There are many reasons for taste changes, for example: 

• Medications: Some medications like antibiotics, diuretics (also known as water pills), some blood pressure medication and antidepressants. 
• Treatments: Like chemotherapy.
• Other symptoms/conditions: Like a common cold, throat infection or gum disease.
• Getting Older: As you age you can start to lose your taste buds or they become less sensitive.
• Dry mouth: Keeps flavors from reaching your taste buds.  
• Loss of smell: Sense of smell affects the way food tastes. 
• Smoking: Can dull your sense of smell and taste.

Managing taste changes works best when you play an active role. 

• Try to figure out if there is a cause for your taste changes. 
• Is it better or worse at different times?
• What helps or makes it worse?

You may want to use a symptom diary to record information about your taste changes. Tracking this information will help you talk to healthcare team about your taste changes.

Physical steps you can try:

• Eat food cold or at room temperature: This will reduce strong tastes and smells and can help if you have nausea.
• Eat smaller amounts of food more often: Eat whatever you feel like eating, and try to eat every 3-4 hours. Keep snacks handy for when you feel like eating.
• Add flavour to your food: Use herbs and spices or salt free seasonings; add lemon, or lime juice.
• Add sauces to your food: Try applesauce, mint jelly, red pepper jelly or cranberry sauce with meals. 
• Chewing Gum: Or sucking on sugar free candy can help with unpleasant tastes after eating.
• Rinse your mouth: Try doing this often, and before and after eating. Use water or club soda.
• Brush your teeth: Try brushing your teeth and tongue more than usual. Especially before and after eating.
• Limit or stop: Alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine to see if your symptoms get better. These can make your taste change worse.

Speak with your healthcare team if taste changes are a problem for you. Your worries and questions are important to you and them. 

• Let them know if you think your medical condition or medications are the reason for your taste change.
• Talk to them before taking over-the-counter medication, including vitamins and herbal remedies.

Tips on sharing your symptoms with your healthcare team:

• Make some notes about your change of taste symptoms and tell your healthcare team about them.
• Has there been a change in your taste?
• How bad is it?
• When does it happen and how long does it last?
• What makes it better or worse? What have you tried already?
• Make a list of all the medications you are taking including over the counter medications.