Specialist areas
Is your appetite small?
There may be times when you do not feel like eating. Rather than be faced with large meals, try having small, appetising meals and snacks more frequently.
Have some snacks nearby to nibble or try high-energy drinks. For example:
- Cheese and biscuits
- Soup, with milk or cream added
- Biscuits
- Shortbread
- Milky drinks
- Creamy yoghurt
- Enriched milk
- Ice-cream
- Chocolate
- Chocolate mousse
If you do not feel like eating then try having a nourishing drink (e.g. milk, milkshakes, see recipes below) and/or supplement drinks. Ask your general practitioner or dietician about supplement drinks.
Try to relax and eat slowly at meal times.
- Choose foods that you enjoy and which taste good.
- It is important to have 6 - 8 glasses of fluid a day. Try not to drink at mealtimes as this may fill you up.
Sometimes just the smell of food can reduce your appetite. If so the following may help:
- Eat more cold foods than hot foods as they have less odour.
- Ask a friend or relative to cook for you or have ready-made
- Meals that just need to be put into the oven or microwave.
- Eating in a well-ventilated room can also help.
- Get some fresh air before eating.
- Alcohol, e.g. 1 small glass of sherry before a meal, can help to stimulate your appetite.