Eat healthy, non-greasy foods that are easier to digest.
When you are sick with illnesses such as cancer, gallbladder disease or even depression, your appetite is often negatively affected. However, as much as you might resent the thought of eating, it is very important to keep your caloric intake steady and eat enough vitamins and protein to help you get back to good health. When you don't have a good appetite, stick to easy-to-swallow foods that don't have a lot of flavor or smell - a lot of people get nauseous just by the overpowering smell of flavorful food.
Meal Replacement Shakes
Meal replacement shakes are specially designed beverages that contain high amounts of calories, nutrients and vitamins. When you don't have a large appetite, even chewing and putting food in your mouth is enough to make you feel nauseous. Also, for cancer patients, the smell of cooked food is often what puts them off eating. Meal replacement shakes are odorless, can be drank quickly in a few mouthfuls, and ensure you get the calories and nutrients you need.
Soups
Much like meal replacement shakes, soups are a good way to consume calories and nutrients without having to smell or chew food. Many protein powders and additives can be included in soup to make it a suitable meal replacement. Unlike meal replacement drinks, which only come in a few basic flavors, there is no limit to the types of soup you can make. This provides variety and prevents you from getting bored of eating the same thing day after day.
Room Temperature or Cold Food
If the smell of food makes you feel ill, eat food kept at room temperature, or chilled in the fridge. Food at these temperatures has much less odor than freshly prepared food and does not turn you off eating. Select foods that don't have a strong flavor, such as bread or chilled meats. Cold food that is smooth, like ice cream or pudding, is also a good choice because it doesn't have a strong smell or taste and doesn't require a lot of chewing.
Snacks
When you're not hungry, the thought of eating a large meal in one sitting is a daunting task. Instead of forcing yourself to eat three times a day, eat small snacks every few hours. Breaking up your meals into smaller snack-sized portions makes it seem like you're eating less food when, in fact, you might be eating more. Eat snacks that are easy to digest but contain healthy fats and nutrients such as granola bars, hard boiled eggs, fruit and nuts.
