When you just can't eat

There may be times when you feel you just can’t eat. If food doesn’t appeal to you, or you become too tired or nauseated to eat, it may be difficult to meet all of your nutrition needs from food and drinks alone. If you can’t eat for more than a couple of days, talk to your healthcare team. They might recommend some of the following alternatives.

Commercial nutrition supplements

Commercial nutrition supplements are a good source of calories and nutrients. They come in a variety of flavours and forms, including a ready-to-use beverage (similar to a milkshake), a powder, a pudding or a bar. Experiment to find one that is right for you.

Many pharmacies and grocery stores sell commercial nutrition supplements. You do not need a doctor’s prescription to buy them. Some provincial and private healthcare insurance plans may cover the cost under certain conditions.

Talk to a registered dietitian if you think that you will need to rely on commercial nutrition supplements more than food.

Feeding tubes

If it becomes too difficult for you to eat or drink, and you lose a lot of weight, your healthcare team may suggest using a feeding tube to help meet your nutrition needs. A feeding tube is a thin, flexible tube that is placed directly into the stomach or intestines. Once the tube is in place, liquid nutrition supplements can be given through it. Your dietitian will determine how much of the supplements you need each day.

Vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements

The best way to obtain vitamins, minerals or other nutrients is by eating healthy foods. Cancer and its treatments may make it difficult to eat healthily for an extended period of time. A daily vitamin and mineral supplement may be recommended. Talk to your doctor to see if vitamin and mineral supplements are appropriate and safe to use, especially if you are having chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Some people consider using nutritional supplements or “natural” health products. “Natural” does not always mean safe. These products may also interfere with other medications or treatments. Always talk to your doctor about nutritional supplements or natural health products before taking them.

Last modified on: 13 September 2011