Appetite, poor

A person with a poor appetite or no appetite may eat much less than they normally do 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 milkshakes).
• 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, milkshakes, 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 they do, 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