Supporting Good Nutrition, Hydration and Healthy Weight
Good nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining health, supporting recovery, preventing weight loss and promoting wound healing. This support pack provides practical “Food First” advice to help people increase their calorie and protein intake using everyday foods, nourishing snacks and homemade drinks.
Why Nutrition Matters
Poor nutritional intake over a prolonged period can lead to malnutrition, which may increase the risk of:
- Infection
- Delayed wound healing
- Reduced strength and energy
- Impaired heart and lung function
- Unplanned weight loss
Early nutritional support can help maintain health and improve recovery.
The Food First Approach
The Food First approach focuses on increasing calories and protein through everyday foods before considering nutritional supplements.
Simple changes can include:
- Fortifying foods with extra calories
- Adding protein-rich ingredients
- Including nourishing snacks between meals
- Drinking homemade nourishing drinks
- Monitoring weight and food intake
This approach is recommended within NICE nutritional support guidance.
Fortified Milk
Fortified milk is an easy way to increase calorie and protein intake without increasing portion sizes.
How To Make It
Mix:
- 1 pint of whole milk
- 4 heaped tablespoons of dried milk powder
Fortified milk can be used in:
- Tea and coffee
- Breakfast cereals
- Porridge
- Sauces
- Soups
- Custards
- Mashed potato
- Milkshakes
Nourishing Snacks
Aim to include nourishing snacks between meals where appropriate.
Examples Include:
- Cheese
- Full-fat yoghurt
- Banana
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Hummus
- Crisps
- Mini sausage rolls
- Digestive biscuits
- Chocolate snacks
Regular snacks can help increase calorie intake throughout the day.
Nourishing Drinks
Homemade nourishing drinks can help increase both calorie and protein intake.
Examples include:
- Fortified milkshakes
- Fruit smoothies
- Malted milk drinks
- Dairy-free smoothies
- High-protein shakes
These can be particularly useful for people with a poor appetite or who struggle to eat large meals.
Food Fortification
Adding small amounts of high-calorie ingredients to meals can make a significant difference.
Examples include:
- Butter
- Cream
- Cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Nut butters
- Dried milk powder
- Honey
- Jam
- Olive oil
These ingredients can be added to meals, puddings and snacks to increase nutritional value.
Supporting Wound Healing
For people with pressure injuries or wounds, protein intake is particularly important.
Protein-rich foods include:
- Cheese
- Milk powder
- Eggs
- Nuts and nut butters
- Lentils and pulses
- Seeds
- Soya products
A varied, balanced diet supports healing and recovery.
Monitoring Progress
Keeping food and fluid records can help identify:
- Eating patterns
- Favourite foods
- Missed meals or snacks
- Changes in appetite
- Opportunities to improve nutritional intake
Regular reviews can help ensure nutritional goals are being met.
Further Information Available
This page provides a summary of the Nutrition Care Plan Support Pack.
The full PDF includes:
- Fortified milk recipes
- Food fortification guidance
- Nourishing snack ideas
- Homemade nourishing drink recipes
- Protein toppers for wound healing
- Food diary guidance
- Nutrition goal setting
- Problem-solving advice for poor appetite and eating difficulties
For complete guidance and recipes, please download the full PDF resource.
