How to Increase Calories during Treatment Suggestions by The Oncology Institute

July 23, 2015 - PRLog -- How to Increase Calories/Protein

High Calorie / High Protein Diet

Cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy need higher amounts of protein and calories. Protein helps ensure growth to help repair body tissue, and to maintain a healthy immune system. When the body lacks enough protein, it takes longer to recover from illness and there is a tendency to have a lower resistance to infection. Following surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, additional protein is needed to heal tissues and to help prevent infection. Studies show that patients who are nutritionally fit and maintain their weight tend to have fewer complications from chemotherapy, surgery or radiation. Sources of protein are generally found in lean meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, nuts, dried beans, peas, lentils and soy foods.

Tips for adding more calories and protein to your diet:

Keep quick and easy snacks handy (cheese, crackers, muffins, ice cream, peanut butter, fruit and pudding)
Try to drink plenty of liquids throughout the day, such as juice and milk based drinks (Ensure, Boost)
For extra protein, consider adding nonfat, instant dry milk to scrambled eggs, soup, cereal, sauces, and gravies
Try to eat more hard cooked eggs, luncheon meats, peanut butter, cheese, ice cream, granola bars, nutritional supplements, pudding chips and crackers.

Other ways to add protein and calories:

Cheese: melt on sandwiches, breads, muffins, omelets, tortillas, chicken, or fish
Cottage cheese/ricotta/cream cheese: add to casseroles or pasta, bread, fruits, or crackers
Sour cream: use as a dip for fruits/vegetables, scoop on fresh fruits, use a topping on cakes and desserts
Eggs: add chopped, hard boiled eggs to salads, vegetables, and casseroles. Add them to custards, puddings and pancakes
Milk:  use milk instead of water for liquid when cooking, use in preparing cereal, soups, hot chocolate, use to make cream sauces for vegetables
Nonfat instant dry milk: add milk and milk drinks, use in cream soups, mashed potatoes and cream
Soy: add tofu to shakes and dips, eat edamame or add soy to vegetable dishes and salads
Peanut butter:  spread on sandwiches, crackers, muffins, fruit and celery, use as a dip for vegetables
Ice cream, yogurt and frozen yogurt: add to carbonated beverages to make floats, eat with cookies
Meat/fish: add chopped cooked meats or fish to salads and casseroles
Beans/legumes: add to soups, pastas, and main dishes
Nuts, seeds, wheat germ: sprinkle on fruit, cereal, salads or desserts
Butter/margarine: stir into cream soups, add to dishes such as shrimp, scallops, crab, and pasta

Other foods high in calories and protein:

Biscuits, beans (canned), bread, butter, cream of wheat, fish, salmon, tuna, honey, potatoes
Tomato sauce,  tortillas, oatmeal, whipped topping, pizza crust, vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned)
Grits, applesauce, pasta, pretzels
Isosource Vanilla liquid (milk based supplements that you can purchase at any of our offices)