Rajesh Kumar Rajesh Kumar Asked 7 months ago

What foods are good for cancer patients with no appetite?

My uncle is undergoing chemotherapy, and he has almost no appetite. It's really worrying us because he's losing so much weight. Could you suggest some foods that are easy to eat and good for cancer patients who don't feel like eating much?

7

7 answers

Shalini Gupta Shalini Gupta Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago
Most liked

When my son was undergoing treatment, he had no appetite at all. We found that liquid diets worked best – smoothies with nuts and fruits, clear soups, and homemade milkshakes with protein powder (doctor approved). Small, frequent sips were better than trying to eat a whole meal.

Vikram Desai Vikram Desai Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

It's really tough when you lose your appetite, I understand how frustrating that can be. For cancer patients, it’s even harder. Focus on nutrient-dense foods, even in small amounts. Maybe things like pureed soups or soft custards could help. Just getting some calories in is important.

Sarla Devi Sarla Devi Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

Gaon mein hum log aise mein patla khichdi, moong dal ka paani, ya sabzi ka soup dete hain. Jo aasani se hazam ho jaye aur thodi taakat bhi de. Thoda thoda karke khilao, zyada zor nahi dena.

Powered by

Consult a radiation oncologist

Rohit Das Rohit Das Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

This is so hard. My relative also struggled a lot with this. Did anyone else find that very cold foods or slightly tangy foods helped sometimes? I heard that some patients prefer very cold things when they feel nauseous, like popsicles or chilled fruit juices. Is that a common experience?

Divya Prakash Divya Prakash Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

I totally get it, losing your appetite when you need strength the most is heartbreaking. For patients with very little desire to eat, focus on high-calorie, nutrient-dense fluids. Think fortified milkshakes, gentle protein shakes, or smooth pureed soups. Sometimes even just small sips of juice or broth throughout the day can make a difference.

Related reads

All articles
Anjali Bose Anjali Bose Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

No appetite? Honestly, sometimes even I feel like that after a bad night's sleep, haha. But for cancer patients, it's serious. My advice would be super soft things like mashed potatoes, or maybe some yummy kheer if they can tolerate a little sweetness. Anything to get some calories in, even if it's not a lot.

Kabir Khan Kabir Khan Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Oh, no appetite is the worst! Even for me, if I'm unwell, I crave something comforting. Maybe try making interesting smoothies with different fruits and a touch of honey? Or very light, flavourful broths. Sometimes a little bit of what you fancy, even just a spoonful, is better than nothing.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.