25 e s • Avoid alcohol and hot, spicy foods or liquids. • Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and drinks and fizzy soft drinks. • Avoid hard, dry foods such as crackers, pretzels, nuts, and chips. • Sit upright to eat and drink, and stay that way for several minutes after meals. • If mouth pain is a problem, ask your doctor about using a numbing gel or pain reliever. • If you gag, cough, or choke when swallowing, ask about seeing a speech-language pathologist or swallowing therapist. These are health care professionals who can teach you how to swallow safely and how to decrease coughing and choking when you eat and drink. • Try thickening products like gelatin, tapioca, flour, cornstarch, and baby rice cereal. • Ask your cancer care team or dietitian about other foods or drinks you should consume or avoid. Taste and smell changes Cancer and its treatments can change your senses of taste and smell. These changes can affect your appetite and are often described as a bitter or metallic taste, food tasting too salty or sweet, or food not having much taste. If you’re having these problems, try foods, marinades, spices, drinks, and ways of preparing foods that are different from those you usually use.
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