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Nutrition and daily life

Taste changes: making food tasty again

During chemotherapy food can taste metallic, bitter, salty or of nothing at all. This reduces appetite and turns people off favourite dishes. This section explains why taste changes and how to live with it.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Plastic and wooden cutlery by a plate.
Figure 1.Plastic cutlery — Taste changes: making food tasty again

01Short answer

Taste cells are sensitive to chemotherapy; changes usually fade within weeks to months after treatment. For a metallic taste, use plastic cutlery and swap red meat for chicken, eggs, legumes or dairy. If food tastes bland, add herbs, spices (if there are no mouth sores) and marinades. Rinse your mouth before eating and keep teeth clean. Cold foods are often less bothersome. Marinades and sauces follow food-safety rules too.

02Simple explanation

Changes are usually temporary.

Plastic cutlery for metallic taste.

Herbs and marinades.

Rinse before meals.

03Scientific explanation

Dysgeusia: chemotherapy alters taste-cell renewal and saliva; benefit from supplements such as zinc is not proven.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Protein sources

If meat is off-putting: eggs, yogurt, pasteurised cheese, legumes, fish.

Chicken with herbs and lemon.
Figure 2.Herbs and marinade — Taste changes: making food tasty again

Mouth care

A clean mouth tastes better; soft brush and simple rinses.

A cold dessert from cooked fruit.
Figure 3.Cold sorbet — Taste changes: making food tasty again

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Protein sourcesIf meat is off-putting: eggs, yogurt, pasteurised cheese, legumes, fish.
Mouth careA clean mouth tastes better; soft brush and simple rinses.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Dysgeusia
Altered taste.
Taste receptors
Tongue cells that sense taste.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • It usually passes.
  • Get protein elsewhere.
  • Flavour with herbs.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Should I take zinc?

Not on your own; evidence is weak, so talk to your doctor.

Everything is bland; what now?

Try different temperatures and textures, and eat small portions.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Should I take zinc?

  2. Everything is bland; what now?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. MedlinePlus. Vitamin K and warfarin
  6. CDC. Hepatitis A outbreaks linked to frozen berries (food safety)
  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Reishi Mushroom
  8. National Cancer Institute (PDQ). Medicinal Mushrooms
  9. American Heart Association. Dietary Fats
  10. NHS. Sugar: the facts
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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