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Nutrition and daily life

High-calorie snacks: lots of energy in a small volume

When weight is falling and appetite is weak, the aim is to get more energy and protein from every bite. This section offers safe, energy-dense snack ideas.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Cheese, egg, biscuits.
Figure 1.An energy plate — High-calorie snacks: lots of energy in a small volume

01Short answer

Ideas: hard cheese with biscuits, a hard-boiled egg, pasteurised yogurt or cottage cheese, peanut butter (from a sealed jar) on bread, roasted nuts (sealed packs; a choking risk for children), a milkshake made with pasteurised milk, cream with cooked fruit. A dietitian may recommend ready-made nutrition drinks (medical supplements). With diabetes, agree sugary items with your team. During neutropenia, nuts and dried fruit only roasted or in sealed packs; see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”.

02Simple explanation

Cheese, egg, yogurt.

Peanut butter on bread.

A milkshake.

Nutrition drinks via a dietitian.

03Scientific explanation

ESPEN: in patients at nutritional risk, energy-enriched foods and oral nutritional supplements reduce weight loss.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Enriching

Milk powder, butter, olive oil and cheese can be added to porridge and soup.

A banana milkshake — High-calorie snacks: lots of energy in a small volume
Figure 2.A milkshake — High-calorie snacks: lots of energy in a small volume

Storage

Keep an opened nutrition drink in the fridge and finish it within the stated time.

A sealed bottle by the bed.
Figure 3.A nutrition drink — High-calorie snacks: lots of energy in a small volume

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
EnrichingMilk powder, butter, olive oil and cheese can be added to porridge and soup.
StorageKeep an opened nutrition drink in the fridge and finish it within the stated time.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Energy density
Many calories in a small volume.
Oral nutritional supplement
A medical protein-and-energy drink.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Energy in every bite.
  • Remember protein.
  • Keep it safe.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate and sweets OK?

They give calories but little protein; not instead of real food.

Can I buy nutrition drinks myself?

Better to choose them with a dietitian.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Are chocolate and sweets OK?

  2. Can I buy nutrition drinks myself?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Nigella sativa
  6. National Cancer Institute. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients
  7. USDA. FoodData Central
  8. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Pomegranate
  9. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Resveratrol
  10. National Cancer Institute. Laetrile/Amygdalin (PDQ®)–Patient Version
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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