Small Appetite

If you are eating less than usual or losing weight unintentionally, there are simple changes you can make to help increase your energy and protein intake.

The advice on this page includes practical tips, nourishing drinks and snack ideas to help you get the most nutrition from the food and drink you have each day.

Tips to try every day

Eat little and often by having three small meals and two to three snacks or milky drinks throughout the day.
Choose individual desserts such as trifle, ice cream, custard, rice pudding or mousse.
Drink nourishing fluids. Aim for at least one pint (600ml) of full-fat milk each day.
If you do not like milk, try fruit juice instead.
If you feel full easily, have drinks after meals and avoid filling up on drinks before eating.
Avoid low-calorie, light or diet foods.
Fresh, frozen, canned and ready meals are all suitable options.

Nourishing drinks and smoothies

Ready-made milkshakes and smoothies are available in most supermarkets, or you can make your own at home.

High-energy milkshake

Mix together:

300ml full-fat milk
4 tablespoons skimmed milk powder
4 tablespoons double cream
Milkshake flavouring such as syrup or powder

You can also add fruit, ice cream, full-fat yoghurt, sugar, honey or syrup for extra energy.

Plant-based alternatives can be used if they are fortified with calcium.

Berries and cream smoothie

Approximate nutrition: 475 calories and 10g protein

150ml fortified milk
A handful of berries
125g full-fat strawberry yoghurt
1 generous teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons double cream

Add all ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth.

You can vary the flavour by using different fruit or yoghurt. Fresh, frozen and tinned fruit all work well.

Fruit punch smoothie

Approximate nutrition: 360 calories and 12g protein

150ml pure orange juice
1 small banana
140g tinned peaches in syrup (approximately one-third of a standard tin)
1 generous teaspoon honey
100g full-fat yoghurt

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Enriched milk

Enriched milk contains extra calories and protein to help boost your energy intake.

Mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of skimmed milk powder into one pint (600ml) of full-fat milk and keep refrigerated.

Use enriched milk as you would normal milk. Drink it on its own or add it to:

Soup
Cereal
Puddings
Porridge
Hot chocolate

Ways to add extra calories to your meals

Add extra butter or margarine to vegetables and potatoes. Spread generously on bread, crackers, biscuits and scones.
Cook foods with oil where appropriate.
Add cream or evaporated milk to puddings, cakes and fruit.
Stir cream into soup, porridge, potatoes, coffee or hot chocolate.
Add cheese to vegetables, potatoes and pasta dishes.
Enjoy cheese with crackers and oatcakes.
Use mayonnaise in sandwiches and creamy dressings on salads.