How to Fortify Your Food / Quick and Easy Meals


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When you have a poor appetite, your body still needs food . Because of your illness or treatment, you might need more than usual. At such times, it is important to make sure that what you eat is nutritious. You can fortify your food, i.e. add extra energy and protein, in the following ways:

Use fortified milk, i.e. three tablespoons milk powder,
e.g. Marvel or 5 Pints added to one pint of milk. This can be used in the usual way in drinks, on cereals, in sauces and puddings.

To savoury foods add: cheese, whole milk, gravy, milk powder, butter or margarine, pulses, meat, qreme fraiche:
Cheese on mashed potato with extra milk and butter / margarine;

Butter or cheese sauce on vegetables;

Add one tablespoon milk powder into one portion white sauce;

Add grated cheese / cream / milk into soup;

Add cream / creme fraiche to casseroles.

To sweet foods add: sugar, honey, whole milk, cream, milk powder;
Have cream / custard / ice cream with pies or fruit;

Jelly made with milk;

Add one tablespoon milk powder into one portion of porridge, milk puddings, custard;

Add extra teaspoons of sugar into desserts and cereals to taste.


Try to eat small and frequent meals and snacks: e.g. every two hours, here are some ideas:

Biscuits

Sandwiches boosted by.....

- Adding mayonnaise or salad cream;
- Having two fillings e.g. Egg and cheese; Ham and cheese; Egg and bacon; Chicken and bacon;
- Trying a toasted sandwich e.g. Baked beans and bacon; Cheese and bacon;

Crisps

Fruit (fresh and dried) Cake

Cheese and crackers Desserts

Chocolate bar / biscuits Yoghurt

Nuts

Cheese

Ice cream

Ready made meals, e.g. pies, quiches, pizzas and other dishes can be stored in the freezer for future use and served with frozen or tinned vegetables

Soups - home-made, tinned or packets are quick and easy to prepare, served with bread and butter / margarine, crackers or baked potato. Try adding extra cheese, cream or milk to give extra goodness. If you are making your own, try using meat / chicken and pulses, e.g. lentils, beans, peas to give more energy.

Desserts - many of these can be made with fortified milk and served with instant toppings such as tinned custard, evaporated or condensed milk:

- Yoghurt with fresh, stewed or dried fruit, muesli, cereal, nuts, honey.
- Ice cream with fruit, nuts, chocolate, sauces, syrup.
- Fresh I tinned fruit or trifle, with tinned custard or other instant topping.
- Tinned or microwave sponge pudding with custard, cream or syrup.
- Instant desserts, e.g. Angel Delight, creme caramel, Instant Whip.
- Fruit pies with custard, ice cream, cream.
- Tinned milk pudding, e.g. creamed rice or tapioca served with milk, cream, evaporated or condensed milk, jam, honey or sugar.


QUICK AND EASY MEALS

Nutritious meals do not have to be hot and they need not take long to prepare. Here are a few ideas that may help you,

Try to make the most of the good days when you feel like eating more and remember you do not have to stick to strict meal times. Aim to eat small frequent meals / snacks during the day.

Sandwiches, fresh or toasted, made with wholemeal or white bread, can be nutritious and quick to make.
Fillings could include:

- Cheese and pickle;
- Egg and cress;
- Cream cheese and pineapple;
- Egg, bacon and lettuce;
- Grated cheese, apple and carrot;
- Plain meats, e.g. lamb, chicken, pork or ham;
- Pate and cucumber;
- Peanut butter and jam;
- Sausage and salad;
- Tinned fish and salad cream;

Bowl of cereal or porridge / Ready Brek are quick and nourishing.

Eggs - omelettes, scrambled, poached or boiled, can be used as long as they are thoroughly cooked, i.e. both yolk and white are hard.

Buttered toast or baked potatoes can be served with a variety of toppings or fillings:
- Baked beans with grated cheese;
- Tinned fish and mayonnaise /salad cream;
- Bacon, sausage and tomato;
- Grated /cream /cottage cheese and salad;
- Tinned spaghetti with grated cheese;
- Tinned macaroni cheese;
- Cheese and coleslaw;
- Spiced lentils, humus or tinned bean / pasta salad;
- Chopped meats and salad cream / yoghurt dressing;
- Minced beef, chilli, 'cook-in' bolognese-type sauces;
- Chicken, mayonnaise and sweetcorn

If you wish to discuss your eating problems with the dietician, please ask your doctor, nurse or radiographer for a referral.