What can I eat to get rid of metallic taste? A Nutritional Guide

October 18, 2025 •

5 min read

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, changes in taste, including a metallic or bitter flavor, are a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Understanding what can I eat to get rid of metallic taste is a practical first step toward managing this unpleasant sensation and improving appetite.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical dietary strategies to help counteract a metallic taste caused by medications, pregnancy, or other health issues. It offers tips on incorporating tart and flavorful foods, choosing alternative protein sources, and making simple lifestyle adjustments to make eating more enjoyable.

Key Points

Incorporate Tart Foods: Add citrus, vinegar, and pickled foods to your diet to neutralize the unpleasant taste and stimulate saliva flow.
Choose Milder Proteins: Opt for chicken, fish, tofu, or eggs instead of red meat, which can sometimes intensify a metallic flavor.
Enhance Flavor with Herbs: Use strong herbs like mint and basil or spices and marinades to mask the metallic taste.
Improve Oral Hygiene: Regularly brushing your tongue and rinsing with a baking soda solution can help remove taste-altering bacteria.
Switch to Non-Metallic Utensils: Use plastic, bamboo, or wood utensils to prevent the metallic taste from being transferred by cutlery.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water keeps your mouth moist, which can help dilute unpleasant flavors.

Understanding the Causes of Metallic Taste (Dysgeusia)

Before exploring nutritional solutions, it is important to understand the common causes of a metallic or altered taste, medically known as dysgeusia. The sensation can be triggered by a variety of factors, ranging from temporary conditions to underlying health concerns. Some of the most frequent culprits include:

Medications and Supplements

Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause a metallic taste as a side effect. Common examples include certain antibiotics, antidepressants, and heart medications. Supplements, particularly those containing high levels of minerals like zinc, iron, and copper, can also trigger this effect. In some cases, the taste will fade as your body adjusts, but it may persist as long as you take the medication. Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting your healthcare provider.

Medical Conditions

Changes in taste are often linked to various medical conditions:

Pregnancy: Hormonal shifts, particularly in the first trimester, can cause dysgeusia, which typically resolves on its own.
Infections: Colds, sinus infections, and respiratory tract infections can alter your sense of taste and smell.
Systemic Diseases: Chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and certain cancers may affect taste perception.
Acid Reflux (GERD): Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus can leave a metallic taste in the mouth.

Oral Hygiene Issues

Poor dental hygiene is a primary cause of metallic taste. Neglecting regular brushing and flossing can lead to a buildup of bacteria and food particles, resulting in bad breath and a lingering copper-like flavor. Conditions like gum disease or tooth infections can also contribute significantly to this issue.

The Nutritional Toolkit: Foods to Combat Metallic Taste

Adjusting your diet can be one of the most effective ways to counteract and mask a metallic taste, making food more palatable and helping to maintain good nutrition.

Incorporate Tart and Citrus Flavors

Sour and acidic foods are excellent for neutralizing unpleasant tastes and stimulating saliva production, which helps flush the mouth. Try adding these to your diet:

Fresh citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges, or their juices.
Pickles, relishes, and other foods prepared with vinegar.
Yogurt, sour cream, and other cultured dairy products.
Lemon drops or mints (sugar-free is recommended).
Tart fruit juices like cranberry or pineapple.

Choose Protein Sources Carefully

Many people find that red meat tastes particularly metallic or bitter during times of dysgeusia. Switching to alternative protein sources can make meals much more enjoyable. Consider options like:

Fish, chicken, and turkey breast, which are often milder in flavor.
Plant-based proteins such as tofu, beans, and lentils.
Eggs and egg whites.
Mild dairy products like cottage cheese or a simple omelette.

Experiment with Herbs and Spices

To enhance the flavor of food and overpower a metallic taste, don't be afraid to use strong herbs and spices. Mint, basil, cilantro, and parsley can add a refreshing note, while robust spices or marinades can transform a dish.

Focus on Cool and Soothing Foods

Many individuals with dysgeusia report that cold or room-temperature foods are easier to tolerate than hot ones. Try adding these to your meals and snacks:

Frozen fruits like grapes, melon, or oranges.
Sorbet, sherbet, or fruit smoothies.
Plain pasta or tapioca pudding.
Chilled chicken, fish, or vegetable dishes.

Foods to Emphasize and Avoid

It can be helpful to visualize which foods are your allies and which may be making the metallic taste worse. This table summarizes key dietary choices.


What to Eat	What to Limit/Avoid
Tart and acidic foods: Citrus fruits, vinegar-based dressings, pickles, marinated meats.	Red meat: High iron content can exacerbate metallic flavors.
Flavorful spices: Basil, oregano, mint, ginger, stronger mustard.	Canned foods: Metal packaging can sometimes transfer a metallic taste.
Mild proteins: Chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, tofu.	Overly processed foods: Complex flavors and preservatives can intensify off-tastes.
Cold/room-temp foods: Frozen fruit, sorbet, chilled meals.	Metal utensils: Using plastic or wood can prevent a metallic sensation.
Plenty of fluids: Water, juices, flavored water, herbal tea.	Excessive sugar or salt: While sometimes used to mask taste, can cause other health issues.
Healthy fats: A few drops of extra virgin olive oil can sometimes help smooth over harsh flavors.	Smoking and alcohol: Can worsen taste distortion and dry mouth.

Beyond Diet: Lifestyle Adjustments to Reduce Metallic Taste

While diet plays a significant role, other simple changes can provide additional relief.

Step Up Your Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean is fundamental. Brush your teeth and tongue thoroughly at least twice a day and floss daily. A tongue scraper can effectively remove bacteria and dead cells that contribute to bad taste. Regular rinses with a solution of baking soda and water (1/2 teaspoon in one cup of water) can help neutralize acids and refresh the mouth before meals.

Stay Adequately Hydrated

Dry mouth can worsen dysgeusia. Sipping on plenty of water or other non-caffeinated fluids throughout the day can keep your mouth moist and help dilute any unpleasant lingering tastes.

Switch Your Cookware and Utensils

If the metallic taste seems to originate from your eating experience itself, your utensils might be the issue. Try swapping your metal forks, spoons, and knives for those made of plastic, bamboo, or wood. Similarly, consider using glass or ceramic cookware instead of metal pots and pans.

Conclusion

Experiencing a metallic taste can be frustrating and impact your quality of life. The good news is that numerous nutritional and lifestyle strategies can help. Incorporating tart, flavorful, and cool foods can mask the taste, while avoiding red meat and canned goods may prevent its intensification. Good oral hygiene, proper hydration, and switching to non-metallic utensils offer additional support. By experimenting with these techniques, you can find a combination that works for you, helping to restore some enjoyment to mealtimes. For persistent or concerning symptoms, always consult a healthcare professional to identify and address the underlying cause.

Reference

Cleveland Clinic: Dysgeusia (Altered Taste): Causes & Treatment
Harvard Health: Tips to fight "metal mouth"
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Managing Taste Changes During Chemotherapy
Medical News Today: Common causes for a metallic taste in your mouth
OncoLink: Combating Metallic Tastes When Cooking

Frequently Asked Questions

Tart foods like citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges), pickles, and vinegar-based dressings are excellent for masking a metallic taste by stimulating saliva and neutralizing the flavor. Strong herbs and spices, as well as sugar-free mints or gum, can also help.

Yes, poor oral hygiene is a very common cause. When food particles and bacteria build up on the tongue and between teeth, it can lead to bad breath and a lingering metallic or copper-like flavor. Good brushing, flossing, and using a tongue scraper can help significantly.

Many people find that red meat intensifies the metallic taste, so it's often recommended to reduce or avoid it. Canned foods can also sometimes contribute to the issue. It's best to experiment and keep a food journal to see what makes your symptoms worse.

Yes, staying well-hydrated is crucial. Drinking plenty of water helps combat dry mouth, which can worsen dysgeusia. It also helps to flush bacteria and toxins from your system, which can provide relief.

For some people, using metal utensils can intensify the metallic sensation. Switching to plastic, bamboo, or wooden cutlery can help eliminate this issue.

Yes, a homemade rinse of baking soda (1/2 teaspoon) and water (1 cup) can be very effective. It helps regulate the mouth's pH and neutralize the metallic flavor. You can use it before meals to help food taste more normal.

If medication is the cause, speak to your healthcare provider. They may be able to adjust your dosage or suggest an alternative. In the meantime, dietary changes and good oral hygiene can help manage the symptoms.