What to do when you have no appetite

Here are some tips that can help if you have no appetite:

• Arrange food in an appetising way.
• Eat several small meals instead of a few big meals.
• Eat slowly and chew well.
• Try cold or lukewarm meals.
• Avoid foods that are difficult to digest and cause flatulence.
• Prepare food gently: little cooking liquid, low heat.
• Choose unprocessed foods.
• Avoid intense spices if you find their smell unpleasant.
• Stock up on food so that you are always prepared if your appetite comes back.
• Eat lots of protein: meat, fish, tofu, eggs, dairy products, and wholemeal products.
• Try bitter foods, they can stimulate your appetite.

Avoid enhancing metallic tastes by using plastic cutlery

Author: Dr. Christiane  Hübbe | Reviewer: Dr. Christian Keinki

Sources:

• Taste changes and loss of appetite | Coping with cancer | Cancer Research UK. (2020). Cancer Research UK. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/diet-problems/types/taste-changes-and-loss-of-appetite
• Loss of Appetite | Managing Cancer-related Side Effects. (2020). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/eating-problems/poor-appetite.html
• No appetite? How to get nutrition during cancer treatment. (2020, October 15). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer/art-20045046
• Fletcher, J. (2021b, November 10). Which foods cause gas and bloating? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323466#foods-that-can-cause-gas
• Rezaie, P., Bitarafan, V., Horowitz, M., & Feinle-Bisset, C. (2021). Effects of Bitter Substances on GI Function, Energy Intake and Glycaemia-Do Preclinical Findings Translate to Outcomes in Humans? Nutrients, 13(4), 1317. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041317
• Taste and Smell Changes | Managing Cancer-related Side Effects. (2020). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/eating-problems/taste-smell-changes.html