About this topic

When you are sick, have wounds that are healing or your body is fighting an infection, you need extra calories and protein. Calories give energy to help keep the body working as it should. Protein is a part of each cell, tissue, and organ in your body. When you are sick or healing, check your weight. If you lose weight or have a wound, you need to increase the amount of calories and protein in your diet. You can return to your normal way of eating when you are feeling better or are healed.

What will the results be?

This diet will help you prevent weight loss.

What changes to diet are needed?

• Eat a balanced diet with many kinds of foods.

• Eat small, frequent meals to increase your calorie and protein intake.

• Spread out the protein you eat during the day. This will help your body get protein all day.

• Drink plenty of water when you increase your protein.

Who should use this diet?

This eating plan is good for people who need to gain weight. It is also good for people who are sick, have had surgery, or who have a wound.

What foods are good to eat?

• Make healthy food and drink choices from all the food groups. This will help you get all of the nutrients you need.

• Drink at least 2 cups (480 mL) of milk per day. Whole milk has the most calories. Also include other milk products such as cheese, ice cream, pudding, or yogurt.

• Eat at least 2 3-ounce (0.17 kg) servings of meat, poultry, or fish for protein. You can also eat eggs, beans, peas, lentils, cheese, or peanut butter. Tofu and other soy products also contain protein.

• Eat 2 or more servings of fruit each day. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried. An example of a serving of fruit is 1 small apple or banana or 1 cup of canned fruit (150 grams).

• Eat 3 or more servings of vegetables each day. An example of a serving of vegetable is ¹/₂ cup cooked vegetables (75 grams), 1 cup salad (75 grams), or ¹/₂ medium potato.

• Eat 6 or more servings of bread, grains, cereals, or other starchy foods each day. An example of a serving is 1 slice of bread, ¹/₂ cup (100 grams) cooked rice or pasta , or ²/₃ cup (30 grams) cereal flakes.

What are good ways to add protein?

• Meat, poultry, and fish - Add chopped, cooked meats to vegetables, casseroles, soups, and sauces. You can also use in omelets, sandwiches, burritos, or tacos.

• Eggs - Add chopped, hard-cooked eggs to salads or sandwiches. Keep hard-cooked eggs in the refrigerator for snacks throughout the day. Wrap scrambled eggs, beans, and cheese in a tortilla for a protein-filled meal.

• Cheese - Add to a sandwich, wrap, or salad. Add on top of soups, casseroles, potatoes, and pasta. Snack on whole grain crackers and cheese, string cheese with fruit or nuts, cottage cheese and fruit, or use melted cheese as a dipping sauce.

• Yogurt - Blend with fruits to make a smoothie. Use as a dipping sauce for fruits and vegetables. Scoop on top of pancakes or waffles. Substitute plain yogurt for sour cream on top of potato salad, chili, or tacos.

• Beans - Add beans to soups, casseroles, pastas, and burritos.

• Tofu - Blend tofu with fruits and juices for a smoothie. Add chunks of tofu to soups or stews. Mix into meatloaf or add to recipes that also call for mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese, or ricotta cheese to get extra protein.

• Nut butters - Spread on toast, English muffins, crackers, or waffles for added protein. Dip fruit or vegetables, swirl through ice cream or yogurt, or blend with milk for a snack.

• Non-fat dry milk powder - Can be added to almost any recipe for extra protein. Try mixing with mashed potatoes, hot cereal, eggs, soup, casseroles, and milkshakes.

• Nutrition supplements - Talk with your doctor or registered dietitian about trying a nutrition supplement. You can mix nutrition supplements with milk to make high-protein milkshakes.

What are good ways to add calories?

• Oils - Add to vegetables, meat, pastas, sauces, salads, or dip for bread. You can use olive oil, canola oil, or peanut oil.

• Nuts and nut butters - Try almonds, walnuts, cashews, and peanut butter. Add to trail mix; sprinkle on salads and yogurt; spread on crackers, vegetables, fruit, or pancakes.

• Avocado - Add to sandwiches, salads, other foods, soups, casseroles, and eggs.

• Dried fruits - Add prunes, raisins, cranberries, dates, and apricots to hot or cold cereals, salads, and yogurts.

• Margarine/butter - Use soft, tub, trans fat-free and add to potatoes, vegetables, hot cereals, soups, noodles, and sauces.

• Honey, jelly, and maple syrup - Use as a flavoring for hot tea, cereal, fruit, bread, bagels, English muffins, or crackers.

When do I need to call the doctor?

• You have lost weight or are not gaining weight

• You feel weak and tired.

• Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth, cracked lips, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.

• You are not tolerating food.