Connect
Food suggestions after permanent loss of smell
My husband is 81 and just had sinus cancer surgery. His olfactory nerve had to be severed and his interest in eating is now very low. I need your experienced suggestions for foods that have shown to be stimulating in other ways and will keep him chewing. I'm currently approaching it from a texture or temperature angle, as well as the theory of spicier or fermented foods having an extrasensory effect that at least allows him to have some kind of experience. Thank you for any input! (crossposted in Head and Neck Cancer)
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.
Connect
I have had 41 sinus surgeries, and I lost my sense of smell and taste about 25 years ago.
My eating habits have been terrible for years. I eat for texture instead of taste or smell. Mostly, I eat cheeseburgers. I don't recommend that. I have recently found a meal replacement smoothie with all the vitamins, minerals, and superfoods that a body needs. It is called KaChava. I get what my doctor calls phantom cravings for foods. I liked when I could smell and taste them. I crave things like strawberry ice cream, cheese, and cheeseburgers. My brain tells me that I can taste those foods but technically, I cannot. I have tried to force myself to eat a good diet but I can't if it doesn't pass the texture test.
Also, I don't usually eat until my stomach tells me to. That is a habit that I have had to force myself to get out of because I was only eating one meal a day. I take a multivitamin and drink a KaChava smoothie every morning. I wish your husband good luck because it's very tough to force yourself to eat. To some people, this seems like a small problem, but it can be a huge problem that, over time, can cause other health concerns from not meeting your nutritional needs.