What should I know about dealing with a poor appetite?
ACS Answer
Changes in or a loss of appetite can have a number of causes, such as difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, changed sense of taste or smell, feeling full, tumor growth, depression, or pain. Poor appetite is most often a temporary problem.
What to look for
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weight loss
- Lack of interest in food
- Refusing favorite foods
What to do
- Eat as much as you want to.
- Think of food as a necessary part of treatment.
- Start the day with breakfast.
- Eat small, frequent meals of favorite foods.
- Try foods high in calories that are easy to eat (pudding, gelatin, ice cream, yogurt, milkshakes).
- Eat food cold or at room temperature to decrease its smell and taste.
- Plan meals with favorite foods.
- Create pleasant settings for meals.
- Eat with other family members.
- Drink beverages between meals instead of with meals. (Liquids at mealtime can lead to early fullness.)
- Try light exercise one hour before meals.
- With your physician's approval, enjoy a glass of beer or wine before eating.
Do not
- Force yourself to eat.
- Allow your appetite to become a battleground between you and your family.
Call the doctor
- If you feel nauseated and cannot eat for a day or more
- If you lose five pounds or more
- If you feel pain when you eat
- If you do not urinate for an entire day or do not move your bowels for two days or more
- If you do not urinate often, and when you do, the urine comes out in small amounts, smells strong, or is very yellow
- If vomiting continues for more than 24 hours
Related Resources
More information about nutrition for cancer patients:
Visit www.cancer.gov for an Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care (NCI)
Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.
Recommended Consultation
You should consider discussing this topic with your doctor or health care team.
