In older cancer patients, taste is an important aspect of
acceptability and compliance due to the many taste changes
experienced. The availability of different supplements with
different tastes may be of help in finding the product that may
be best accepted. Products should not have an aftertaste,
such as the “metallic taste” commonly reported by patients
with cancer, or should not reduce sweetness and viscosity,
another commonly reported problem. Oral supplements,
which require an intact and functioning gastrointestinal tract,
should be used as between-meal supplements: Patients need
to understand the importance of adequate food intake at
mealtimes, and should be told that the supplement is intended
as an additional source of nutrients and not a replacement
for food.