Why Follow a High-Calorie, High-Protein Diet?

A high-calorie, high-protein diet may be recommended if you have recently lost weight, have a poor appetite, or have an increased need for protein, such as with a burn or infection. Eating a high-calorie, high-protein diet can help you:

• Have more energy
• Gain weight or stop losing weight
• Heal
• Resist infection
• Recover faster from surgery or illness

High-Calorie, High-Protein Diet Food Guide

Below is a list of foods that are high in calories and protein. Whenever possible, include foods from these lists in your snacks and meals:

Snack Suggestions

Ten Tips for Increasing Calorie and Protein Intake

• Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day.
• Keep prepared, ready-to-eat snacks on hand while at home, at the office, and on the road.
• Drink your calories. Choose high-calorie fluids, such as milk, blended coffee drinks, milk shakes, or juice.
• Add protein powder or powdered milk to your beverages, smoothies, and foods, such as cream soups, scrambled eggs, gravy, and mashed potatoes.
• Melt cheese onto sandwiches, bread, tortillas, eggs, meat, and vegetables.
• Use milk in place of water when cooking and when preparing foods, such as hot cereal, cocoa, or pudding.
• Load salads with hardboiled eggs, avocado, nuts, cheese, and dressing.
• Use peanut butter or creamy salad dressings as a dip for raw veggies.
• Try commercial supplements (eg, Boost, Ensure, Resource, Carnation Instant Breakfast).
• Talk to a registered dietitian. He can help you develop an individualized eating plan.