Dieticians possess extensive knowledge on nutrition and are available in community or in the hospital setting. As with other health professionals involved, the main aim is to improve the quality of life experienced by patients.  

Role includes:

• Anorexic patients i.e. in cachexia dietary advice can be provided on feeds, supplementation or possibility of using tube feeding (PEG).

• Assessment of the patient's nutritional status

• Source of emotional support

• Chewing or swallowing problems are addressed and alternative meals suggested

• Determine the types of food which patients enjoy to devise meal plan

•  Provide general advice on strategies to encourage patients to eat. For example where there is loss of appetite, patients should eat in smaller frequent meals, consume energy dense food or nutritous snacks such as convenience meals. In cases of sore mouth; food rich in sauces,cooked until soft or blended is helpful.

 

Helpful advice

Nausea and vomiting; cold food may be more appealing than hot food, drink fizzy drinks or dry meals i.e. no sauce.

Taste changes; red meat may not be tolerated and instead chicken should be used or  marinating food with lemon/vinegar.

Diarrhoea; reduce high fibre intake in diet i.e. bran or fruit, avoid caffeine and spicy foods.