Your body needs energy and protein to make sure you have a nutritionally adequate diet.

Here are some ways to make your meals and snacks more nutritious by increasing the protein and energy in your diet:

• Try to follow a little and often meal pattern. Aim to have three small meals and two to three snacks each day.
• Have a high calorie or high protein snack between meals, such as:
  • cheese and crackers
  • bread, butter and jam
  • cakes, scones and biscuits
  • full fat yoghurt or mousse.
• Aim to have at least one pint of full cream milk daily (rather than skimmed or semi skimmed). Have milky drinks, such as, cocoa, hot chocolate, milky coffee or malted drink, for example, Horlicks or Ovaltine.
• Have a pudding once or twice a day. Try and have these at a different time to the main course if you feel full easily. Try things like:
  • fruit and custard
  • rice pudding
  • sponge and custard.
• Have full-fat versions of foods, rather than low-calorie or low-fat options. Such as:
  • yoghurts
  • spread or butter
  • cream
  • chilled desserts
  • ready meals.
• Increase the nourishment from your food by trying food fortification. You can do this by:
  • adding two to four tablespoons of milk powder to one pint of full cream milk and using it in drinks, cereal and when cooking
  • adding butter and grated cheese to potatoes, vegetables and soups
  • adding cream, condensed or evaporated milk to porridge and puddings.
• Have just one more mouthful to try to build up your appetite.
• Consider using convenience foods or meal delivery if meal preparation is difficult.
• Nutritious drinks are available over-the-counter, including Complan and Meritene.
• If you have any questions or would like further information, please speak to your healthcare professional.