When your appetite dips during treatment, eating can feel like hard work. This gentle guide offers practical ways to keep your energy up without forcing large meals—think small, frequent portions, soft and easy textures, neutral flavours when taste is off, simple ways to add extra nutrition without extra volume, and hydration you can sip throughout the day. Everyone’s needs are different, so listen to your body and follow your clinical team’s advice; the goal is comfort, steadier nourishment, and making food feel manageable again.
Make food easy!
- Small, frequent portions (set a timer if helpful)
- Cool or room-temperature foods can be more appealing
- Neutral flavours when taste is altered
Easy, comforting options
- Yoghurt with banana/oats; scrambled eggs; soft fish or lentil curry; mashed potatoes with olive oil; soups with blended beans
- Smoothies with milk alternatives, banana, oats, nut butter (if tolerated)
Fortify without volume
- Add olive oil, grated cheese or milk powder to soups/porridge
- Choose energy-dense snacks: hummus, nuts, trail mix, oat bars
Mouth soreness/taste changes
- Choose soft textures; avoid acidic/spicy foods if they sting
- Use plastic cutlery if you have a metallic taste
- Cold foods (smoothies, ice lollies) can soothe
Product support
- Nutritional Energy Shake for quick nourishment
- GlutaCan for gut comfort support; blend with Shake for a creamier drink
