Taste changes with chemotherapy and radiation treatment

As many of you will know, several cancer treatments (some chemotherapy drugs or radiation to your mouth, nose or throat) can make your food taste strange. Many people find they have a metallic taste and food may taste bitter or salty. Some people find their food all tastes the same.

Usually your sense of taste begins to come back to normal within a few weeks of finishing chemotherapy. Radiation treatment can cause a loss of taste for longer. The taste buds need time to recover from radiation damage. This usually improves slowly although it can take many months or longer for your sense of taste to return. If you have had any treatment that affects your sense of smell, this will also affect your sense of taste.

Tips for coping with taste changes

• If all your food tastes the same, try foods that have strong flavours such as salamis, olives, anchovies, smoked foods, strong cheeses, curries.
• Try adding garlic, lemon juice, herbs and spices to food. However it’s best to avoid spicy foods if you have a sore mouth, mouth ulcers or thrush.
• Make a marinade with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, and some herbs or spices - add some lemon juice or soy sauce if you like. Marinate food overnight if you can.
• A dry mixture of spices and herbs can be rubbed onto uncooked meat or fish to add flavour.
• Gravies and sauces can help to add flavour to your meals. This will also moisten your food. People often find their mouth feels very dry when having treatment.
• Sugar-free sweets or chewing gum may help reduce a bad taste in your mouth.
• Avoid foods that taste strange to you, but try them again every few weeks as your taste may have improved
• You may find you associate certain foods or drinks with treatment. You may prefer to avoid your favourite foods until you’ve finished your course of treatment so you don’t go off them for good.
• Many people say they can’t stand the smell of food preparation or cooking. Grilling rather than frying food may help. Try cooking on an outdoor BBQ. Cold or room-temperature foods also have less of an aroma.
• Family or friends may offer to cook food which you can freeze in portion sizes to defrost and heat in your microwave.
• Try using plastic utensils and glass cookware to lessen a metallic taste.
• Good mouth care is always important when you are having cancer treatment – follow advice of your cancer doctor and nurses and see the Information sheet ‘Coping with sore mouth, dry mouth and mouth infections’ at www.cancernz.org.nz
•  For more ideas talk to your cancer nurse or dietitian. The Cancer Society booklets Eating Well and Got Water? – a guide for people with a dry mouth also have useful information.

 

Julie Holt

Cancer Information Nurse