A person with a poor appetite or no appetite may eat much less than he normally does or may not eat at all. A poor appetite can be caused by many things, such as trouble swallowing, depression, pain, nausea, or vomiting. (For more information on these causes, see the related sections.) A poor appetite can also be due to a changed sense of taste or smell, feeling full, tumor growth, dehydration (see the section called "Fluids and dehydration"), or side effects of chemotherapy or radiation. A poor appetite is most often a short-term problem.
What to look for
- Lack of interest in food
- Refusing to eat favorite foods
- Weight loss
What the patient can do
- Talk with your doctor about what may be causing your poor appetite.
- Eat as much as you want to, but don’t force yourself to eat.
- Think of food as a necessary part of treatment.
- Start the day with breakfast.
- Eat small, frequent meals of favorite foods.
- Try foods high in calories that are easy to eat (such as pudding, gelatin, ice cream, sherbet, yogurt, or milk shakes).
- Add sauces and gravies to meats, and cut meats into small pieces to make them easy to swallow.
- Use butter, oils, syrups, and milk in foods to increase calories. Avoid low-fat foods unless fats cause heartburn or other problems.
- Try strong flavorings or spices.
- Create pleasant settings for meals. Soft music, conversation, and other distractions may help you eat better.
- Eat with other family members.
- Drink liquids between meals instead of with meals. (Liquids at mealtime can lead to early fullness.)
- Try light exercise an hour before meals.
- Hard candies, mint tea, or ginger ale may help get rid of strange tastes in the mouth.
- With your doctor’s OK, enjoy a glass of beer or wine before eating.
- Eat a snack at bedtime.
- When you don't feel like eating, try liquid meals, such as flavored supplements (such as Ensure®, Sustacal®, Boost®, Carnation Instant Breakfast®, and others). Using a straw may help.
What caregivers can do
- Try giving the patient 6 to 8 small meals and snacks each day.
- Offer starchy foods (such as bread, pasta, or potatoes) with high-protein foods, such as fish, chicken, meats, turkey, eggs, cheeses, milk, tofu, nuts, peanut butter, yogurt, peas, and beans.
- Keep cool drinks and juices within the patient’s reach.
- If the smell of food bothers the patient, offer bland foods served cold or at room temperature.
- Create pleasant settings for meals, and eat with the patient.
- Offer fruit smoothies, milk shakes, or liquid meals when the patient doesn't want to eat.
- Try plastic forks and knives instead of metal if the patient is bothered by bitter or metallic tastes.
- Don’t blame yourself when the patient refuses food or can’t eat.
- If the patient cannot eat, you may want to offer just your company. Or offer to read to them or give them a massage.
Call the doctor if the patient:
- Feels nauseated and cannot eat for a day or more
- Loses 5 pounds or more
- Feels pain when he eats
- Does not urinate for an entire day or does not move bowels for 2 days or more
- Does not urinate often, and when he does, the urine comes out in small amounts, smells strong, or is dark colored
- Vomits for more than 24 hours
- Is unable to drink or keep down liquids
- Has pain that is not controlled
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