How cancer treatment affects your sense of taste
Your relationship with food during and after cancer treatment might change unexpectedly if you experience an altered sense of taste or even a loss of taste altogether. The foods you used to love might taste bland or unrecognizable, leading you to search for new ways to cope and adjust your palate. For many, food is a source of comfort and socialization, so finding new ways to enjoy meal time is vital to not only your physical health, but to your emotional health as well.
Changes in taste differ from person to person and depend on the type of cancer treatment, side effects, and other medications. Radiation to the head and neck area may cause damage to taste buds and up to 75% of patients who’ve had chemotherapy experience taste alterations. While this side effect typically goes away a few weeks after treatment ends, it can linger months after. Eating enough can be difficult when you don’t have an appetite, but maintaining a nutritious diet is a critical part of keeping your body strong after a cancer diagnosis.
If you’re noticing foods don’t taste the same as they used to, we’ve gathered some tips to help you manage this side effect.
What are the change of taste symptoms that I should look out for during or after treatment?
Change of taste – and even smell – can vary depending on the person, but common symptoms can include:
- Heightened sensitivity to flavors: Foods taste too salty, sweet, or bitter
- Dulled sense of taste: Every food tastes the same, lacks flavor, or is bland
- Aversion to meat: Meat doesn’t taste right or leaves a bad, metallic taste afterwards
What can I do to get rid of the metallic taste in my mouth?
In addition to meat, canned fruits, veggies, and sauces may also leave a metallic aftertaste in your mouth. Opt for fresh or frozen produce instead of canned and avoid preparing food with metal cookware. Ceramic cookware is a good alternative to cast iron or steel pans. If you find the metal taste is still unbearable, keep mint or sugar-free candies in your purse or pocket to combat the bad taste, especially if you’re out and about and not near a toothbrush.
What can I do to cope with my loss of taste, or when food just doesn’t taste good anymore?
First, let your care team know about your changes in taste and keep track of the differences with a journal or the Outcomes4Me symptom tracker. They may recommend using an alcohol-free mouthwash or a DIY mouth rinse to promote more saliva production.
Next, we recommend keeping a list of foods you still enjoy so you can refer to it when you’re making decisions about groceries or ordering a meal. In the meantime, the following tips can help you combat some of the challenges you may be experiencing.
- Experiment with herbs, citrus, pickled foods, and other spices to season your food to help counter bitter flavors. (Avoid anything acidic if your mouth is sore.)
- Brush your teeth after eating to avoid any lingering metallic taste.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water, baking soda or mouthwash before you eat. Try 1 teaspoon each of salt and baking soda in 4 cups of water.
- If meat isn’t appealing to you, try lighter proteins like fish or chicken. If fish or chicken doesn’t taste good, go for plant-based proteins like tempeh, lentils, or beans.
- Play around with different marinades.
For fresh recipe ideas, take a look at our summer meal prep blog that utilizes fresh herbs and summer produce.
Changes in taste and appetite can be frustrating, adding another layer of mental load to an already challenging time. If your lack of appetite results in weight loss, your care team may refer you to a nutritionist or an oncology dietitian to create a personalized meal plan to help you eat more.
As always, if you would like to connect with an Outcomes4Me oncology nurse practitioner at no charge through the Outcomes4Me app, just use the “Ask Outcomes4Me” button.
