Struggling with eating

Kari2007
Kari2007 Member Posts: 108
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I think one of the toughest things for me two weeks in is dealing with how much of an effort eating is now. I'm still able to swallow without pain, but nothing tastes good, which affects my appetite, which then affects my mood and energy and so on. I've realized that I need to just move to tube feedings as I am struggling to maintain my weight, but I'm mourning my ability to enjoy food. Was there anything that anyone found still tasted good throughout treatment? I'm looking for something I can at least taste for enjoyment. 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
    food

    Kari,

    If you can drink your meals, that is good for swallowing too.

    I had a PEG but always drank at least 1 meal a day and continued to drink around 10 glasses a water a day (still do).

    I never got depressed, I simply tried everything.  It took me 7 months to finally get back to normal eating.

    Crazy as it sounds, sweet tea with nutria-sweet tasted good and so did corn on the cob, what a combination.  I also ate a ton of tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil, that’s in addition to the smoothies.

    My taste buds are “new” great and today and I had a plate full of Carnitas.

    I also indulged the “magic fruit” and oranges.  The pills juice your taste buds for a short shot of flavor.  It works, hit or miss, but what do you have to lose.

    Matt

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #3
    CivilMatt said:

    food

    Kari,

    If you can drink your meals, that is good for swallowing too.

    I had a PEG but always drank at least 1 meal a day and continued to drink around 10 glasses a water a day (still do).

    I never got depressed, I simply tried everything.  It took me 7 months to finally get back to normal eating.

    Crazy as it sounds, sweet tea with nutria-sweet tasted good and so did corn on the cob, what a combination.  I also ate a ton of tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil, that’s in addition to the smoothies.

    My taste buds are “new” great and today and I had a plate full of Carnitas.

    I also indulged the “magic fruit” and oranges.  The pills juice your taste buds for a short shot of flavor.  It works, hit or miss, but what do you have to lose.

    Matt

    food too

    I did not worry about food during treatments.  Mostly post treatments

  • RottiesMom
    RottiesMom Member Posts: 167
    #4
    Kari

    I am almost 2 weeks in and I have the same problem with taste.  I am still eating while I can, even though I can't taste anything.  I'm staying away from strong tasting foods eating things like yogurt, chicken, baked potato, butternut squash, pasta, ice cream.  I figure there is going to come a time when I'm totally on liquids or using my peg tube, so I want to eat as long as possible.

  • Kari2007
    Kari2007 Member Posts: 108
    #5
    CivilMatt said:

    food

    Kari,

    If you can drink your meals, that is good for swallowing too.

    I had a PEG but always drank at least 1 meal a day and continued to drink around 10 glasses a water a day (still do).

    I never got depressed, I simply tried everything.  It took me 7 months to finally get back to normal eating.

    Crazy as it sounds, sweet tea with nutria-sweet tasted good and so did corn on the cob, what a combination.  I also ate a ton of tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil, that’s in addition to the smoothies.

    My taste buds are “new” great and today and I had a plate full of Carnitas.

    I also indulged the “magic fruit” and oranges.  The pills juice your taste buds for a short shot of flavor.  It works, hit or miss, but what do you have to lose.

    Matt

    Magic fruit

    Ooh, sweet tea sounds good! I had a protein shake today - somehow those still taste good. Did you drink Ensure or just make your own shakes? What is "magic fruit?" I love tomatoes and corn on the cob, so I'll try those, too. I've got some tomatoes ripening in my garden now. 

  • Kari2007
    Kari2007 Member Posts: 108
    #6
    RottiesMom said:

    Kari

    I am almost 2 weeks in and I have the same problem with taste.  I am still eating while I can, even though I can't taste anything.  I'm staying away from strong tasting foods eating things like yogurt, chicken, baked potato, butternut squash, pasta, ice cream.  I figure there is going to come a time when I'm totally on liquids or using my peg tube, so I want to eat as long as possible.

    Calories

    Are you able to get enough calories  or are you supplementing with the tube feeds? Baked potato with butter is a good idea and I've been able to eat yogurt pretty successfully. Ice cream, too. 

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #7
    you only live once, try to enjoy it. good luck

    Kari,

    I may have jumped the gun with you, most of my serious food experiments happened after treatments, but I did try to eat anything I could during.  When it was bad, I had  jevity by PEG and a smoothie with berries or bananas, vegetable oil and protein mix, chocolate or vanilla (every day).  Plus lots of water.

    Magic fruit are tablets you buy on the internet, which may or may not excite your taste buds.  I use to get an orange all pealed and ready to eat then pop some magic fruit, let it dissolve, then quickly eat my orange.  It was entertaining and worked a little bit. 

    95% of all food felt and tasted terrible during and after treatments.  Today I have no complaints.

    Matt

  • Kari2007
    Kari2007 Member Posts: 108
    #8
    CivilMatt said:

    you only live once, try to enjoy it. good luck

    Kari,

    I may have jumped the gun with you, most of my serious food experiments happened after treatments, but I did try to eat anything I could during.  When it was bad, I had  jevity by PEG and a smoothie with berries or bananas, vegetable oil and protein mix, chocolate or vanilla (every day).  Plus lots of water.

    Magic fruit are tablets you buy on the internet, which may or may not excite your taste buds.  I use to get an orange all pealed and ready to eat then pop some magic fruit, let it dissolve, then quickly eat my orange.  It was entertaining and worked a little bit. 

    95% of all food felt and tasted terrible during and after treatments.  Today I have no complaints.

    Matt

    Thanks!

    Thanks, Matt. I'm so looking forward to getting my taste buds back. Good to know that it does happen eventually! 

Discussion Boards