Programs and Services

Nutrition Services

Lack of Appetite, Nausea and Vomiting

• Treat as indicated with anti-nausea medications. Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or nurse.
• Ginger: add chopped dried extracts into tea two to three times daily – 940mg powdered ginger root once daily for nausea prevention; 250mg root four times daily for nausea management. If you are on Coumadin or other blood thinners, talk to the nutritionist about the appropriate quantity to consume.
• Try small frequent snacks of bland foods such as oatmeal, plain pasta, rice, potatoes, broths (avoid ‘empty stomach’ which may worsen nausea).
• Completely avoid food smells. Avoid preparing food for yourself if possible, focus on foods with minimal odors and short cooking times. Eat foods at room temperature to reduce aromas.
• Avoid eating in a warm, stuffy room.
• Avoid large quantities of fluids with meals/snacks.
• Rinse out mouth before and immediately after meals.
• Sip warm, natural ginger ale (higher ginger content) – sip ginger tea or chamomile tea.
  • Avoid peppermint tea – this may cause more reflux.
• Sit up to eat. Do not lay down after eating for at least one hour.
• Avoid fatty, greasy, fried, rich foods such as fatty meats, french fries, desserts (high fat will delay stomach emptying).