Key points about loss of appetite due to chemotherapy
- loss of appetite for food (anorexia) is one of the most common problems caused by cancer treatment
- as well as losing their appetite, your child may feel full after only a few bites of food
- weight loss is a common side effect and your child's healthcare team will monitor weight carefully during treatment
Why appetite changes happen
Chemotherapy can affect how your child feels about food. They may not feel hungry (anorexia), or they might feel full after just a few bites. This can be caused by:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhoea or constipation
- changes in smell or taste
- mouth sores
Some tamariki experience a side effect called early filling - they feel full very quickly. This can lead to weight loss and is why regular monitoring by your healthcare team is important.
Supporting your child's appetite
If your child isn’t eating much, here are some gentle ways to encourage them:
- let them eat when they feel like it - 'grazing' is OK
- offer food often, even if it's juts small bites
- if they have a sore mouth, soft and moist foods might help
- don't worry too much - there may be times between treatments when they eat more and catch up
If your child has indigestion, talk to the healthcare team. Chewing food well and resting after meals can help. If your child is producing a lot of saliva, encourage them to spit it out rather than swallowing it.
If your child isn’t eating much, there are some gentle ways to encourage them.
Making meals more appealing
Small frequent meals
- offer 5 or 6 'mini meals' a day, instead of 3 large ones
- keep portions small - this can feel less overwhelming
- add butter, cream or grated cheese to foods (if tolerated) to boost energy
High energy snack ideas
Here are some snack ideas that are easy to eat and packed with energy:
- crackers with cheese, butter or peanut butter
- pikelets or pancakes with jam or chocolate spread
- popcorn with butter or icing sugar
- quick-cooking noodles with grated cheese
- ice-cream (especially in a cone)
- mini muffins or pizza fingers
- toasted fruit bread with butter
- corn chips with melted cheese
- dips like avocado or cream cheese served with chips or veggie sticks
- biscuits or chunks of fresh fruit with a sweet dip (such as cream cheese and chocolate or chocolate spread)
- banana slices rolled in coconut or drinking chocolate (such as Milo)
- waffles with maple syrup
- cream-based soup like cream of pumpkin or cream of tomato
- custards or yoghurt
- breakfast cereal with milk and cream
High energy drinks
- milkshakes with full cream milk, ice cream, cream, or yoghurt and flavouring
- fruit smoothies (such as banana or strawberries with milk)
- yogurt smoothies with juice and fresh fruit
- nutritional supplements - your child's dietitian will give you advice about these
Keeping mealtimes positive
Even when your child is having cancer treatment, you can usually continue your family routines at mealtimes.
Even during treatment, try to keep family mealtimes relaxed and familiar. Sharing meals can help shift the focus away from food and reduce anxiety.
Here are some ideas to make eating more enjoyable:
- praise your child for any effort, even small bites
- use fun cups, plates, straws, or cut food into interesting shapes
- invite your child to help prepare food with you
- keep your usual mealtime when possible
- try themed meals like picnic or movie nights
- use times when your child feels well to boost their intake
When to seek help
If you’re worried about your child’s eating or weight, contact your healthcare team. Your child’s doctor or dietitian can offer support and advice tailored to your child’s needs.
More information
Read more about side effects of treatment.
Acknowledgements
All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the clinical leader of the National Child Cancer Network.
