What foods worked best during chemo & radiation for throat cancer?

Hello @jxssicascott. Since everyone experiences different taste changes it may take some trial and error to find what tastes good. Then you can use additives for more nutrition. For me it was fruit smoothies. Peach was in season and a favorite, though frozen peaches sufficed also. I mixed with whole milk, ricotta or cottage cheese, yogurt, and some whey protein powder (I used Levels brand with no flavor or sweetener). You can adjust the amount of liquid to find the consistency that works. Bland foods like mashed potatoes and Cream of Wheat went down well. You can make them as thin as needed. I loved a slushy mocha coffee drink from Panera, which they no longer offer, for 500 calories. Warm tea and lots of honey was soothing. Now I would use a Manuka Honey, which I did not know about 13 years ago. It may help healing. I buy Bees and Trees on Amazon and use it daily.
SPOHNC is a head and neck support group and they publish a couple of recipe books for sale. http://www.spohnc.org

I’m sorry your dad is going through this, treatments like these can make eating really difficult. Soft, creamy foods are often easier to tolerate, such as creamy soups, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, mac and cheese, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla is usually easier than fruit flavors). Smoothies can be especially helpful; a peanut butter and banana smoothie with a bit of protein powder can pack a lot of nutrition, and it’s easy to get 500–800 calories in a single drink.

To help reduce the metallic taste, try avoiding metal utensils and cups, as those can make the taste worse.

@dbkissel, your post reminds me of a member spotlight we did of fellow Head & Neck Cancer member @alpaca
- Who Can Resist Ice Cream With Chocolate on Top: Meet @alpaca https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/who-can-resist-ice-cream-with-chocolate-on-top-meet-alpaca/

How far are you out from treatment now? How are you doing?

@jxssicascott sorry meant Dad.

@jxssicascott I'm sorry I just reread my response and it did sound accusatory. I apologize. I didn't mean for it to sound like you were not compassionate. I realize how frustrated you must be because you are trying to help and care for your husband and can't. I pray you find some foods he likes and that you get some peace during this difficult time. Again sorry!

My throat and tongue were on fire. I froze high calorie Boost and ate it like ice cream. Kept me off of a feeding tube and not drastic weight loss.

Not much tastes good when you are on chemotherapy. One soup that seemed easily digestible because of the rice noodles was pho. If you can find a restaurant who can make a non salty, no chili spice added he might enjoy a bit.
I hope he feels better soon!

All my best 💕

@jxssicascott The stricture(s) are not cured or eliminated and may need repeated dilations. But they may enable more intake,

I drank an Ensure shake with protein powder added every morning . Boiled egg minched up on the side. My lunch was creamy peanut butter and jelly ( to make it go down)and Banana if possible. Dinner was eggs anyway, soups, baby food. very creamy mashed potatoes with butter, etc This was my menu for my entire treatment . I tried to make anything I ate count so to speak. I would take me 45 minutes to eat each meal very slowly. He may find something that he can tolerate. I still lost 20 pounds but held fairly steady at that point. God Speed. I will get better. Today I am eating anything I want.

To alleviate the metallic tastes, try using nonmetallic silverware. I used wooden/bamboo and plastic (IKEA ) cutlery when things tasted metallic. Premier Protein drinks had more protein and way less sugar/corn syrup than other brands. Instant mashed potatoes was something I could tolerate and also cream of wheat when swallowing felt like having razor blades in my throat. Dipping toast or dry foods like a cookie in coffee or tea helped me swallow. Ginger infusions, herbal teas with ginger and turmeric helped with the metallic taste of things. Sipping cups of ginger honey crystals — hot or cold (Prince of Peace brand) helped with nausea and the metallic taste of things. Now I see there is also a lemon ginger flavor.
Your dad is blessed to have you and your mom and sister providing such good care for him.