Do you have a small appetite?

Appetite and health

Having a good appetite is important to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

As you get older or become unwell, your appetite can disappear.

This page offers tips to help you eat better.

Some of the information may be different to typical ‘healthy eating’. However, when you are ill healthy eating may be harmful for your health.

Once you are well or a healthy weight you can return to healthy eating.

Possible side effects of having a small appetite

Higher risk of infection
Higher risk of falls
Lower mood
Lower energy levels
Loss of muscle and reduced strength
Nutrient deficiencies
Hospital treatment may be less effective
More hospital admissions and longer hospital stays

Tips for eating better with a small appetite

Eat ‘little and often’.
Have 2-3 small snacks or milky drinks in between meals.
Try not to skip meals. Skipping meals often can cause low appetite.
Choose full fat/full sugar versions of food/drink rather than the ‘diet’ alternatives.
Try to eat more on the days and times you feel well.
Aim to have 1 pint of milk a day. This can be in tea, coffee or milkshakes.
If following a plant based diet, try and include alternative milky drinks and puddings (e.g soya, oat milks etc).
Have a pudding after meals.
Eat in a peaceful environment. You may find turning on the TV or eating with friends and family helpful.
If cooking/shopping is too much, consider meals on wheels e.g. Wiltshire Farm Foods, Oakhouse or Cook.
If you have access to the internet you may also find home delivery helpful. Age UK and Red Cross can help with shopping.

Which foods should I snack on?

Foods with lots of energy and protein are a good source of fuel. They also help fight infection.

High protein foods include:

Meat, fish, poultry
Cheese, milk, eggs
Tofu, beans, lentils
Yoghurt, cream and milky puddings
Nuts and seeds
Milky drinks e.g. hot chocolate, ovaltine
Fortified drinks and food
If on a plant based diet - dairy free milks and puddings

High energy foods include:

Biscuits
Crisps
Cakes
Chocolate
Puddings
Cream
Butter
Fruit juice and smoothies

Choose full-fat versions of these foods whilst you are unwell.

Snack ideas

Aim for 2-3 snacks every day.

Savoury

“Cream of” soups - have 1 x tin or 1/2 tin with croutons
Handful of Bombay mix or nuts
Matchbox size portion of cheese and crackers
1x bag of crisps
Slice of quiche
3 x cocktail sausages
2 x mini sausage rolls
1 x small pork pie
1 x slice of toast with butter
1 x crumpet or bagel with butter

Sweet

1 x slice toast with butter and jam/marmite/peanut butter/chocolate spread
Scone with jam and cream
Rice pudding
Cereal bar
1 x tea cake
1 x slice malt loaf
Individual puddings e.g. trifle, custard, cheesecake, mousse
1 x bar of chocolate
Full fat yoghurt
1 x handful of dried fruit
1-2 x scoop of ice cream

Nourishing drinks

If you struggle to have extra snacks try to have 1-2 nourishing drinks instead.

Aim to have 1 pint of milk a day. Use in cereal, tea, coffee and other nourishing drinks listed below.

Full cream milk (aim for 1 pint per day)
Milkshakes
Hot chocolate
Malted drinks
Milky coffee and tea
Smoothies
Sugary fizzy drinks e.g. lucozade, cola
Fruit juice
Soya drinks e.g. Provamel, Alpro Soya

Fortifying foods

This can be helpful to make food more nourishing, without having to eat a larger portion.

Fortified milk

Whisk 4 heaped tablespoons of milk powder (e.g. Marvel or supermarket own brand) into 1 pint full fat milk.
Use this fortified milk in cereal, porridge, milky drinks, tea/coffee, puddings, soups and sauces.

Fortified mashed potato

Add 1 x heaped tablespoon of butter and 1 x tablespoon of cheese to a scoop of mashed potato.
Use fortified milk.

Fortified yoghurt/custard/milk pudding

Add 1 x heaped tablespoon of milk powder to one serving of yoghurt/custard/milk pudding.
Add toppings such as jam, syrup, honey, seeds or fruit.

Fortified sandwiches

Use spreads (e.g butter/margarine) generously.
Use lots of mayonnaise or salad cream.
Choose nutritious fillings such as peanut butter, egg mayonnaise, ham, tuna or cheese.

Fortified soups

Add cream, fortified milk, evaporated milk, creme fraiche, cheese or cooked meat.
Have croutons or bread.
Choose creamy varieties e.g. cream of tomato.
If using cuppa soups, make with fortified milk.

Fortified sauces

Use enriched milk to make white, cheese or packet sauces.
Add meat juice to gravy.
Add grated cheese, oil or 1 x teaspoon milk powder to one serving of tomato based sauces.

Fortified vegetables and salads

Try frying or roasting vegetables instead of boiling/steaming.
Add butter or grated cheese to vegetables.
Have cheesy or creamy sauces with vegetables.
Add cheese, nuts, eggs, beans, tofu or lentils to salads.
Use generous helpings of oil/creamy dressing and croutons/potatoes.

What about diabetes?

If you have diabetes and a poor appetite it may not be helpful to follow the usual ‘low fat, low sugar’ healthy eating advice.

However, once your appetite has returned to normal, you can return to healthy eating.

Meal ideas

Breakfast

Creamy scrambled egg with buttered toast
Porridge/cereals with honey/sugar
Crumpets with butter and jam
Muesli with whole cream milk and natural yoghurt

Lunch/lighter meals

Beans on buttered toast with grated cheese topping
A buttered jacket potato with tuna mayonnaise filling.
Ham or cheese omelette, chips and salad with mayonnaise
A creamy soup with added grated cheese and croutons

Main meals

Shepherd’s pie with grated cheese topping and vegetables with added margarine or butter
Chicken curry or dahl with rice or chapatti spread with oil, butter or margarine
Cauliflower cheese made with fortified milk with grated cheese topping
Fish in cheese sauce with creamed potatoes and vegetables with added margarine or butter

Puddings

Milk pudding e.g. rice/tapioca/semolina
Baked egg custard
Crumble with ice cream
Trifle with cream
Jelly made with fortified milk

Nutritional supplements

Some people may be prescribed nutritional supplements from their doctor or dietitian.

Supplements are drinks that are high in energy and protein and can be helpful for some people whilst unwell. They are available on prescription. Your doctor or dietitian will discuss these with you if they think you may need them.

You can buy other supplements such as Complan or Meritene from local chemists. You may find these helpful if you cannot make nourishing drinks at home.

Where now?

For further information you may find the following resources useful.

Brotherton et.al (2010). ‘Malnutrition Matters: Meeting Quality Standards in nutritional Care.’ A report on behalf of the BAPEN Quality Group

How to contact us

Dietetic Department: 0117 414 5248

If you or the individual you are caring for need support reading this leaflet please ask a member of staff for advice.

If you’re an overseas visitor, you may need to pay for your treatment or you could face fraud or bribery
charges, so please contact the overseas office: Tel: 0117 414 3764 Email: overseas.patients@nbt.nhs.uk