Reduced appetite - Side effect to medical cancer treatment

Eat 6-8 small meals during the day, as it can be difficult to eat large portions of food. Supplement the main meals with snacks in between: biscuits, cookies, cake, white bread with butter and cheese, fruit porridge with cream, dairy products (koldskål, ymer, greek yogurt, creme fraiche 38%), ice cream, almonds, nuts and dates.

It can be easier to drink than to eat sufficient amounts of calories. Drink full fat chocolate milk, full cream milk, juice, non-diet soda, smoothies or energy drinks.

Fluids will make you feel full, thus preventing you from eating.

Soup, rice pudding and thin porridge with butter, sugar and cream may be easier to eat if you have reduced appetite.

Do not wait for meal times, as you may not feel like eating by then.

Cook plenty of food, when you have the energy for it, and freeze in smaller portions. Friends and family can also supply your freezer with food.

Put the food on a lunch or dessert plate, to make the portions smaller and not too overwhelming.

Chopped or finely devided food is often easier to chew. Try minced meat, boiled or very finely chopped vegetables e.g mashed potatoes, cooked and pureed fruit rather than fresh fruit.

Reduced saliva production, due to your cancer treatment, can make it more difficult to swallow food. Adding plenty of sauce or gravy to your food may help alleviate that.

Adding more fat to your food will increase your calory intake, even if you don't eat very much. Add butter, double cream, oil or creme fraiche whenever it's possible.

Beef and pork might taste bitter due to the cancer treatment.

Acidic foods stimulate the saliva glands and increase your appetite. Try pickled vegetables such as beetroot and cucumber, fruit compote, chutney and sweet and sour sauce.

You are more inclined to eat, if the food smells and looks good. Air the dining room, put a table cloth on the dining table and set the table with nice china and cutlery. Eat in company with others, and let them do the cooking.

Physical activity, e.g. going for a walk, is beneficial in general and may help increase your appetite.

Go on the scales once a week. Talk to the nurses, if you start losing weight. It's important that your weight is stable, in an effort to maintain your stamina and nutritional status. Diets should wait until after you have finished your treatment.

The nurse will inform you about different nutritional supplements