by Madison Ogashi

Created on: November 07, 2008

Eating During Cancer Treatments

Ok, you've got cancer, you hope you caught it in time and you're treating it. But now that you on the treatments, food just doesn't taste right anymore. Tastes too sweet, too bitter, no flavor or it taste like your eating the foil instead of the food. This is normal during cancer treatments; it's the chemicals in the body now that are changing your taste buds. Give it some time; food will begin to taste normal again. Usually, no matter how fresh, or how the food is cooked, if it don't taste like it did before, or just not right, you probably won't eat it. And if you don't eat, you won't be getting the nutrients you need during this critical time.

In the meantime, here are some tips in helping you eat while you are having those treatments.

If your food taste a little sweeter than it should, try these ideas. Try a little salt or lemon juice as you cook it, or sprinkle on the plate. You can also add buttermilk, yogurt, instant coffee or even extra milk to you milkshakes for a less sweet taste. For a more drastic measure, you can skip sweets altogether and have plain doughnuts, cottage cheese, peanut butter sandwiches and deviled eggs.

If the food tastes too salty, do not add any to your cooking. Check the labels on sodium content; buy those that are less in sodium.

If meat just doesn't have the same taste anymore, try some of these high protein foods. Soups with beans or peas. Most egg dish: custard, eggnog. Cottage cheese or plain cheese is good also. If you usually like fish however, buy fresh fish, or fish vacuumed sealed in plastic wrap. Canned fish can make it taste like metal. Mac/cheese is good, as is chicken and peanut butter are high in protein.

You might also try casseroles with other foods and meat, or stews. Try soaking the meat, chicken or fish in marinating sauces, juices and wine-dressings. In addition, you might want to eat 'cold' foods for awhile just until you get you taste back. Eat foods that regularly eaten cold or chilled.

If you find that you just can't eat food just because it has no taste anymore, check with you Dr or Nutritionist for helpful ideas on what to eat. You have to eat, and why not eat high nutrient foods that are good for you during this time even if you cannot taste it. Your taste WILL came back, just be patient.

Experiment with different sauces, and condiments like ketchup, mustards, and such to help you improve the taste of foods.

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