Overcoming poor appetite
Many people with pancreatic cancer lose weight. This can be because of the cancer or its treatment. Your appetite or sense of taste may be affected, and you may not absorb food as efficiently.
If you can’t manage to eat much or you are trying to gain or maintain your weight, there are ways to take in more energy (kilojoules/calories) without having to eat more food.
Meal Tips:
- Eat small snacks frequently e.g. every two hours.
- Have your biggest meal of the day when you are hungriest.
- Planning your meals is important so that you don’t skip meals and will help you to make better food choices. Use a food timetable to keep track of all your meals and snacks
- Keep meal and snack times interesting, enjoy a wide variety of foods and flavours (as tolerated)
- Add ‘extras’ to your basic foods at meal times. For example:
- Include good quality protein such as fish (e.g salmon, tuna, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring) lean meats, dairy or soy products, nuts, seeds or add a protein powder.
- Include high calorie, good quality fat sources (as tolerated), such as avocado, cook with olive, canola, peanut and sesame oils, try nut/seed butters or grind nuts/seeds and add to food
- Speak to a dietitian about high calorie nutritional drinks and products which may be used to accompany meals.
- Relax dietary restrictions. Gaining weight or maintaining your weight is more important when you have pancreatic cancer than avoiding extra amounts of fat and sugar.
- Eat in a comfortable relaxed place.
- Chew slowly, do not chew and talk at the same time which can mean swallowing extra air causing gas.
- Engage in light exercise before eating as this may help to stimulate appetite
- To work out if you are eating enough, you can weigh yourself once or twice a week to see if your weight is stable or check with a dietitian.
Ideas for Quick Meals
- Tuna or sardines on wholegrain toast with fresh tomato and basil
- Fruit smoothies - try adding natural yoghurt, nuts, seeds and/or a protein powder
- Soup served with fresh bread - e.g. chicken/vegetable
- Sandwiches with your favourite fillings
- Salmon, tuna or egg salad and a wholegrain roll
- Scrambled or poached eggs on toast with avocado
- Vegetable and fetta cheese omelette
- Wholemeal pasta with a ready made sauce
- Prepare casseroles, soup and desserts and freeze them in individual portions
Snack Ideas
- Celery/carrot sticks with ricotta, cream cheese or hummus
- Cheese and crackers
- Toasted sandwiches - fillings could include salmon, tuna, egg, or avocado
- Yoghurt with crushed nuts and seeds
- Museli and health food bars
- Fresh or tinned fruit, served with yoghurt or natural ice-cream
- Soups
- Dried fruit and nuts (as tolerated)
- Muffins, fruit buns and raisin toast
- Fresh fruit and vegetable juices
