Supporting Good Nutrition, Recovery and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
If you have a poor appetite, have recently lost weight, or need extra nutrition to support recovery or wound healing, the Food First approach can help. Small changes to everyday meals, snacks and drinks can increase calorie and protein intake without requiring large portions.
What Is Food First?
Food First focuses on making every mouthful count by choosing nourishing foods and drinks that provide extra calories and protein.
This approach may help if you:
- Have a poor appetite
- Are losing weight unintentionally
- Need support with recovery after illness or surgery
- Have increased nutritional needs
- Need support with wound healing
Improving Your Appetite
Simple changes can help you eat more throughout the day.
Try To:
- Eat small meals every 2–3 hours
- Avoid drinking before meals
- Have drinks with or after meals
- Get some fresh air before eating
- Use frozen, ready-made or convenience meals if cooking is difficult
- Consider a multivitamin if advised by your healthcare professional
Eating little and often is often easier than managing large meals.
Make Every Mouthful Count
Fortifying foods helps increase calories and protein without increasing portion sizes.
Add Butter and Oils
Try adding:
- Butter or full-fat spread to vegetables and potatoes
- Olive oil to pasta dishes
- Oil when roasting vegetables
- Extra spread on bread and toast
Add Cheese
Cheese can be added to:
- Soups
- Casseroles
- Pasta dishes
- Mashed potato
- Sandwiches
- Beans on toast
Add Mayonnaise and Salad Cream
Use in:
- Sandwiches
- Salads
- Jacket potatoes
- Tuna and chicken fillings
Add Sweet Extras
If appropriate, consider:
- Honey
- Syrup
- Jam
- Sugar
These can be added to porridge, cereals, puddings and hot drinks.
Fortified Milk
Fortified milk is an easy way to increase calories and protein.
How To Make Fortified Milk
Mix:
- 1 pint (600ml) full-fat milk
- 4 tablespoons skimmed milk powder
Use fortified milk in:
- Tea and coffee
- Breakfast cereals
- Soups
- Sauces
- Custards
- Milkshakes
- Hot chocolate
Nourishing Drinks
Drinks can be a useful way to increase nutritional intake when appetite is low.
Ideas Include
- Hot chocolate made with fortified milk
- Malted milk drinks
- Milkshakes
- Fruit smoothies
- Creamy soups
- Iced lattes
These are often easier to manage than larger meals and can provide valuable calories and protein.
Nourishing Snacks
Aim for a nourishing snack between meals and before bed where possible.
Sweet Snacks
- Full-fat yoghurt
- Rice pudding
- Custard
- Chocolate
- Cakes and pastries
- Cereal bars
- Malt loaf
- Scones with jam and cream
- Dried fruit and nut mixes
Savoury Snacks
- Cheese and crackers
- Hummus with crackers
- Crisps and nuts
- Sausage rolls
- Scotch eggs
- Peanut butter on toast
- Beans on toast
- Ham or cheese sandwiches
- Pizza or quiche
Meal Ideas
Breakfast
- Porridge with fortified milk
- Muesli with yoghurt and fruit
- Toast with peanut butter, jam or cheese spread
- Cooked breakfast with eggs and toast
Light Meals
- Creamy soup with buttered bread
- Ham, cheese or egg sandwiches
- Fish finger sandwiches
- Beans on toast with grated cheese
- Quiche with salad and mayonnaise
Main Meals
- Spaghetti bolognese
- Shepherd’s pie
- Fish pie
- Roast chicken with creamy sauce
- Lasagne topped with cheese
- Meat or fish curry with rice
Desserts
Desserts can provide valuable extra calories and nutrition.
Examples include:
- Full-fat yoghurt
- Ice cream and fruit
- Rice pudding
- Milk puddings
- Jelly with evaporated milk
- Crumbles and custard
- Sponge puddings with cream
Additional Support
If your appetite remains poor or you continue to lose weight despite following this advice, speak to your GP or healthcare professional.
You may benefit from:
- Nutritional supplement drinks
- Multivitamin supplements
- Referral to a dietitian for specialist support
Further Information Available
This webpage provides a summary of Food First advice for improving nutrition.
The full PDF resource includes:
- Food fortification guidance
- Fortified milk recipes
- Nourishing drink recipes
- Snack ideas
- Meal suggestions
- Dessert ideas
- Food safety guidance
- Healthy heart and diabetes advice
For complete information, recipes and practical guidance, please download the full PDF resource.
