As a caregiver, it is important to remember that we CAN'T provide something that 'tastes like it should' in the early stages of healing, try as we might. Before his taste buds started coming back (about 2 months post TX)I just worried about nutrition and not taste. As taste returned, it got more complicated, and protein shakes with some fruit became the new standard.

My husband is now 5 months out of treatment, and fruit and some vegetables taste the closest to 'right'. Today, consistency and swallow-ability is more of an issue than taste (but NO CAPCASIN!!!).I have had some truly epic failures in cooking for him, but it's important to keep trying different things - the ever-popular protein shake is always a backup.

One other tip - for my husband, at least, natural flavors taste best: natural vanilla is better than fake, real bananas are yummy but the fake banana flavor in pudding mixes tastes dreadful to him.