How to Increase Your Calories during Cancer Treatment (The James)
How to Increase Your Calories during Cancer Treatment (The James)
Eating the best you can, and drinking enough of the right kinds of fluids are important parts of your treatment. Cancer and its treatment can affect the way your body uses food. Eating well before, during and after your treatment can help you:
- Maintain your strength
- Maintain your weight and prevent weight and muscle loss
- Manage treatment side effects
- Lower your chance of getting an infection
- Help you heal faster
To help you stay strong, you may need to eat even when you do not feel well. Eating well during treatment might mean you need to change your normal eating habits. You may have side effects during treatment that can make it hard to eat enough calories each day. Some common eating problems include:
- Appetite changes
- Weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Taste changes
- Dry mouth or thick saliva
- Sore mouth or sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
Tips to help:
- Eat small meals or snacks every 2 to 3 hours during the day. Try to eat at least 1 high calorie food item during meal or snack time. Set up a schedule of times to eat as a reminder even when you do not feel hungry. It may help to set reminders on your phone when it is time for a snack.
- To simplify, it may help to use smaller plates and bowls.
- Have high calories foods available at home and when you are on the go. It may help to keep snacks in your bag or car.
- You may find it helpful to eat already prepared or ready-to-eat foods. Add items, such as nuts and cheese, to these foods to increase calories.
- Limit greasy, fried and very high-fat foods if they make you feel sick to your stomach or too full.
- Do not fill up on fluids. Try to drink fluids in between meals and snack times. Choose high calorie fluids such as milk, juice, milkshakes and nutritional supplements.
- Eat larger meals during the times when you feel most hungry.
- If you are unable to eat, drink nutritional supplements, milkshakes and high-calorie smoothies during meal and snack time. Try to take a few sips every hour during the day. Types of high-calorie nutrition supplements include:
- Ensure/Boost (250 calories)
- Ensure Plus/Boost Plus (350 calories)
- Glucerna/Boost Glucose Control (180 to 250 calories)
- Carnation Breakfast Essentials with 1 cup of whole milk (250 calories)
High Calorie, High Protein Snacks | Calories | Protein (grams) |
1 medium banana with 1/4 cup nuts | 270 | 5 |
1/2 cup trail mix | 426 | 13 |
1 cup 2% cottage cheese with pineapple | 240 | 27 |
Instant pudding made with whole milk | 330 | 8 |
1 cup 2% Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup protein granola | 265 | 18 |
1 bagel with 2 tablespoons cream cheese | 400 | 14 |
Large muffin | 400 | 6 |
6 crackers with 1/2 cup tuna or egg salad | 360 | 15 |
4 cups tortilla chips with ½ cup guacamole | 770 | 9 |
Sliced apple or banana with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and chocolate chips | 300 | 8 |
2 eggs scrambled with 1/4 cup shredded cheese | 250 | 18 |
Grilled cheese sandwich made with 2 slices bread, 2 slices cheese and 1/2 tablespoon butter | 350 | 16 |
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich made with 2 slices bread, 2 tablespoons peanut butter and 1 tablespoon jelly | 386 | 13 |
1 whole wheat wrap, 4 slices deli turkey and 1/2 sliced avocado | 400 | 20 |
Turkey sandwich made with 2 slices bread, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 slice cheese and 3 slices turkey | 370 | 22 |
Quesadilla made with 2 large flour tortillas and 1/2 cup cheese | 500 | 20 |
Instant oatmeal made with whole milk (or half and half) and 2 tablespoons peanut butter | 486 | 20 |
Instant grits with 1/4 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon butter | 310 | 8 |
Large pita with 4 tablespoons hummus | 330 | 10 |
Zucchini or pumpkin bread slice with 2 ounces of cream cheese or honey | 250 | 8 |
1 cup whole milk with 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup | 250 | 9 |
1 cup whole milk, 1 packet carnation breakfast essentials and 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream | 530 | 16 |
1 cup pretzels with 2 tablespoons chocolate hazelnut dip | 310 | 5 |
Healthy, high-calorie foods to add to your meals and snacks:
Food | Portion Size | Calories | Tips |
Nuts/Seeds | 1/4 cup | 170 | Eat as a snack. Add chopped or ground nuts to pancakes, muffins, cereal, oatmeal, ice cream, pudding, yogurt, salads, casseroles, or baked goods. |
Nut Butters | 1 tablespoon | 100 | Spread on breads, baked goods, fruit or vegetables. Mix in smoothies, shakes and baked goods. |
Trail Mix/Granola | 1/4 cup or 1 bar | 200/120 | Eat as a snack. Add to cereal, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, and fruit cups. |
Dried Fruit | 1/4 cup | 100 | Eat as a snack. Add to pancakes, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, chicken/ tuna or vegetable salads, baked goods or dinner entrees. |
Bean Dips/ Hummus | 1/4 cup | 140 | Eat with vegetables and chips. Add to nachos and baked potatoes. Use as a spread for sandwiches or wraps. |
Oils (olive/canola) | 1 tablespoon | 120 | Use to fry vegetables, chicken, fish and eggs. Mix into rice, pasta, potatoes and soups. Drizzle over vegetables and sides or use as a dip for bread. Toss with pasta and salads. Add to cake or bread mixes or to smoothies and milkshakes. |
Cheese/Cheese Sauce/Sour Cream | 1/4 cup | 110 | Eat as a snack. Top cooked vegetables, beans, pasta, soups, baked potatoes, chili and breads. Melt on sandwiches or in eggs |
Pesto Sauce | 2 tablespoons | 150 | Toss with pasta or salad. Use as a dip or as a spread for bread or chips. Use as a marinade or brush on grilled items. Use as a condiment to season soups and sauces. |
Avocado | 1/3 medium | 100 | Eat as a snack. Add to sandwiches, salads or crackers. Make guacamole. |
© March 2, 2021. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.
For more health information, call the Patient and Family Resource Center at 614-366-0602 or visit cancer.osu.edu/PFRC
Last Revised: 3/2/2021
Author: OSUWMC
Medical Review: Patient Education