Specialist areas
Taste changes
Changes in taste occur in some people who are having certain kinds of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, i.e. food tastes metallic, bitter or unpleasant. This can be overcome by changing the foods you eat by flavouring them differently. Only eat the foods that taste good to you, but if possible have a balanced diet. Retry foods which taste unpleasant a few weeks later.
Tip: Rinse your mouth before eating with lemon, grapefruit or pineapple juice, fruit sorbet, fizzy drinks.
Use extra herbs and seasoning when cooking the following:
Chicken/fish: i.e. lemon juice, garlic, paprika, parsley, ginger, almonds.
- Pork: i.e. ginger, apple, pineapple, cider
- Lamb i.e. mint, rosemary, apricot, chilli powder, vinaigrette
- Potatoes i.e. mint, parsley, onion, bacon pieces
- Rice i.e. onion, garlic turmeric
- Carrot i.e. parsley, thyme, cloves
If food has a metallic taste:
If red meat tastes unpleasant try chicken, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, beans, and lentils.
- Try marinating meat with fruit juice, wine or sweet marinades.
- Avoid using metal pans, dishes and utensils. Plastic utensils may help.
- Sharp foods can leave a pleasant taste in your mouth but avoid them if you have a sore mouth, e.g. lemon juice, pineapple, fruit juice, boiled sweets.
If food tastes bitter:
- Avoid saccharine (artificial sweetener).
- Try adding sugar or have sweet foods.
If food tastes sweeter than normal:
- Try sharp flavoured foods.
General tips:
- Sharp, spicy and/or hot foods may irritate your mouth if it is sore.
- Lukewarm/cold or chilled foods are usually more palatable, e.g. cold meat, melted ice-cream. If it is too cold or hot it may irritate your mouth.
- Try new foods as some may taste better than the foods your normally eat.
- New foods should be tested on days when you feel better, i.e. Sundays when not having treatment and in the mornings.