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 SnacksCaloriesProtein (grams)
1 medium banana with 1/4 cup nuts2705
1/2 cup trail mix42613
1 cup 2% cottage cheese with pineapple24027
Instant pudding made with whole milk3308
1 cup 2% Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup protein granola26518
1 bagel with 2 tablespoons cream cheese40014
Large muffin4006
6 crackers with 1/2 cup tuna or egg salad36015
4 cups tortilla chips with ½ cup guacamole7709

Sliced apple or banana with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and chocolate chips

3008
2 eggs scrambled with 1/4 cup shredded cheese25018
Grilled cheese sandwich made with 2 slices bread, 2 slices cheese and 1/2 tablespoon butter35016
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich made with 2 slices bread, 2 tablespoons peanut butter and 1 tablespoon jelly38613
1 whole wheat wrap, 4 slices deli turkey and 1/2 sliced avocado40020
Turkey sandwich made with 2 slices bread, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 slice cheese and 3 slices turkey37022
Quesadilla made with 2 large flour tortillas and 1/2 cup cheese50020
Instant oatmeal made with whole milk (or half and half) and 2 tablespoons peanut butter48620
Instant grits with 1/4 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon butter3108
Large pita with 4 tablespoons hummus33010

Zucchini or pumpkin bread slice with 2 ounces of cream cheese or honey

2508
1 cup whole milk with 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup2509
1 cup whole milk, 1 packet carnation breakfast essentials and 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream53016
1 cup pretzels with 2 tablespoons chocolate hazelnut dip3105

 

Healthy, high-calorie foods to add to your meals and snacks:

FoodPortion SizeCaloriesTips
Nuts/Seeds1/4 cup170

Eat as a snack.

Add chopped or ground nuts to pancakes, muffins, cereal, oatmeal, ice cream, pudding, yogurt, salads, casseroles, or baked goods.

Nut Butters1 tablespoon100

Spread on breads, baked goods, fruit or vegetables.

Mix in smoothies, shakes and baked goods.

Trail Mix/Granola1/4 cup or 1 bar200/120

Eat as a snack.

Add to cereal, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, and fruit cups.

Dried Fruit1/4 cup100

Eat as a snack.

Add to pancakes, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, chicken/ tuna or vegetable salads, baked goods or dinner entrees.

Bean Dips/ Hummus1/4 cup140

Eat with vegetables and chips.

Add to nachos and baked potatoes.

Use as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.

Oils (olive/canola)1 tablespoon120

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 Cream1/4 cup110

Eat as a snack.

Top cooked vegetables, beans, pasta, soups, baked potatoes, chili and breads.

Melt on sandwiches or in eggs

Pesto Sauce2 tablespoons150

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.

Avocado1/3 medium100

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