Food substitute

Hi Micmart,

When I first started treatment I had no appetite so I bought some Complan. There are also drinks like Ensure which provide calories and vitamins. Apart from that I ate and drank whatever I could face which meant mostly ice-cream and cocoa with full fat milk.

These helped to keep my weight fairly stable and my appetite did return and is now normal.

I'm sure others on here will have plenty of helpful suggestions.

Vicki x

Thank you Vicki x

Hi Micmart

Sorry to hear your husband has lost his appetite whilst on chemo.

There are posts on the forums quite often for this situation, so if you put loss of appetite in the search box, it should come up with previous posts.

Smoothies are a good way to take in nutrition, and you can add extra protein powder. Maybe your husband could try these? Home-made smoothies are better than shop-bought protein drinks, in my experience.

You could discuss this problem with the oncology team...they may be able to 'tweak' your husband's medication so that his appetite improves. It would certainly be a good idea to let them know that he is struggling to eat.

Hope the situation improves soon!

xxxx Kate

Thank you Kate we are seeing Oncologist next Tuesday xx

How are you at home made soups? And, freezer space? I have often made a batch of vegetable soup and frozen into portions. Add a little pepper to give taste, just before serving, and some chopped parsley for the same reason. I also add grated Emmental to mine. Soup slips down easily and gives both fluid which is important, and balanced nutrition. Along with the smoothies that someone else suggested, that would give him a very balanced diet without even trying. I too would have said Complan but have gone off processed shop bought products. However, it's also a nutritionally well balanced product, for a change/rest from the home made foods. 

Thank you so much that is a great idea xx