Sense of taste and smell - Side effect to cancer treatment

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The treatment will affect in particular your sense of taste. But you may also experience certain things smelling differently, e.g. perfume and flowers.

The affect on taste and smell may influence your desire to eat.

The perception of change in taste and smell can vary from person to person, and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

Changes in taste and smell caused by the chemotherapy will usually disappear some time after completing the treatment.

What you can do

Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water with added lemon juice before meals

Try using salt, soy sauce or bouillon in your cooking.

Try using sugar, honey, syrup or fruit juices in your cooking.

Try using e.g. chilli powder, curry powder, ginger, pepper, mustard, horse radish or wasabi in your cooking. Avoid hot spices however, if your mouth and throat are sore or irritated.

Peppermint/mint can reduce a metallic taste

Try using oil, vinegar, soy sauce, lemon and orange juice as marinade.

Poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, cheese, milky dishes, vegetarian dishes with beans and lentils.

Smoked foods can drown out strange tasting foods

Cold food sometimes tastes less different than hot food

Try drinking ice tea or other cold drinks and tea.

”Cheat” your taste buds, thereby increasing your desire to eat, by choosing colourful food, which looks appetizing and smells good

Contact

In case of any questions. Please contact the Oncology Department. Telephone number are on your contact card., or go to:

Sense of taste and smell - Side effect to cancer treatment

What you can do

Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water with added lemon juice before meals

Salt can reduce a sweet taste

Sugar can reduce a bitter and/or sour taste

Hot spices kan reduce strange tastes

Peppermint/mint can reduce a metallic taste

Marinating foods can change a taste for the better

Beef and pork may taste bitter. Instead try:

Smoked foods can drown out strange tasting foods

Cold food sometimes tastes less different than hot food

Wine, beer and coffee may taste differently

”Cheat” your taste buds, thereby increasing your desire to eat, by choosing colourful food, which looks appetizing and smells good

Contact