(Information extracted from Julie C. (2009). Eating well: A practical guide for people living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. Lilian D, (Ed.). Australia: Leukaemia Foundation.)
Many people find that food just doesn’t taste or smell the same as it did before treatment. It can take some time for your sense of taste and smell to return to normal. In the meantime you could try to improve the taste and smell by trying some of the suggestions below.
Tips on improving your sense of taste and smell:
- Keep your mouth clean and fresh (clean your teeth before and after eating if you can)
- Enhance the taste of food by adding garlic or fresh herbs while cooking
- Avoid smells you find unpleasant
- Use plastic utensils if some food taste metallic
- Try sugar-free lemon drops or mints if you have a metallic taste in your mouth
- Choose a different type of protein if you develop a strong dislike for a particular meat such as chicken, fish, tofu, eggs, nuts and cheese
- Try citrus fruits
- Make food look, smell and taste more appealing
