Everything tastes different since I have been on chemotherapy. What do I do about that?
To deal with taste changes that typically occur during chemotherapy, you should:
- Rinse your mouth out with water before eating.
- Try eating citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit) unless mouth sores are present.
- Eat small meals and healthy snacks several times a day.
- Eat small meals when hungry rather than at set mealtimes.
- Use plastic utensils if foods taste metallic.
- Try favorite foods.
- Eat with family and friends.
- Have others prepare the meal.
- Try new foods when feeling best.
- Substitute poultry, fish, eggs, and cheese for red meat.
- Find non-meat, high-protein recipes in a vegetarian or Chinese cookbook.
- Use sugar-free lemon drops, gum or mints if there is a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth.
- Add spices and sauces to food.
- Eat meat with something sweet, such as cranberry sauce, jelly, or applesauce.
