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Beyond thirsty: Tips on drinks that taste good while in treatment?
I just finished my 6 weeks of chemotherapy and have only a handful of radiation treatments remaining (8) and to say it’s been a living nightmare is an understatement, but I knew what to expect and feel like I’ve dealt with it all reasonably well.
My question is this, is there any thing I can drink that taste as close to natural as can be?
Nothing I’ve tried is really going to well due to metallic taste or no taste at all. I’m using a feeding tube for my nutrition and it’s going good, I’m retaining my weight and don’t really think of solid foods most of the time but I would give anything to be able to drink something that has a good taste as this is what I’m missing the most.
If anyone can suggest something, I’m all ears. I feel like I’ve tried everything the Drs and nurses and the internet have suggested to no avail. I’d like to hear from others who have actually been through this. Any and all help appreciated, thank you.
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My husband tried BBQ ribs from local Chinese restaurant, they were the only food he could taste for a while. Also strawberry flavor ensure. Hope your healing continues.
Sorry what you are going through. During radiation and loss of taste I drank tons of green tea. I couldn't taste it but it was soothing. When I regained taste I found I hate the taste of green tea. I also ate chicken ramen noodle soup with egg added, like egg drop soup. I could taste it a bit. Most folks regain taste although some things may never taste the same again....you adapt. Hope you return to full health shortly.
My experience is you will have zero to limited taste for two or three weeks after you are finished with radiation. Yes, I said after you are finished. And those first few days after the final zap you will probably continue downhill, feeling like you are below the bottom of feeling like crap. That said, salt is often the first taste to return. In my case it brought tears of joy, being at least something I could taste. By one month post I had all the taste senses returned but with limitations and slight alterations, which remain years later.
Eat what you can, calories and proteins. Eat a whole pie if you wish. There is little if anything you shouldn’t eat. Keep that weight on and give yourself what you need to heal from the damage of your cure. Let’s get you past the two month post mark.
I have a feeding tube and eating and drinking are both denied. However when the need to taste a drink occurs I find a mouth full of whatever swished around for a few minutes (until it gets nasty) provides some brief yet fleeting satisfaction.
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1 Reaction@randyu I'm afraid that the radiation damage to taste buds is rather unpredictable. I was able to eat and drink during treatment and the only thing that tasted good to me was a sweet frozen coffee mocha drink from Panera. Somehow those flavors remained identifiable to me, although chocolate itself tasted terrible. I used different fruit flavors in smoothies also with some success with taste. Peach and strawberry were the favorites. Often it was just drink it because of nutrition needed, not because it tastes good. Keep trying different flavors of water and maybe you will hit on one you can taste. What about kombucha? That sour taste might be tolerable.
Hi @randyu,
In the past others mentioned ACES + Zn? supplement. If you google it contains vitamins A, C, E selenium and zinc. They thought it helped regain taste faster. In addition, someone mentioned putting fresh Ginger on your tongue before eating and spitting it out.
Best,
Rob
@randyu, I hope you saw the tips fellow members offered. How are you doing as you continue treatment? Have you found any liquids that taste good enough to be tolerable and quench that thirst?
I have squamous cell carcinoma. In 2025 I had surgery to remove 27 lymph nodes from my neck. Then I received radiation on my neck. I bought an ice cream maker to make real Ice cream. Flavors unlimited!! Bodyarmor Flash I.V. is great. over 2,200 electrolytes. Bone broth is good too. I have many issues with eating after radiation; all I can say is just keep trying. My Dr gave my Lidocaine and that help after surgery for swallowing. My loss of taste and/or the metal taste varies every day for me.