Maximize your nutrition with these power-packed recipes
The following recipes are designed to help you maximize your caloric intake and assist with weight maintenance or healthy weight gain. For additional recipes, check out the books in the
Stanek Cancer Resource Library, located in the Hematology/Oncology waiting area (2nd floor East building), or call the librarian at (608) 775-1186.
Super Cereal
YIELD: 1 Serving (8 ounces)
4 1/2 Ounces Evaporated Milk
1 1/4 Cup Water
2 Tablespoons Dry Powder Skim Milk
3/4 Cup Dry Oatmeal
6 Tablespoons Margarine
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup White Sugar
Mix water, 1 1/2 ounces of evaporated milk, and dry milk. Bring to a boil. Add oatmeal and cook for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, and stir until creamy.
Calories Per Serving: 495
Protein: 8 grams
Sherbet Shake
YIELD: One Serving
1 Cup Sherbet
3/4 Cup Fortified Milk (see recipe)
Blend ingredients in blender until smooth
Calories Per Serving: 400
Protein: 14 grams
Fortified Milk
YIELD: 4 Servings (1 cup)
1 Quart Whole Milk
1 Cup Non-Fat Dry Milk
Mix and chill. This may be used for cooking in place of milk or water in recipes.
Calories Per Serving: 275
Protein: 19 grams
High-Protein Milkshakes
YIELD: 1 Serving
1 Cup Fortified Milk (see recipe)
1 Generous Scoop Ice Cream
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Butterscotch, Chocolate, or favorite fruit syrup or sauce
Measure all ingredients into blender. Blend at low speed about 10 seconds.
Calories Per Serving: 485
Protein: 22 grams
Carnation Instant Breakfast
YIELD: 1 Serving (8 ounces)
1 Packet Carnation Instant Breakfast (any flavor)
1 Cup Fortified Milk (see recipe)
Blend until well mixed.
For variety try adding 1 cup ice cream and blend for a shake.
Calories Per Serving: 390
Protein: 23 grams
Triple Fruit Smoothie
YIELD: Two 6 ounce Servings
1/2 Cup Frozen Whole Raspberries, unsweetened*
1/2 Cup Frozen Whole Strawberries, unsweetened*
1/2 Banana, sliced
1 – 8 Ounce Can Vanilla Liquid Supplement, well chilled (or 1 cup fortified milk)
4 tsp. Sugar
Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend for 20 seconds or until mixture is thick. Pour into bowls. Serve immediately.
Calories Per Serving: 285
Protein: 6 grams
*If sweetened fruit is used, omit sugar.
Super Pudding
YIELD: Three 1 Cup Servings
2 Cups Whole Milk
3/4 Cup Dry Milk Powder
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Package (41/2 ounce) Instant Pudding (your favorite flavor)
Stir together milk, milk powder, and oil. Add instant pudding and mix well. Pour into dishes and refrigerate.
Serving: 1 Cup
Calories: 495
Protein: 14 grams
Fat: 23 grams
TIPS:
- Serve with cream, heavy cream, whipping cream, vanilla ice cream, or vanilla frozen yogurt.
- For more calories, use dry milk powder made from whole milk instead of non-fat dry milk.
Hawaiian Float
YIELD: One Beverage
2 Tablespoons Orange-Pineapple Juice Concentrate (undiluted)
1/4 Package Vanilla Instant Breakfast (about 1 Tbsp.)
1/4 Cup Ice Water
1/2 Cup Evaporated Whole Milk
1/4 Cup Lime Sherbet
Calories: 315
Protein: 12 grams
Fat: 11 grams
Peach Shake
YIELD: One Beverage
1 Canned Peach Half
3 Tablespoons Dry Milk Powder
1/4 Cup Whole Milk
1/2 Package Vanilla Instant Breakfast (about 2 Tbsp.)
1/4 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream
Place all ingredients in blender and blend well.
Calories: 300
Protein: 11 grams
Fat: 10 grams
TIPS:
- Use whole milk powder for maximum calories and protein.
- Try substituting any milk product you prefer such as condensed milk, whole milk, cream, or half-and-half.
Orange Julius
YIELD: One Beverage
1/2 Cup Orange Juice
1/2 Cup Whole Milk
1/2 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream
1/4 Cup Pasteurized Liquid Egg
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Place all ingredients in blender and blend well. Pour into tall, frosted glasses. Use your favorite garnish: maraschino cherry, sprig of mint, or whipping cream.
Calories: 365
Protein: 14 grams
Fat: 17 grams
Pineapple Soda
YIELD: One Beverage
1/4 Cup Crushed Pineapple, drained
1/2 Cup Whole Milk
1/2 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream
1/2 Cup Pear Nectar
Place all ingredients in blender and blend well. Pour into tall, frosted glasses. Use your favorite garnish: maraschino cherry, sprig of mint, or whipping cream.
Calories: 305
Protein: 7 grams
Fat: 11 grams
Orange Kooler
YIELD: One Beverage
1/3 Cup Orange Juice Concentrate (undiluted)
3/4 Cup Powdered Whole Milk
1 Cup Ice Water
1/2 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream
Place all ingredients in blender and blend well. Pour into tall, frosted glasses. Use your favorite garnish: maraschino cherry, sprig of mint, or whipping cream.
Calories: 365
Protein: 15 grams
Fat: 16 grams
Peanut Butter Drink
YIELD: One Beverage
1/2 Cup Whole Milk
3 Tablespoons Smooth Peanut Butter
3 Tablespoons Chocolate Syrup
1/2 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream
Place all ingredients in blender and blend well. Pour into tall, frosted glasses. Use your favorite garnish: maraschino cherry, sprig of mint, or whipping cream.
Calories: 620
Protein: 21 grams
Fat: 36 grams
TIPS:
- Add 2 to 4 tablespoons whole milk powder to increase calories and protein.
- Try substituting any milk product you prefer, such as condensed milk, whole milk, cream, or Half-and-Half.
- Eliminate the ice water and use milk instead.
Because cancer cells compete with healthy ones, your calorie needs may be greater than usual. Maintaining your weight can help you feel better and tolerate treatments with fewer side effects and complications. Use high-fat foods and concentrated sweets to add calories, not volume.
Quick and easy ways to increase calories
Melt
butter or margarine on toast, soup, vegetables, cooked cereals, eggs, popcorn, rice and pasta. Top baked potatoes, meats and fruits with
sour cream. Substitute
mayonnaise for salad dressing in meat salads and deviled eggs. Eat an apple or banana with
peanut butter or spread it on a sandwich with honey or jelly. Top pies, hot chocolate, fruit, gelatin, puddings, custards, and other desserts with
whipped cream. Spread
jam, jelly, honey, or syrup on bread or crackers or spoon into tea or over cereal. Add
cream cheese to dips, casseroles, sauces or spread it on hot bread or rolls. Use
granola in batters for cookies, muffins, breads; mix with dried fruit or add to hot or cold cereal. Pour
sauces and gravies generously over rice, noodles, potatoes and meats.
Add
avocado slices or guacamole to salads and sandwiches. Put
bacon in sandwiches, casseroles, vegetable dishes, and salads. Sprinkle
brown sugar on hot cereal, and baked winter squash. Drink
milk, fruit drinks or juice when taking medications.
Quick and easy ways to increase protein
You need extra protein to build and repair tissue, create antibodies and fight infection while your body is stressed. If meat is less appealing now, switch to other protein-rich foods. Use
milk, not water, when preparing cream soups and instant hot cocoa. Make
fortified milk (see recipe toward the top of this page)
to use as a beverage, add to shakes or use in recipes. Add
powdered creamer or half-and-half to cream soups, hot cereals, pudding, hot cocoa, sauces, milkshakes and meatloaf. Add
tuna or chicken to soups and casseroles and
grated cheese to cheese sauces, casseroles or vegetables.
It’s a Matter of Taste
If food tastes odd or more bland than usual, these suggestions may help you make your meals more appealing. What works for some people may not work for you, so be as creative as you like.
If foods taste metallic or strange:
- Try tart foods such as citrus juice, cranberry juice, lemons, pickles and relishes to overcome a metallic or strange taste.
- Rinse your mouth with cold water or drink liquids such as tea or fruit juice. Try gum, mints, sourballs or hard candy. These foods can leave their own taste in your mouth.
- Mix one teaspoon of baking soda or salt with two cups of warm water to freshen your mouth.
- Using plastic utensils to prepare, serve and eat food may help reduce bitter or metallic tastes.
If foods taste bland:
- Try marinating or adding extra sauces or seasonings while cooking. These may add a little "spice" to the food and enhance the flavor. Here are some options:
| Barbecue Sauce |
Meat Marinade |
| Beer |
Mustard |
| Catsup |
Soy Sauce |
| Extracts and other flavorings |
Sweet & Sour Sauce |
| Fruit |
Sweet Fruit Juice |
| Herbs & Spices |
Sweet Wines |
| Italian Dressing |
Teriyaki Sauce |
Other foods that may enhance flavor include:
| Bacon Bits |
Red & Green Peppers |
| Chopped Onions |
Cold Cut Strips |
| Ham Strips |
Chili Powder |
| Curry |
|
- Using tart foods such as sherbet, orange juice, lemonade, relishes, vinegar and lemon juice as seasonings may help intensify flavor. If your mouth or throat is sore, you may want to avoid tart foods.
- Try modifying the texture or temperature. Foods may taste better at room temperature, chilled or frozen. Examples include frozen bananas, fruit juices and yogurt.
- Salty foods such as ham, bacon, and sausage may be more tasty.
- Extra honey, syrup or brown sugar on cereal, pancakes and hot fruit may taste good to you.
If foods taste too sweet to you:
- Try adding salt to tone down the sweetness of sugary foods.
- Fresh fruit may be added to ice cream, shakes, eggnogs, puddings and custard to reduce the sweet taste.
- Fruit juices can be diluted with water or 7-Up.
- Choose less sweet desserts like fruit, pumpkin or cream pie, custard and yogurt.
- Try using a bland nutritional supplement (ask your dietitian).
The following foods or snacks are less sweet:
| Pretzels |
Cottage Cheese |
| Crackers |
Cheese |
| Popcorn |
Nuts, Peanuts |
| Luncheon Meats |
Peanut Butter |
| Fruit |
|
- Use margarine, butter, sour cream and salad dressing for toppings instead of syrup, jam and honey.
If foods taste too salty, you can try the following suggestions:
- Adding sugar can reduce the salty flavor of food.
- Try more bland foods without salt. Seasonings and spices may be used if you can tolerate them.
If meat tastes different, you may want to try these alternative good protein sources:
| Cheese |
Malts |
| Poultry |
Cottage Cheese |
| Milk |
Pudding |
| Dried Peas & Beans |
Milkshakes |
| Salmon |
Eggs |
| Nutritional Supplements |
Tofu |
| Fish |
Nuts |
| Tuna |
Instant Breakfast |
| Peanut Butter |
Yogurt |
- Room temperature or cold protein sources may often taste better to you. For example:
| Cottage Cheese Fruit Plate |
Macaroni Salad |
| Cheese Sandwich |
Luncheon Meat |
| Cold Meat Sandwich |
Sandwich |
| Chicken Taco Salad |
Macaroni & Cheese |
- Mix meats with other ingredients as in a casserole, pasta dish or ethnic entree.
- Marinate or add sauces while cooking (refer to "If foods taste too bland" section).