Dietitians

Collage of imaages. First image features dietitian and patient. Second image is of selection of healthy food. Third image is a dietitian.

Healthy eating for weight gain

When you are having cancer treatment you should aim to stay a stable weight. If you are losing weight you may need to make some changes to your diet.

Click here to read our patient information leaflet titled Eating when you have a small appetite: a guide for cancer patients. 

You may also find the the leaflet called Healthy eating for weight gain useful. You can read it here.

If your appetite is reduced it is important to make the most of each mouthful of food. There are several ways you can do this.

For more tips, click here to watch our video on poor appetite.

1. Choose foods high in energy

 

It is a good idea to focus on the foods that are high in energy (calories). These are often foods that you may have previously avoided e.g. cheese, full fat milk, custard, creamy soups, nuts etc.

2. Fortify your food

 

Adding nourishing extras to the foods that you eat can make each mouthful more wholesome. It will increase your energy and protein intake without the need for having a bigger portion.

 

Try to enrich food and drinks by adding extra ingredients using the graphic below:

An info graphic that explains how you can fortify your food

 

 

Fruit and vegetables are an important source of vitamins and minerals, however they can fill you up quickly and are not rich in energy or protein. Adding butter, cheese or creamy sauces to vegetables; mayo, salad cream and full fat dressings to salad; and cream, custard or ice cream to fruit can make them more nourishing.

You can see the above graphic in a table by clicking here.

For more tips, click here to watch our video on fortifying your food.

 

3. Eat regular snacks

 

It is common to get full more quickly when your appetite is poor. It can be helpful to have five tosix smaller meals and snacks through the day instead of three larger meals.

Snacking is a great way to eat more without needing to increase your portion sizes. It can be helpful to eat whilst in front of the TV or reading a book as this will distract you and may allow you to eat more.

Examples of nourishing snacks include:

 

  • Breadsticks or tortilla chips with dips
  • A handful of nuts or dried fruit
  • Crisps
  • Individual portions of cheese
  • Slice of ham or salami
  • Mini sausage rolls or scotch eggs
  • Mini spring rolls or samosas
  • Mini chocolate bars or cakes
  • Biscuits
  • Cream cakes and pastries
  • Yoghurts
  • Individual sized puddings e.g. crème caramel, mousse, trifle
  • A small pot of custard
  • Rice pudding
  • Ice cream or non-dairy ice cream
  • Toast with lots of butter, peanut butter, jam, honey or chocolate spread

4. Drink nourishing fluids

 

Water is good for hydration, but it does not contain any calories or protein. Other drinks such as fruit juice, full sugar squash and milky drinks such as milkshakes, Horlicks®, hot chocolates and lattés are good for hydration and they will also be nourishing. You should aim for eight to 10 cups of fluid per day. These should be a mix of water and nourishing fluids.

Although plant-based milk substitutes do not include as much protein as dairy equivalents, they still contain more nutrition than water. People on vegan diets should therefore try the drinks listed above using non-dairy alternatives. Look for one which is fortified with vitamins and minerals. Soya alternatives to dairy have more protein than other non-dairy alternatives.