Loss Of Appetite Due To Chemotherapy

Key points about loss of appetite due to chemotherapy

• loss of appetite for food (anorexia) is one of the most common problems caused by cancer treatment
• as well as losing their appetite, your child may feel full after only a few bites of food
• weight loss is a common side effect and your child's healthcare team will monitor weight carefully during treatment

Why do some children having chemotherapy lose their appetite?

Loss of appetite for food, known as anorexia, is one of the most common problems caused by cancer treatment. It is understandable if your child doesn't feel hungry while they are suffering uncomfortable side effects such as:

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea or constipation
• an altered sense of smell or taste
• mouth sores

Your child may also experience a side effect called early filling. This is when they feel full after only a few bites of food. It can lead to weight loss. Weight loss is a common side effect, and your child's healthcare team will monitor weight carefully throughout treatment.

What can I do to encourage an appetite in my child having cancer treatment?

If you are worried about your child not getting enough to eat, here are some suggestions for encouraging an appetite:

• your child may be reluctant to eat if they have a sore mouth
• allow your child access to food at all times - 'grazing' is OK
• try not to worry as you can use the time between treatments to make up for lost eating

Your child may also have indigestion. If so, speak to your doctor who can give medicine to help. Chewing food well and resting after eating can help minimise indigestion too. If your child is producing a lot of saliva, encourage them to spit it out rather than swallowing it.

See some suggestions that may help if your child has a sore mouth due to chemotherapy

How can I make sure my child having cancer treatment has enough calories?

You could try the following:  

• offer 5 or 6 mini meals a day, rather than 3 normal sized meals a day
• make healthy high-energy snacks for your child to eat between meals - see some ideas below
• give nourishing drinks for your child to sip slowly throughout the day - see some ideas below
• keep serve sizes smaller than usual - this can be more appetising
• add butter, cream or grated cheese to foods if your child can manage them, to increase the number of calories in the meal

Read more about side effects of treatment

High energy snack ideas

• crackers with cheese and butter, peanut butter or cheese spread
• pikelets or pancakes with jam or chocolate spread
• popcorn with butter or icing sugar
• quick-cooking noodles with butter or cream and grated cheese
• ice-cream, even better in a cone
• mini muffins
• corn chips with melted cheese
• dips (such as avocado with sour cream or cream cheese base) served with chips or vegetables
• biscuits or chunks of fresh fruit with a sweet dip (such as cream cheese and chocolate or chocolate spread)
• banana cut into rounds and rolled in coconut or powdered chocolate flavouring such as Milo
• waffles with maple syrup
• toasted fruit bread with butter
• cream-based soup like cream of pumpkin or cream of tomato
• little tubs of custards or yoghurts – stir in a teaspoon of cream for extra calories
• breakfast cereal with milk and cream
• pizza slices or fingers

High energy drink ideas

• milkshakes - full cream milk with added ice cream, cream or yoghurt and flavouring
• fruit smoothies - banana or strawberries blended with milk
• yogurt smoothies - fruit juice, yogurt and fresh fruit mixed
• supplements for adding to drinks - your child's dietitian will give you advice about these

How can I encourage my child to eat if they're having chemotherapy?

Even when your child is having cancer treatment, you can usually continue your family routines at mealtimes.

Even when your child is having cancer treatment, you can usually continue your family routines at mealtimes. Sharing this time together can shift the focus away from food and can help lessen and disguise feelings of anxiety. Sometimes though, parents and caregivers find that flexibility is the way to promote a relaxed atmosphere.

The following are some ideas that may make it easier for your child to eat and for you to feel positive:

• tell your child they have done well, even if they eat only a small amount
• present food in new and different ways - try things like fancy drinking straws, decorated cups and plates, food cut into interesting shapes
• invite your child to help prepare food with you
• try to keep the normal mealtime routine for your family and encourage sitting with the rest of the family to talk
• introduce some fun meals like picnics, video nights and party settings where your child can help choose the foods served
• use the time when your child is feeling well to boost their food intake

What can I do if I am worried about my child's eating during their cancer treatment?

Phone the hospital and speak to your child's doctor or dietitian if you need more help.

Read more about childhood cancer