Why Should I Eat This Way?

Eating this way may be helpful if you have lost weight, do not feel hungry, or have an higher need for protein, such as with a burn or infection. Eating this way can help you:

• Have more strength
• Gain weight or stop losing weight
• Heal
• Fight off infection
• Get better from surgery or sickness faster

A List of Foods You Should Eat

Here are foods that are high in calories and protein. Try to make foods from these lists as part of your snacks and meals:

Snack Tips

Tips to Get More Calories and Protein

• Eat small meals and snacks during the day.
• Keep pre-made, ready-to-eat snacks on hand while at home, at the office, and on the road.
• Drink your calories. Pick high-calorie drinks, such as milk, blended coffee drinks, milk shakes, or juice.
• Add protein powder or powdered milk to your drinks, smoothies, and foods, such as cream soups, scrambled eggs, gravy, and mashed potatoes.
• Melt cheese onto sandwiches, bread, tortillas, eggs, meat, and veggies.
• Use milk in place of water when cooking and making foods, such as hot cereal, cocoa, or pudding.
• Load salads with hardboiled eggs, avocado, nuts, cheese, and dressing.
• Use peanut butter or creamy salad dressings as a dip for raw veggies.
• Try drinks like Boost, Ensure, Resource, or Carnation Instant Breakfast.
• Talk to a dietitian if you need more help.