… Having cancer is hard, but it can be particularly challenging during special times of the year. Well meaning caregivers and friends trying to be helpful may not realize that their gifts of holiday candies and homemade goodies, and offers to bring over “your favorite foods” are not appealing or even appetizing. When you’re not feeling good, it can be very difficult to tell the people that care for you that you are not interested in their kind gestures and offerings of food.
Instead of feeling frustrated or discouraged try to think about the reasons why you are not hungry and seek out the help you need:
1. Are you experiencing treatment-related side effects that are not being controlled? Have you asked for oncology team help?
If you are nauseated, are you taking your anti-nausea medication as your doctor has directed? If your medicine is not working have you called your doctor to let him/her know about your symptoms? You may need something different to help control the type of nausea that you are experiencing. Most importantly, try not to go too long without eating. Try to eat small, more frequent meals or snacks. Try to “graze” a little bit throughout the day.
2. Do you have a sore mouth or throat? Do you have actual sores or ulcers in your mouth or throat? Do you have pain when chewing or swallowing?
If you have a sore mouth or throat, let your doctor know! Your doctor may prescribe something to help soothe or numb these sore tissues. Rinsing your mouth frequently throughout the day with a homemade mouth rinse solution*(below) can also help to heal and ease oral pain.
3. Does everything taste different or even taste bad? Are you keeping your mouth clean?
Often when not hungry or eating regular meals we forget to take care of our mouths. Try these simple suggestions to keep your mouth clean and healthy:
- Brush your teeth after each meal or snack.
- Avoid commercial mouthwashes that contain alcohol and irritate your mouth.
- Rinse at least 3 to 5 times a day with the homemade mouth rinse (below) to keep your mouth tasting and feeling fresh.
4. Does everything smell funny and unappetizing?
Try eating foods and beverages that are not piping hot. Foods that are room temperature, cool, or frozen have less aroma. Avoid eating in a room where there are cooking odors and other smells. Try avoiding cooking foods with strong odors such as fish, onions, or cabbage.
5. Are you too tired to even think about eating? Are you having trouble sleeping?
Have you let your doctor know about your tiredness and fatigue? These are important things your doctor needs to know. When trying to eat, try to eat foods that are truly easy to eat. Use a spoon to eat your favorite cup of hot or cold cereal and milk, sip on soup, nibble on slices or cubes of cheese, snack on trail mix, take sips of a favorite homemade smoothie, and dip into a favorite cup of frozen ice cream. Ask for family and friends to help with shopping, meal preparation and clean-up.
6. When family and friends offer to bring something over for you here are some food ideas:
- Provide specific ideas about what sounds good to you. Maybe it is just a special type of flavored water or carton of frozen yogurt, but every swallow or bite you can muster matters!
- Trying new things and not relying on old favorites can sometimes be helpful.
- However, sometimes eating your old standbys can be the best and most appetizing things to eat. Think about providing family and friends with your special recipes—so there are no surprises!
- Have family or friends help you make a shopping list and have them do the shopping!
Here are some fun and festive non-food holiday ideas:
- Fuzzy or silly socks
- A festive hat or head covering (especially wonderful if you have lost your hair)
- A new pair of holiday pajama pants
- A festive holiday shirt, sweatshirt or sweater
- A lap blanket or throw
- A poinsettia or holiday wreath or candle
- A vial of a soothing aroma or oil
- A favorite movie…how about a holiday classic, a comedy, a little romance, or just a good ole’ Western?
- A book on tape or CD
- A holiday music CD
- A blank journal or notebook for you to write in
- Ask for help with your holiday cards
- Ask for help with putting up your tree and holiday decorations
*Homemade Mouth Rinse: Mix fresh daily.
- 4 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Swish and spit before and after meals as needed; do not swallow
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Barbara L. Grant, MS, RD, CSO, LD, Clinical Operations and Customer Service. Barbara is a Registered Dietitian and is a Certified Specialist in Oncology (CSO). In addition to her work at Meals to Heal, Barbara also provides nutrition counseling throughout the continuum of cancer care at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Cancer Care Center in Boise and Caldwell, ID. She is currently serving as a Commissioner for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (“CDR”) and was Chair from 2011 – 2012. The CDR is the credentialing organization for over 90,000 nutrition and dietetic and professionals in the United States. Barbara is also a member and a past chairman of the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (ON DPG) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Barbara is a frequently published author of clinical and scientific papers and journal articles and has also received numerous honors and awards including the 2011 American Medical Writers Association’s Medical Book Award for Health Care Consumers Category and the Distinguished Practice Award and Service Award from the Academy’s Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. Barbara received her BS, Cum Laude from Washington State University, her MS in Adult Education from the University of Idaho, and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics. Barbara is part of the clinical team at Meals to Heal where she counsels patients on oncology nutrition issues and contributes to clinical website and other Meals to Heal content.