Taste Impairment

Chemotherapy, as well as cancer itself, may cause a decrease in appetite, but it’s necessary to maintain good nutrition. During chemotherapy, flavors of some foods and beverages may taste unusually strong or intense. Others may taste bitter, particularly beef, pork, coffee, desserts, sweets or tomatoes. A cancer patient’s mouth may have a metallic or medicine-like taste in it. The sense of taste usually returns to normal a few weeks after chemotherapy treatment has been completed. If a cancer patient needs help while at home, please suggest he or she contact the healthcare provider.

Managing Nutritional Needs and Taste Changes

• Eat small, frequent meals in a soothing, restful place.
• Drink eight glasses of liquids each day to keep the body well hydrated.
• Include foods from all the food groups in the diet each day – this minimizes taste fatigue.
• Eating tart foods will help a cancer patient overcome the metallic or bitter taste in the mouth.
• Chewing sugar-free gum or eating candies and mints will help control the metallic or bitter taste in the mouth and help relieve mouth dryness.
• Cold foods rather than hot foods may be more appealing.
• Use spices/flavorings to help improve the taste of food, such as ginger, salt, cinnamon, vinegars, soy sauce.
• Frequently rinse the mouth with cool water, mint-flavored water, or a mild solution of baking soda and water
• Avoid the sight and smell of foods causing unpleasantness.

This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. A cancer patient should always seek the advice of his or her physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment.