nutrition & cancer WHAT IF NOTHING TASTES RIGHT? Taste changes can be a major barrier to eating. This is when it’s important to remember that food is as important as medicine, and to view eating not as pleasure but as necessity. It may not taste as good or be as fun to eat, but it must be done. TRY THESE TIPS TO HELP: • Try cool, moist foods, such as frozen melon balls or grapes • Rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm water, salt, and baking soda before eating to help reset your taste buds • Use plastic silverware to avoid metallic taste • Suck on lemon or peppermint candies throughout the day
• S ome people find that red meat tastes bitter; choose other sources of protein, such as chicken, fish, eggs, beans/legumes, nuts, or nut butter I F YOUR FOOD TASTES BLAND: • Choose tart foods, such as lemon wedges, lemonade, citrus fruits, vinegar, or pickled foods • Add extra flavor to foods with spices or sauces, such as onion, garlic, chili powder, basil, oregano, rosemary, mint, ketchup, mustard, or barbeque sauce • Choose fresh vegetables over canned or frozen vegetables • Add a small amount of honey or sugar to bring out flavor
WHAT IF I HAVE MOUTH SORES? Mouth sores are common with chemotherapy and can be a real pain (no pun intended). If you have mouth sores, try these tips: • Avoid dry, course, and rough foods • Avoid alcohol, citrus, spicy foods, and acidic foods, such as tomatoes • Choose soft, bland foods served at room temperature • Try pureed fruits and vegetables, puddings, custards, cream soups, or Crock-Pot meals • Moisten foods with broth, sauces, gravies, or milk • Drink smoothies, milkshakes, or oral nutritional supplements to replace meals or snacks • Suck on frozen fruits or popsicles to soothe your mouth • Rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm water, salt, and baking soda 2 to 3 times every day
REMEMBER: Medications are available, and sometimes necessary, for managing treatment side effects, especially nausea, mouth sores, diarrhea, and constipation. It is always important to speak with your healthcare team about your side effects and take your medications as recommended. 57
June 2015 • Conquer-magazine.com