H I G H - C A L O R I E , H I G H P R O T E I N
N U T R I T I O N T H E R A P Y
A high-calorie, high-protein diet is helpful for those who have lost weight, have a hard time eating
enough calories throughout the day, and/or need to add protein to their diet. The goal is to help
you regain your strength and energy, keep your body healthy, and heal and recover from surgery
or illness. Discuss any questions with your Registered Dietitian (RD).
SCHEDULE YOUR MEALS AND SNACKS
Aim to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks daily Bring snacks everywhere so you can eat every
couple hours
Meal: Snack: Meal:
If your body cue's for hunger or fullness are
not working:
Snack: Meal: Snack: Eat a small meal or snack even if you aren't
hungry
Set a timer to remind you to eat
Learn the times you have a larger
appetite Go on a walk before you eat (with doctor's
approval)
Larger meals at breakfast and lunch can
Light to moderate exercise can increase
be more manageable since you may be
your appetite and preserve muscles.
hungry from not eating all night
MAKE EATING MORE ENJOYABLE
Eat with others whenever possible Breakfast foods like eggs, pancakes, and waffles
can be more tolerable to eat so have them for ANY
meal or snack
Add your favorite foods to meals
Drink your beverage at the end of the meal to save
room for your food.
Try new foods
ADD CALORIES TO YOUR MEALS AND SNACKS
Combine nuts, granola, honey, Choose milk, chocolate milk, soy milk, or
dried fruit, or dry cereal with smoothies over low-calorie drinks like diet
yogurt or oatmeal. sodas or water
Use milk/soy milk instead of water when making
Have milkshakes, smoothies, pudding, ice cocoa, pudding, oatmeal, or cream of wheat.
cream, or custard for snacks
Add jelly, jam, honey, butter or margarine to
bread and crackers
Make fruit smoothies with bananas,
frozen berries, milk of choice, nut butter, Use jam or fruit as toppings for ice cream or
and 1 tablespoon nonfat powdered milk cake
or protein powder.
ADD PROTEIN TO YOUR MEALS AND SNACKS
Add powdered milk or protein powder to Add 1/4 cup of powdered milk or protein
dishes like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, powder to milk to drink or add to recipes that
sauces, cream soups, and meatloaf. require milk.
Vanilla, peppermint extract, or
unsweetened cocoa powder can enhance
Include beans and lentils in soups,
the flavor.
casseroles, vegetable dishes, and
salads.
Add nut butters to crackers, bread, toast,
waffles, apples, bananas, celery sticks,
Try cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with
milkshakes, smoothies, or desserts.
fruit for a snack or dessert
Add hard-boiled eggs, leftover meat,
Consider a ready-made protein shake. cheese, beans, or tofu to noodles, rice,
Your RD will make recommendations. salads, sandwiches, soups, casseroles,
passes and other mixed dishes.
ADD FAT TO YOUR MEALS AND SNACKS
Have nuts and seeds as snacks and toppings Add high fat vegetables like avocado or
olives to salads and entrees
Sauté food in olive or canola oil
Aim to have fatty fish like salmon at least
Add olive oil, other vegetable oils, butter or one a week
margarine to soups, vegetables, potatoes,
pasta, and pancakes.
S A M P L E M E N U
BREAKFAST MORNING SNACK
BREAKFAST BURRITO STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE
3 eggs scrambled 1 cup milk of choice
1/2 cup beans of choice (refried, black, pinto, etc.) 1 cup ice
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1.5 cups strawberries, frozen
1/4 cup sour cream 1 banana, ripe
1/4 cup salsa
1/2 avocado, sliced
1 tortilla, whole wheat
1/2 cup orange juice, fortified with calcium and vitamin D
LUNCH AFTERNOON SNACK
QUINOA POWER BOWL NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT
1 cup wild rice, cooked + 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup nuts of choice (peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc.)
1/2 cup black beans Dried fruit of choice (cherries, apricots, blueberries, etc.)
1/3 cup sweet potato, cubed + sautéed
1 bell pepper, chopped + sautéed
1 1/2 cups prechopped kale, sautéed
3 oz chicken, grilled
2 tablespoons honey lemon dressing (lemon juice, olive oil,
honey, salt, pepper, garlic, and red pepper flakes)
*can sauté sweet potato, bell pepper, and spinach together
DINNER EVENING SNACK
NAAN PIZZAS COTTAGE CHEESE WITH YUMMY TOPPINGS
3 mini-Naan pieces or 1 regular-sized piece (total 150g) 3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/2 tomato pizza sauce 1/2 cup frozen berries (heat in microwave to make a
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
berries + syrup)
1/3 cup granola
1 bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chocolate chips
4 brown mushrooms, sliced
3 sundried tomatoes, sliced
1/3 cup red onions, sliced
1/3 cup olives, sliced
1 hot Italian sausage link, crumbled & sautéed.
