Influencing food acceptance in anorexic cancer patients

Poor appetite seen in adult and pediatric cancer patients may respond to changes in the temperature, flavor, and consistency of foods, to timing of meal service, and to other dietetic maneuvers. Maximizing food intake for inpatients and outpatients by anticipating probable changes in food acceptance during various therapies can help to increase tolerance to therapy, stabilize weight, and perhaps prevent or delay more heroic means of nutritional intervention.