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Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Information Service Health Topics A-Z Health Topics by Category
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Managing Eating Problems During Cancer Treatment
Loss of Appetite
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed by Cancer Center Staff
Creation Date: September 2003
Last Revision Date: February 2007
Loss of appetite is a common side effect of cancer and its treatment. It can be due to depression, pain, loss of smell and/or taste, difficulty swallowing, or an early feeling of fullness. Most causes of loss of appetite resolve with time.
- Eat any time there is an urge to eat.
- Eat nutritionally dense foods. Add butter, whole milk, and cheese sauces to appropriate food.
- Eat small amounts of a favorite food every 2 hours.
- Drink beverages between meals rather than with meals.
- Ask the doctor for permission to exercise lightly to stimulate the appetite.
- Keep nutritious snacks available (yogurt, cheese or peanut butter and crackers, hard cooked eggs).
- Add dry milk powder to appropriate foods such as cream soup and mashed potatoes.
- Enjoy meals in a pleasant atmosphere with soft music and a pretty table setting.
- Try special occasion foods without the special occasion.
- Skip traditional foods at specific meals and eat whatever sounds good at the time.
- Use plates.
- Carry portable snack foods.
- Choose easy to chew foods, such as applesauce, pudding or yogurt.
- Eat what is appealing rather than what is "healthy."
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