How can I eat when I have no appetite during cancer treatment?

Appetite loss is a common side effect of cancer and its treatments, but there are practical ways to keep eating even when you don't feel hungry.

The National Cancer Institute suggests eating foods high in protein and calories, and eating those high-protein foods first when your appetite is strongest. Instead of three big meals, try small meals every 2 to 3 hours—about 5 or 6 a day—and set an alarm if you tend to forget. Eating within an hour of waking and having a bedtime snack can help too.

When solid food is hard, drink milkshakes, smoothies, juices, or soups, and use whole milk or yogurt to add calories. Nutrition supplement drinks like Ensure or Boost between meals can help you get enough calories and protein. Adding cheese, creamy sauces, beans, or leftover meat to foods boosts nutrition, and making eating pleasant—with music or the company of loved ones—can help.

If you can't keep your appetite up, ask your doctor about appetite stimulants, which are medicines that increase appetite. And if you start to lose weight, speak with your doctor right away—report weight loss of more than 3 to 5 pounds in one week. A registered dietitian can build a plan that fits you.