Last updated: May 2026
Next review: May 2028
Food First Approach: Part 1
Supporting Good Nutrition and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
The Food First Approach is designed to help people increase their calorie and protein intake using everyday foods and drinks. It can be helpful for people who have a poor appetite, are losing weight unintentionally, are at risk of malnutrition, or need extra nutritional support.
What Is the Food First Approach?
Food First focuses on making small changes to meals, snacks, and drinks to increase calories and protein without significantly increasing portion sizes.
This approach may be recommended for people who:
- Have a poor appetite
- Have lost weight recently
- Continue to lose weight despite eating well
- Have been identified as being at risk of malnutrition
- Require additional nutritional support
Practical Mealtime Tips
Simple changes can make eating easier and more enjoyable.
Helpful Tips
- Eat little and often throughout the day
- Aim for three smaller meals and two to three nourishing snacks
- Avoid filling up on drinks immediately before meals
- Make meals look appealing and appetising
- Create a calm dining environment
- Reduce distractions such as television during mealtimes
- Use herbs, spices, lemon juice, or chutneys to add flavour
These changes may help improve appetite and increase food intake.
Fortifying Everyday Foods
Many everyday foods can be used to increase calorie and protein intake.
Foods Commonly Used For Fortification
- Full-fat milk
- Cheese
- Butter or spreads
- Cream
- Full-fat yoghurt
- Mayonnaise
- Skimmed milk powder
These can be added to meals, snacks, soups, sauces, desserts, and drinks to increase nutritional value.
Fortified Milk
Fortified milk is one of the easiest ways to increase calories and protein.
How To Make Fortified Milk
Mix:
- 1 pint of full-fat milk
- 4 heaped tablespoons of skimmed milk powder
Fortified milk can be used in:
- Tea and coffee
- Cereals
- Sauces
- Custards
- Soups
- Milk puddings
- Hot chocolate
- Milkshakes
A fortified milk recipe can provide a significant increase in calories and protein.
Nourishing Snacks
Small snacks between meals can help increase calorie intake without requiring large meals.
Snack Ideas
- Full-fat yoghurt
- Peanut butter on toast
- Crackers with cheese
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Banana
- Flapjack
- Malt loaf
- Cheese straws
- Mini sausage rolls
Regular snacks can help support weight maintenance and improve energy intake throughout the day.
Nourishing Drinks
Sometimes drinking extra calories can be easier than eating larger meals.
Examples include:
- Milkshakes
- Smoothies
- Hot chocolate
- Malted drinks
- Fortified milk drinks
- Nourishing dairy-free drinks
Nourishing drinks are best taken between meals rather than replacing meals.
Finger Foods
Finger foods can help promote independence and improve nutritional intake.
Examples include:
- Sandwiches
- Toast
- Crackers and cheese
- Sausage rolls
- Cocktail sausages
- Pizza slices
- Muffins and crumpets
- Cereal bars
Finger foods can be particularly helpful for people who struggle with larger meals.
Monitoring Nutrition
Keeping track of food intake, weight, and bowel habits can help identify concerns early and support nutritional care planning. The Food First resource includes food and fluid charts, weight monitoring charts, and bowel recording tools.
Further Information Available
This webpage provides a summary of the Food First Approach. The full Food First resource pack contains:
- Food and fluid recording charts
- Weight monitoring charts
- Bowel charts
- Practical mealtime guidance
- Detailed food fortification advice
- Fortified milk recipes
- Nourishing drink recipes
- Dairy-free alternatives
- 100 calorie snack boosters
- Finger food ideas
For complete guidance, recipes, and monitoring tools, please download the full PDF resource pack.
Need Further Support?
If you are concerned about weight loss, poor appetite, or nutritional intake, please speak to your GP, Dietitian, Nurse, or Healthcare Professional for advice and support.
