Although problems with taste and smell after a stroke can have a big impact on your life, they are not always discussed as part of medical treatment. Some people may experience a change to their sense of taste and smell soon after a stroke, but these changes may improve. There are things you can do that might help your recovery.
People often tell us changes to taste and smell affect their quality of life or may stop them from eating a healthy diet. It can also have an impact on your physical and emotional wellbeing. So if you’re having difficulties, contact your GP or stroke nurse and ask for help.
Emotional impact
We may not think about taste and smell very much, but they play a part in our feelings and memories.
Taste has an emotional and social impact. The pleasure you get from eating adds to your enjoyment of life. If you stop liking your favourite food and drink, this can be upsetting and impact your appetite. Eating with other people can also be an important social activity. Some people say they feel isolated if they are not able to enjoy their food with everyone else.
Smell can also trigger powerful emotions such as disgust caused by the bad smell of a dirty bin, or happiness from a scented flower. Smell can be part of attraction, such as your partner’s perfume or aftershave. Smells can give you information, such as the smell of coffee suggesting a café is nearby.
Smells can bring back memories, such as the smell of seaweed making you think of a holiday by the sea. Losing the ability to smell can make you feel like you’re missing out on some experiences.
It can also be upsetting if your sense of taste and smell are distorted and you experience bad tastes or smells.
Safety and hygiene
If you cannot smell, you might not notice your own body odour or bad smells at home. These smells would normally prompt you to take a shower or clean the room. You might also miss smells which alert you to danger, such as the smell of smoke, gas or chemicals in the air. We also use our senses of taste and smell to help us avoid food that’s gone off.
View SmellTaste’s tips on safety when you have loss of smell.
Impact on your health and stroke recovery
Reduced appetite
The taste and smell of food give you an appetite and help you enjoy food. Eating well and drinking enough are important for your recovery. If you cannot taste or smell properly, it can reduce your appetite and you might eat or drink less than you need to. This can lead to you losing weight or not getting the nutrients you need. If you do not drink enough, you could become dehydrated.
Being undernourished or dehydrated can make you feel tired, low in mood or have trouble concentrating. You might be more likely to get infections and injuries can take longer to heal.
Eating too much
You may over-eat, perhaps because you’re trying to get more satisfaction from food when it’s lacking in flavour. This can lead to gaining too much weight, which can raise the risk of another stroke.
Seeking out certain tastes
You may seek foods with a certain taste and avoid others, perhaps because some things are very bland or tastes are distorted. This can lead to more health problems. For example, having more sweet food and drink can lead to weight gain and tooth decay, while having lots of salty food can raise your blood pressure.
Practical tips for eating and drinking
Get advice about healthy eating
Having good nutrition and staying well hydrated is an important part of your recovery, and can help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of another stroke. Smell and taste help us make decisions about what to eat and drink. So if you’re struggling to eat a healthy, balanced diet, you may need some advice from a dietitian.
There are some things you can try to make your food tastier and more appetising, without eating too much salt and sugar.
If you have any swallowing problems, always ask your speech and language therapist for advice before changing your diet.
- Make your food look bright and fresh. Add colourful vegetables, such as peas to your macaroni cheese. Drizzle some olive oil on cooked vegetables or add some natural yogurt on top of a curry.
- Vary the texture to make things more interesting to eat. Add crunch with raw vegetables like red pepper and cucumber. Have contrasting textures like a handful of tortilla chips alongside a bowl of veggie chilli and rice.
- Arrange the food on your plate so it looks appealing to you.
- Try eating food cold or at room temperature, rather than hot. Cooling can reduce strong or sweet flavours.
- If you have a bad taste in your mouth, drink plenty of fluids such as water or low-sugar drinks. Dilute sweet drinks like squash or juice with water.
Chewing mints or boiled sweets can help to refresh your mouth. Try sugar-free varieties.
- Use aromatic herbs and spices to add more flavour. Try herbs like tarragon, rosemary and mint, or spices like cumin, curry powder and chilli.
- Try adding toasted nuts, seeds or a squeeze of lemon juice to vegetables.
- Use pickles, chutneys or relishes. Try making them at home to reduce the salt you eat.
- When you’re cooking, use flavour boosters like low-salt stock cubes, mustard, or a small dash of Thai fish sauce or Worcestershire sauce, to add a savoury taste without too much salt.
- Olives, garlic or pesto are great with pasta dishes.
- Choose sharp-tasting fruits such as gooseberries, blackcurrants, grapefruit or stewed rhubarb in pies or tarts.
- Add spices to puddings, for example, nutmeg to rice pudding or custard, or ginger to stewed fruit or fresh melon.
- Adding some sweetness, such as small amounts of honey or spices like cinnamon, may hide bitter tastes. If you have diabetes, check with your GP first.
- If tea or coffee tastes bitter, try alternatives like fruit teas, herbal teas, hot chocolate or fruit juices.
Do you want more information or support about taste and smell changes? Our Stroke Support Helpline is for anyone affected by a stroke and can help with any aspect of stroke. Call us on 0303 3033 100, from a textphone 18001 0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk