With Chris it was more of a "got full easily" problem, and that has always affected his ability to taste. Things just don't taste "right" if atmospheric conditions aren't perfect or he feels full. As a matter of fact, he ate a banana just a couple of hours after his extubation, and the ICU staff was delighted that he went back on his feed so quickly. To celebrate, he even ate Blue Corn Tacos when we got up to the floor (the same menu item tasted better here at the local hospital, but it was all ambrosia to him), and would order extra yogurt and fruits to have later as a snack, since he would fill up quickly. We laugh about this now, but no one thought he was as sick as he was because "well, he ate all his supper and breakfast"! He even managed to eat with the Bi-Pap on his face! He didn't know why, but he stated that something told him it was going to be his last meal for awhile.
When we got home, he craved iron-rich foods and fruits, and fed him all kinds of red meat, spinach, and other stuff like liver and onions. We usually stick to low fat, but he couldn't eat as much as usual, so I bent things a little bit. He still had a significant anemia, and this helped a lot.
I won't say that his sense of taste wasn't affected at all, but it wasn't enough for him to complain. I have have worked with cancer patients and also in food service, and know that foods with strong tastes are better for these folks in stimulating their appetites.
Still Sweltering in Idaho,
-Laura