
- Oral Hygiene: Drink liquids often or use gum, mints, or hard candies to remove a bad taste.
- Utensil Choice: Try plastic utensils if you experience a metallic taste.
- Dental Checkup: Ensure good oral hygiene and address any dental issues.
- Medication Review: Consult your doctor about whether taste changes are related to your medications; adjustments may be possible. Do not stop taking medication without your doctor’s consent.
- Mouth Rinses: Discuss appropriate mouth rinses with your healthcare professional.
If these strategies are insufficient or if you’re losing weight, seek further guidance from your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can provide personalized recommendations tailored to your specific needs and treatment plan.
