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Formerly known as California Oncology of the Central Valley Request an Appointment
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Formerly known as California Oncology of the Central Valley Request an Appointment

Loss of Appetite

Women's Cancer Care > Side Effects of Treatments > Loss of Appetite

About Loss of Appetite Following Treatment

Nutrition and weight management is especially important during cancer treatment, but loss of appetite is a common symptom of many therapies. This can simply feel like a lack of hunger or lack of interest in eating, or can be associated with other symptoms. Constipation, pain, nausea, depression, and anxiety can all contribute to lack of appetite from treatment, and the care team should be alerted of any of these additional symptoms.

Managing Loss of Appetite

There are many tactics for coping with loss of appetite, and each patient often has a unique combination that works for them. To find what works, it can be helpful to keep track of all of the food eaten during the day and count the calories for each item, along with weight tracking.

  • Choose high-calorie foods and beverages
  • Eat small, frequent meals and snack regularly
  • Try new foods or something different
  • Eat when most hungry
  • Eat high-calorie foods first
  • Avoid diet and low-fat foods
  • Keep snacks on-hand at all times, when at home and on-the-go
  • Drink liquids separately from meals, because they can be filling
  • Choose soft foods and liquids when not feeling well