Last updated: May 2026
Next review: May 2028
Improving your Nutrition
Dietary Advice If You Are Having Problems Eating Enough
Good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining health, strength, and wellbeing. If you have a poor appetite, are unintentionally losing weight, or can only manage small amounts of food, making simple changes to what and how you eat can help improve your nutritional intake and support recovery.
Who Is This Advice For?
This advice may be helpful if you:
- Have unintentionally lost weight
- Have a poor appetite
- Can only eat small amounts
- Would like to gain weight gradually
- Have been identified as being at risk of a pressure injury
Why Good Nutrition Matters
Maintaining good nutrition can help:
- Prevent weight loss
- Improve strength and mobility
- Maintain energy levels
- Keep skin healthy
- Support recovery after illness or surgery
- Support the immune system
- Help prepare for surgery
Top Tips For Improving Nutrition
Eat Little and Often
Try to eat something every 2–3 hours.
Aim for:
- 3 small meals each day
- 2–3 nourishing snacks
- Nourishing drinks between meals
Smaller amounts are often easier to manage than large meals.
Make The Most Of Your Appetite
- Eat more when you feel hungriest
- Consider a cooked breakfast if mornings are your best time
- Have a nourishing snack between meals
Eat First, Drink Later
Drinking large amounts with meals can make you feel full more quickly.
Try drinking after meals where possible.
Keep Meals Simple
If cooking feels difficult:
- Choose ready meals
- Use frozen meals
- Try tinned meals such as chilli, curry, or bolognaise
Convenient foods can still provide valuable nutrition.
Include All Food Groups
Aim to include a variety of foods throughout the day:
- Protein foods
- Starchy carbohydrates
- Fruit and vegetables
- Dairy foods or alternatives
This helps ensure you receive a range of important nutrients.
Fortifying Foods
Fortifying foods means adding extra calories and protein to everyday meals without increasing portion sizes.
Examples include:
Breakfast Cereals and Puddings
- Fortified milk
- Full-fat yoghurt
- Cream
- Nuts and dried fruit
Soups and Sauces
- Grated cheese
- Cream cheese
- Fortified milk
- Cream
Potatoes and Vegetables
- Butter
- Cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Olive oil
- Creamy sauces
Salads
- Cheese
- Avocado
- Mayonnaise
- Salad dressings
Fortified Milk
Fortified milk is an easy way to increase calorie and protein intake.
How To Make It
Mix:
- 1 pint full-fat milk
- 2–4 tablespoons dried milk powder
Aim to include fortified milk regularly throughout the day in drinks, cereals, puddings, soups, and sauces.
Nourishing Snack Ideas
Savoury Snacks
- Crackers and cheese
- Scrambled egg on toast
- Omelette with cheese
- Nuts and seeds
- Houmous and breadsticks
- Slice of quiche or pizza
- Bagel with peanut butter
- Cocktail sausages or sausage rolls
Sweet Snacks
- Creamy yoghurt
- Custard
- Rice pudding
- Cake or muffins
- Chocolate
- Scones with jam and cream
- Tinned fruit with cream
- Porridge made with fortified milk
Nourishing Drinks
Milky drinks are often the most nourishing choice.
Examples include:
- Hot chocolate
- Malted milk drinks
- Milkshakes
- Smoothies
- Creamy soups
- Nutritional supplement drinks
These can be useful if eating larger meals feels difficult.
Store Cupboard Essentials
Keeping nourishing foods available can make eating easier.
Useful items include:
- Full-fat milk
- Cheese
- Butter and spreads
- Yoghurts and desserts
- Nuts and dried fruit
- Tinned fish and meat
- Tinned fruit and vegetables
- Soups
- Breakfast cereals
- Ready meals
When To Seek Further Advice
If you continue to lose weight or struggle with eating despite following this advice:
- Keep a food diary
- Contact your GP or healthcare professional
- Ask about referral to a dietitian
Additional support may be available if required.
Further Information Available
This webpage provides a summary of nutrition advice for people experiencing poor appetite, weight loss, or difficulty eating enough.
The full PDF resource includes:
- Detailed Food First advice
- Food fortification guidance
- Fortified milk recipes
- Nourishing snack ideas
- Nourishing drink suggestions
- Store cupboard recommendations
- Weight maintenance advice
For complete information, please download the full PDF resource.
