![\"Photograph](\"https:\/\/getpalliativecare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Photo-of-friends-enjoying-a-meal-together-1024x683.jpg\")
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If you or someone you\u00a0care\u00a0for is living with a serious illness, you may\u00a0have noticed a change in\u00a0appetite.\u00a0This is common, whether\u00a0it\u00a0shows up as\u00a0smaller portions, less interest in favorite foods, or skipping meals altogether.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This can be hard on more than just the body.\u00a0Food is tied to who we are\u00a0and to\u00a0our culture. For some of us, it may be how we show love, whether\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0cooking for someone or sharing\u00a0a meal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To learn more, we spoke with Rima Itani Al-Nimr, MS, RD, LD, a\u00a0registered dietitian\u00a0with\u00a0years\u00a0of\u00a0experience working with patients and families.\u00a0Here\u2019s\u00a0what she wants\u00a0you to\u00a0know.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Appetite changes are a common part of serious illness, and they can happen for more than one reason.\u00a0The cause is\u00a0usually\u00a0a symptom of the illness itself, or\u00a0because of\u00a0treatment like chemotherapy. This might\u00a0mean\u00a0nausea, an upset stomach, or food that suddenly tastes different, even metallic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fatiga<\/a>, ansiedad<\/a>, and\u00a0mood changes\u00a0can play a role,\u00a0too. When you move\u00a0less, your appetite tends to go down along with it. And sometimes,\u00a0if\u00a0you’re\u00a0so focused on\u00a0appointments and\u00a0treatment,\u00a0eating\u00a0may\u00a0quietly fall\u00a0to the bottom of the list.<\/span><\/p>\n l<\/span>et your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pall<\/span>iative\u00a0<\/span>cuidado<\/span>\u00a0tea<\/span>m<\/span>\u00a0(or\u00a0<\/span>another<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>docto<\/span>r if you\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> have one yet)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>know if you notice any changes in your appetite.\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>hey\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>here t<\/span>o help you navigate\u00a0<\/span>this<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>along with any other symptoms<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>o\u00a0<\/span>challenges you may face<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>That might\u00a0<\/span>mean connecting you with a\u00a0<\/span>registered<\/span>\u00a0dietitian<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>they may have one at the hospital or medical center<\/span>)<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0another resource in your\u00a0<\/span>community<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A registered dietitian can help figure out\u00a0<\/span>why<\/span>\u00a0your appetite\u00a0<\/span>is changing<\/span>\u00a0and offer ideas that fit your taste,\u00a0<\/span>life, and<\/span>\u00a0culture or\u00a0<\/span>religion<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>F<\/span>ood<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>es<\/span>\u00a0personal,\u00a0<\/span>so<\/span>\u00a0this kind of one-on-one help can make a real difference.\u00a0<\/span>If you work with a registered dietitian,\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019<\/span>ll<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>meet with<\/span>\u00a0them to set\u00a0<\/span>food and\u00a0<\/span>nutrici\u00f3n\u00a0<\/span>goals and\u00a0<\/span>build a plan,\u00a0<\/span>so you<\/span>r body gets what it needs<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n You may come across a lot of\u00a0food and nutrition\u00a0advice online,\u00a0or from friends and family,\u00a0who may have opinions\u00a0about what you should and\u00a0shouldn’t\u00a0eat.\u00a0If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0living with a\u00a0serious illness,\u00a0Rima\u00a0says\u00a0it’s\u00a0best to let most of that go. “One approach doesn’t fit everyone,” she explains. What matters\u00a0most is eating what sounds good to you\u00a0in\u00a0the moment,\u00a0as long as\u00a0it’s\u00a0safe\u00a0to eat and fits with what you discussed with your\u00a0care team.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “What matters most is eating what sounds good to you in the moment.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Some days that might mean choosing food with more\u00a0nutrients.\u00a0Other days, it might mean a favorite treat.\u00a0Basically, there\u00a0is\u00a0no \u201cbad\u201d or \u201cgood\u201d food.\u00a0The goal\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0to have\u00a0a perfect diet.\u00a0It’s\u00a0about\u00a0getting through moments when appetite is\u00a0low, since\u00a0appetite\u00a0changes tend\u00a0to come and go rather than stay low forever.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If\u00a0getting\u00a0to a registered dietitian\u2019s office\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0an option,\u00a0consider asking your\u00a0palliative\u00a0care team\u00a0(or\u00a0another doctor)\u00a0about\u00a0medically tailored meals.\u00a0If\u00a0you\u00a0qualify\u00a0and you\u00a0receive a referral,\u00a0you may be\u00a0able\u00a0to have\u00a0prepared meals delivered directly to your home,\u00a0based on what your body needs. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you are having trouble with grocery shopping or\u00a0accessing food,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0important to let your\u00a0palliative care\u00a0team\u00a0know.\u00a0They\u2019ll\u00a0help connect you with food resources nearby (in addition to\u00a0these\u00a0fifteen programs<\/a>).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is\u00a0also\u00a0okay\u00a0to accept help from family and friends when you are going through\u00a0a difficult time. When people ask how they can help, consider\u00a0giving them specific ideas,\u00a0such as\u00a0<\/span>setting up a meal train<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to ensure you have meals available when you\u00a0are unable to\u00a0prepare them yourself.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s okay to accept help when you’re going through a difficult time.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Cuidados paliativos<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0es\u00a0<\/span>specialized<\/span>\u00a0medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve\u00a0<\/span>quality<\/span>\u00a0of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists who work together with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is\u00a0<\/span>appropriate at<\/span>\u00a0any age and at any stage\u00a0<\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ObtengaCuidadosPaliativos.org<\/span><\/a>\u00a0es un recurso en l\u00ednea para pacientes y familias que se enfoca en brindar informaci\u00f3n sobre cuidados paliativos desde el punto de diagn\u00f3stico. En GetPalliativeCare.org, puede tomar una\u00a0<\/span>cuestionario corto<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to see whether you could\u00a0benefit\u00a0from palliative care and\u00a0<\/span>encontrar un proveedor cercano<\/span><\/a>. El sitio es proporcionado por el Centro para Avances en Cuidados Paliativos.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Please note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your health care provider before making changes to your diet or nutrition.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you or someone you\u00a0care\u00a0for is living with a serious illness, you may\u00a0have noticed a change in\u00a0appetite.\u00a0This is common, whether\u00a0it\u00a0shows up as\u00a0smaller portions, less interest in favorite foods, or skipping meals altogether.\u00a0\u00a0 This can be hard on more than just the body.\u00a0Food is tied to who we are\u00a0and to\u00a0our culture. For some of us, it … <\/p>","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[5575,5577,5574,5377,1756,5578,1758,5576],"class_list":["post-62694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","tag-appetite-loss","tag-changing-appetite","tag-loss-of-appetite","tag-nutrition","tag-quality-of-life","tag-registered-dietitian","tag-serious-illness","tag-trouble-eating"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Your Appetite May Be Changing<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
When to Talk to Your\u00a0<\/span>Palliative\u00a0<\/span>Care Team<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Ask About a Registered Dietitian<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
There’s No Wrong Way to Eat Right Now<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Find Support Close to Home<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u00bfQu\u00e9 son los cuidados paliativos?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Acerca de GetPalliativeCare.org<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n