Supporting Good Nutrition and Hydration

Good nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining health, supporting recovery, and promoting wound healing. When illness, reduced appetite, or long-term health conditions affect a person’s ability to eat and drink adequately, there is an increased risk of malnutrition.

This Nutrition Care Plan Support Pack helps healthcare professionals and carers identify malnutrition risk, develop personalised nutrition plans, and implement practical Food First strategies to improve nutritional intake.

Who Should Use This Resource?

This guidance should be used when:

• A service user has a MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) score of 1 or above.
• There are concerns regarding nutritional intake.
• A service user has pressure injuries requiring additional nutritional support.
• Weight loss, poor appetite, or reduced food intake has been identified.

The Food First Approach

Food First focuses on increasing calorie and protein intake through everyday foods before considering nutritional supplements.

Recommended strategies include:

• Fortifying meals with high-calorie toppings.
• Encouraging nourishing snacks between meals.
• Providing homemade nourishing drinks and milkshakes.
• Increasing protein intake to support tissue repair and wound healing.

These interventions can provide over 1,000 additional calories per day when used consistently.

Fortified Milk

Fortified milk is an easy way to increase calories and protein without significantly increasing portion size.

Benefits include:

• Higher calorie intake.
• Increased protein consumption.
• Suitable for use in drinks, cereals, sauces, puddings, and mashed potato.
• Particularly useful for people who feel full quickly.

Food Fortification

Small additions can make a significant difference to nutritional intake.

Examples include:

Fats

• Butter
• Double cream
• Mayonnaise
• Olive oil spreads
• Pesto

Protein Sources

• Cheese
• Dried milk powder
• Cream cheese
• Nut butters

Energy Boosters

• Honey
• Jam
• Dried fruit
• Golden syrup

Nourishing Snacks

Aim for at least two nourishing snacks each day.

Examples include:

• Bananas and dried fruit
• Full-fat yoghurt
• Cheese
• Nuts
• Hummus
• Mini savoury snacks
• Biscuits and cakes

Nourishing Drinks and Homemade Supplements

Homemade high-energy drinks can help increase calorie and protein intake between meals.

Options include:

• Basic milkshake recipes
• Super Shakes
• Dairy-free smoothies
• Malted honey drinks
• Fruit-based supplements
• High-protein smoothies

Supporting Pressure Injury Healing

People with pressure injuries often require additional protein to support tissue repair.

Protein-rich additions include:

• Cheese
• Dried milk powder
• Eggs
• Seeds
• Nut butters
• Lentils and pulses

Monitoring Progress

Food Record Charts can help identify:

• Eating patterns
• Food preferences
• Missed opportunities for snacks and drinks
• Poor fluid intake
• Barriers to achieving nutritional goals

Regular reviews help ensure care plans remain effective and personalised.

Problem Solving Common Nutrition Issues

Practical guidance is provided for managing:

• Poor appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Taste changes

Simple dietary adjustments can often improve nutritional intake and overall wellbeing.

Further Support

Nutrition care plans should be reviewed regularly, with goals tailored to each individual. Where concerns remain, referral to a dietitian or healthcare professional should be considered.