Download Loss of Appetite - BC Cancer Agency

Symptom Management
Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite is not feeling hungry or having no desire
to eat.
What is loss of appetite
Loss of appetite is not feeling hungry or having no desire
to eat.
Loss of appetite can be caused by your cancer, cancer
treatment, some medications, anxiety or depression, or a
combination of these.
Some of these causes can be treated, but sometimes loss
of appetite is a normal adaptation to living with cancer.
What you can do for yourself
Let your health care team know if your appetite is decreased.
If you are losing weight, ask to speak to a dietitian at your
cancer centre or in your community.
You can also speak to a dietitian at Health Link BC (https://
www.healthlinkbc.ca/) by dialling 8-1-1 from anywhere in BC.
There is a dietitian available Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm to
help answer your questions.
For help coping with your emotions which are impacting
your appetite please go to our Emotional Support page:
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/coping-with-cancer/
emotional-support
A few helpful tips are:
• Choose high calorie, high protein foods so you don’t need
to eat as much to meet your needs.
• Carry snacks with you if you are going to be away from
home.
• Eat your biggest meal when you appetite is best. This may
be at breakfast time rather than at the traditional evening
meal.
• Take a break from eating to rest, take a walk or get some
fresh air. Have a snack after your break.
• Ask family and friends to help you with cooking and
shopping.
• Invite friends and family to eat with you to make meals
more enjoyable.
• Use a smaller plate, so the amount of food doesn’t seem
like it’s too much.
• Do not force yourself to eat if it makes you feel sick.
Learn More
See our nutrition handouts (http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/
health-professionals/professional-resources/nutrition/
nutrition-handouts) section for more suggestions and
meal ideas on topics such as:
• Poor appetite
• Taste changes
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
•Nausea
• Eat often. Try a few mouthfuls even if you are not hungry.
Try snacking at least every 2 hours.
• Bowel movement issues
• Eat what you feel like eating. It is okay to eat the same
foods over and over again if only a few foods appeal to
you.
•Diabetes
• Advanced cancer
• Specific types of cancer
December 2016