High Protein and High Calorie Diet

High Protein and High Calorie Diet can help you to gain weight, heal after an injury, and recover after an illness or surgery. The specific amount of daily protein and calories you need depends on:

• Your body weight.
• The reason this diet is recommended for you.

What is my plan?

Generally, a high-protein, high-calorie diet involves:

• Eating 250–500 extra calories each day.
• Making sure that you get enough of your daily calories from protein. Ask your health care provider how many of your calories should come from protein.

Talk with a health care provider, such as a diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian), about how much protein and how many calories you need each day. Follow the diet as directed by your health care provider.

What are tips for following this plan?

Preparing meals

• Add whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream to cereal, pudding, soup, or hot cocoa.
• Add whole milk to instant breakfast drinks.
• Add peanut butter to oatmeal or smoothies.
• Add powdered milk to baked goods, smoothies, or milkshakes.
• Add powdered milk, cream, or butter to mashed potatoes.
• Add cheese to cooked vegetables.
• Make whole-milk yogurt parfaits. Top them with granola, fruit, or nuts.
• Add cottage cheese to your fruit.
• Add avocado, cheese, or both to sandwiches or salads.
• Add meat, poultry, or seafood to rice, pasta, casseroles, salads, and soups.
• Use mayonnaise when making egg salad, chicken salad, or tuna salad.
• Use peanut butter as a dip for vegetables or as a topping for pretzels, celery, or crackers.
• Add beans to casseroles, dips, and spreads.
• Add pureed beans to sauces and soups.
• Replace calorie-free drinks with calorie-containing drinks, such as milk and fruit juice.
• Replace water with milk or heavy cream when making foods such as oatmeal, pudding, or cocoa.

General instructions

• Ask your health care provider if you should take a nutritional supplement.
• Try to eat six small meals each day instead of three large meals.
• Eat a balanced diet. In each meal, include one food that is high in protein.
• Keep nutritious snacks available, such as nuts, trail mixes, dried fruit, and yogurt.
• If you have kidney disease or diabetes, talk with your health care provider about how much protein is safe for you. Too much protein may put extra stress on your kidneys.
• Drink your calories. Choose high-calorie drinks and have them after your meals.

What high-protein foods should I eat?

Vegetables

Soybeans. Peas.

Grains

Quinoa. Bulgur wheat.

Meats and other proteins

Beef, pork, and poultry. Fish and seafood. Eggs. Tofu. Textured vegetable protein (TVP). Peanut butter. Nuts and seeds. Dried beans. Protein powders.

Dairy

Whole milk. Whole-milk yogurt. Powdered milk. Cheese. Cottage Cheese. Eggnog.

Beverages

High-protein supplement drinks. Soy milk.

Other foods

Protein bars.

The items listed above may not be a complete list of high-protein foods and beverages. Contact a dietitian for more options.

What high-calorie foods should I eat?

Fruits

Dried fruit. Fruit leather. Canned fruit in syrup. Fruit juice. Avocado.

Vegetables

Vegetables cooked in oil or butter. Fried potatoes.

Grains

Pasta. Quick breads. Muffins. Pancakes. Ready-to-eat cereal.

Meats and other proteins

Peanut butter. Nuts and seeds.

Dairy

Heavy cream. Whipped cream. Cream cheese. Sour cream. Ice cream. Custard. Pudding.

Beverages

Meal-replacement beverages. Nutrition shakes. Fruit juice. Sugar-sweetened soft drinks.

Seasonings and condiments

Salad dressing. Mayonnaise. Alfredo sauce. Fruit preserves or jelly. Honey. Syrup.

Sweets and desserts

Cake. Cookies. Pie. Pastries. Candy bars. Chocolate.

Fats and oils

Butter or margarine. Oil. Gravy.

Other foods

Meal-replacement bars.

The items listed above may not be a complete list of high-calorie foods and beverages. Contact a dietitian for more options.

Summary

• A high-protein, high-calorie diet can help you gain weight or heal faster after an injury, illness, or surgery.
• To increase your protein and calories, add ingredients such as whole milk, peanut butter, cheese, beans, meat, or seafood to meal items.
• To get enough extra calories each day, include high-calorie foods and beverages at each meal.
• Adding a high-calorie drink or shake can be an easy way to help you get enough calories each day. Talk with your healthcare provider or dietitian about the best options for you.