How can I manage taste changes during cancer treatment?
Season food harder than you used to, swap metal utensils for plastic or bamboo, and match what you eat to the way your taste has shifted.
Taste changes are common, and they are real rather than imagined. Cancer itself can cause them, and so can treatment. The National Cancer Institute notes that radiation therapy can change how sweet, sour, bitter, and salty register, while chemotherapy drugs often leave a metallic or chemical taste. NCI also lists targeted therapy and dental problems as possible causes.
Match the fix to the problem
Taste changes do not all look alike, so the right fix depends on which way yours went.
Food tastes metallic or bitter. Eat with plastic or wooden utensils instead of metal. Try plant proteins such as tofu or beans. If red meat tastes wrong, switch to chicken, turkey, or dairy foods. Tart drinks help some people, including cherry, cranberry, and pineapple juice. Skip the tart ones if you have mouth sores, since acidic foods sting.
Food tastes like nothing. Marinate meat overnight. Use fresh herbs, vinegars, citrus, and spices freely. NCI suggests choosing fresh produce.
Everything tastes too sweet. Water down juices. Add a pinch of salt or a splash of vinegar. Eat more vegetables.
Smells are the trouble. Keep food covered until you sit down. Run a kitchen fan or cook outside. Steer clear of strong-smelling foods such as fish or brussels sprouts. NCI suggests foods that need no cooking, such as protein shakes, smoothies, and sandwiches.
A clean mouth tastes better
A dry or dirty mouth makes everything taste worse. It also raises the risk of tooth decay and mouth infection. Rinse through the day with warm water mixed with baking soda and salt. NCI gives the recipe as 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup of warm water. Swish and spit. Ask your nurse to write down the recipe your team prefers. If there is time before treatment starts, see a dentist for a cleaning and checkup.
NCI's patient guide to oral complications says zinc sulfate supplements may help some people get their sense of taste back. Supplements can interact with treatment, so clear any of them with your oncologist first.
How long it lasts, and when to call
NCI says taste often gets better after treatment ends. After chemotherapy, taste usually returns to normal a few months after treatment ends. After radiation therapy, it can take 6 to 8 weeks or more, and for many people who have radiation the change is permanent.
Tell your team early, before weight starts dropping. Losing weight you did not mean to lose is worth catching quickly, because it can affect strength and treatment timing. A registered dietitian can build a plan around the foods that still taste good to you. Call your care team right away if mouth or throat pain makes it hard to eat, drink, or sleep, or if you have a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher. Call 911 or go to the ER for confusion, fainting, or trouble breathing.
Sources
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
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