Why loss of appetite with cancer

Food guide pyramid Dietary guidelines for Americans 5 Fruits for Better Health - Cancer Nutrition Antioxidants Omega-3 fatty acids Phytochemicals Exercise Cancer prevention nutrition guides Breast cancer prevention Colorectal cancer prevention Prostate cancer prevention.

Before Cancer Treatment. Cancer Diet During Treatment. Food safety during cancer treatment Organic produce Making vegetables taste good High protein foods High calorie snacks Clear liquids and full liquids Enteral and parenteral nutrition for adults Exercise for appetite and digestion Lactose intolerance Increasing calories and protein low to no lactose Nutrition during chemo Nutrition during radiation therapy.

Managing Treatment Side Effects. Nutritional Management of Loss of Appetite: There are many things that cause a loss of appetite. Suggestions for managing a loss of appetite include the following: If you feel you cannot eat regular food for any meal, try liquid meal replacements.

If you cannot eat very much at one time, eat throughout the day. Frequent meals or high-protein, high-calorie snacks, even if they are small, make up for larger meals. Keep easy to prepare and nutritious foods within reach so you can have something whenever you feel like it. Do not forget to take a snack with you whenever you go out.

Try these snack ideas: Cheese and crackers Muffins Ice cream Peanut butter Fruit Pudding Liquid supplements If you cannot eat solid foods and cannot drink liquid supplements, try to drink beverages during the day. Juice, soup, and other similar fluids can provide important calories and nutrients.

Change the way you eat certain foods or the time you eat them to make them more attractive. Try soft, cool, or frozen foods. Take advantage of times when you have a good appetite and eat well. Do not drink too much while you eat, and stop drinking a half hour to an hour before your plan to have a meal. This may improve your appetite. Plan an enjoyable meal. Make food attractive and relax while you eat. Eat with friends. Wine or beer may stimulate your appetite. A small glass of wine or beer during a meal may be okay.

Check with your physician or registered dietitian. Do some physical activity each day even if you feel tired. Patient Stories. Request for Medical Report. Feedback Form. Home to skip to the main content on a page to skip to the main content on a page. Corporate Profile. Visitors Information. Contact Us. Your Clinic Visit. Find a Doctor. Research Labs. Our Researchers.

Clinical Trials. SingHealth Research. Professional Development. Fellowship Programme. SingHealth Academy. Why Give. Get Involved. Your Gift at Work. Be Informed. Make a Gift. Our Campaign. You do not need a prescription from your doctor or dietitian to buy them. People with advanced cancer may develop a muscle-wasting syndrome known as cachexia.

Your doctor or dietitian will discuss ways to control cachexia, which may include nutritional supplements or medicines such as appetite stimulants. For more on this, see Nutrition and cancer , and listen to our podcast on Appetite Loss and Cancer. It was very important for our family and friends to be well informed about the ongoing problems with eating and digestion that occur during surgery.

Having support helped us adjust to the changes. Download PDF kB. View all publications or call 13 11 20 for free printed copies. Coping with cancer? Speak to a health professional or to someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum. Need legal and financial assistance? Pro bono services, financial and legal assistance, and no interest loans. It's important to remember that other non-cancer health problems and medications used to treat non-cancer problems can also cause loss of appetite.

A person that has anorexia poor appetite or no appetite may eat much less than normal or may not eat at all. This is common with some cancers and some treatments, but it's important to remember that everyone is different. If treatment is the main cause, loss of appetite can be temporary. If there are other factors, it can be longer lasting.