How can I manage taste changes during cancer treatment?
Season food harder than you used to, swap metal utensils for plastic or bamboo, and match what you eat to the way your taste has shifted. Those three moves handle most of it.
Taste changes are common, and they are real rather than imagined. Cancer itself can cause them, and so can treatment. The National Cancer Institute notes that radiation therapy can change how sweet, sour, bitter, and salty register, while chemotherapy drugs often leave a metallic or chemical taste. Some targeted drugs, antibiotics, and pain medicines do the same. Surgery near the sinuses and radiation to the head and neck can damage the tissue that carries taste and smell.
Smell matters more here than most people expect. Much of what we call flavor is really smell. When smell dulls, food tastes flat even though the tongue is working fine.
Match the fix to the problem
Taste changes do not all look alike, so the right fix depends on which way yours went.
Food tastes metallic or bitter. Eat with plastic or wooden utensils instead of metal. Try plant proteins such as tofu or beans. If red meat tastes wrong, switch to chicken, fish, eggs, or dairy. Tart drinks help some people, including cherry, cranberry, and pineapple juice. Skip the tart ones if you have mouth sores, since acidic foods sting.
Food tastes like nothing. Marinate meat overnight. Use fresh herbs, vinegars, citrus, and spices freely. Fresh produce usually carries more flavor than canned. Warm food gives off more aroma than cold food.
Everything tastes too sweet. Water down juices. Add a pinch of salt or a splash of vinegar. Lean on vegetables and savory dishes.
Smells are the trouble. Keep food covered until you sit down. Run a kitchen fan or cook outside. Steer clear of strong-smelling foods such as fish or brussels sprouts. Cold and no-cook foods give off less odor, so smoothies, shakes, sandwiches, and yogurt often go down easier.
A clean mouth tastes better
A dry or dirty mouth makes everything taste worse. It also raises the risk of tooth decay and mouth infection. Rinse through the day with warm water mixed with baking soda and salt. NCI gives the recipe as 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup of warm water. Swish and spit. Ask your nurse to write down the recipe your team prefers. Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol, because it dries the mouth further. If there is time before treatment starts, see a dentist for a cleaning and checkup.
NCI's patient guide to oral complications says zinc sulfate supplements may help some people get their sense of taste back. Supplements can interact with treatment, so clear any of them with your oncologist first.
How long it lasts, and when to call
For most people taste returns after treatment ends. It can take weeks to months, and it may not come back exactly as it was. Changes tend to last longest after radiation to the head and neck.
Tell your team early, before weight starts dropping. Losing weight you did not mean to lose is worth catching quickly, because it can affect strength and treatment timing. A registered dietitian can build a plan around the foods that still taste good to you. Call your doctor or nurse if mouth or throat pain makes it hard to eat, drink, or sleep, or if you have a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher, the threshold CDC uses on its mouth and throat page.
Sources
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
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