It is common to lose interest in eating in advanced illness. But it still might seem worrisome to you or to those around you. That’s probably because we tend to give food additional meaning as a symbol of life and love and often of celebration. So it is important to be clear with yourself and with others about what you are experiencing: if your body is telling you it does not want to eat, you can reassure yourself and your family that it’s all right to follow the body’s wisdom.
In fact, listening to your body’s message can be an important part of finding comfort. Advantages of taking in less fluid and fewer calories include a decrease in both congestion and painful swelling. Allowing yourself to be forced to eat, on the other hand, can be an unpleasant experience.
When you do feel like eating, however, don’t get too hung up on following dietary restrictions that once served a healthy purpose but do not really make sense at this point in your life. Unless specific foods make you feel sick, feel free to eat what appeals to you as long as your healthcare team gives the go-ahead.
