| Taste Changes
GMHC'S Nutrition & Wellness Program
Taste changes can impair the enjoyment of food and limit the types
and amounts of food eaten. This can result in inadequate calorie
and protein intake and can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Therefore, it is important to manage taste changes when they arise.
CAUSES OF TASTE CHANGES
- Medications
- Mouth or Throat Infections
- Aging
COMMON TASTE CHANGES
- A bitter or metallic taste, especially foods from the meat or
dairy food groups.
- A numbness in the mouth that can block some tastes.
- Difficulty tasting sweet foods.
- Bitter foods taste unusually strong.
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH TASTE CHANGES
- Rinse with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in one cup of warm water
before meals.
- During meals, drink liquids. Sherbet or sorbet may also help
cleanse your palate.
- Eat a sprig of parsley after meals. Parsley is a natural deodorizer.
- Rinse your mouth with lemon added to water. This may reduce
metallic tastes.
- Try eating with plastic utensils.
- Consume small, frequent, meals.
- Talk to your dentist about special mouthwashes, good mouth care,
and to rule out any dental problems that may be causing bad taste.
- Eat in a relaxed manner.
- Enhance food presentation.
COOKING TIPS TO HELP IMPROVE THE TASTE OF FOODS
- Try marinating meats, fish, and poultry in sweet, sour, or spicy
liquids such as barbecue sauce, soy sauce, lemon & garlic, fruit
juices, or Italian dressing.
- Try flavoring meats with herbs. Some herb suggestions for beef
include: oregano, garlic, parsley, or rosemary. For chicken: garlic,
basil, tarragon, sage, or curry. For fish: garlic, ginger, dill,
lemon, or soy sauce.
- Try substituting eggs, beans, nuts/nutbutter, soy products,
fish, or chicken for meats if they are unpalatable to help meet
your protein needs.
- Try incorporating meats into mixed dishes like chilis, stir-fries,
soups, and casseroles.
- Try adding onion, fresh herbs, garlic, spices, toasted nuts,
and/or olive oil to flavor your vegetables.
- Try cooking with sweeteners or adding them to food. Use honey,
brown sugar, molasses, or fruit juices on meats and/or vegetables
to add flavor.
- Try salting your food and/or using condiments such as mustard,
relish, vinegar, lemon juice, salsa, tahini, pickles, or olives.
Be aware that salt may need to be restricted for those who suffer
from high blood pressure.
- Try serving foods at room temperature. This can help maximize
flavor. If flavors are too strong, try serving foods at a cold
temperature.
Revised 4/03
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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