Mealtimes across our hospital sites are protected, which means that, unless agreed with the ward manager for specific reasons, there is no visiting allowed during this time. It also means that health care professionals can't review patients at this time, unless providing assistance with meals.

If you are a patient in hospital and feel that you need to be seen by a dietitian, please ask your staff nurse to make a referral.

Food fortification in hospital

Food fortification is when nutrients such as fat and protein are added to increase the calorific content of food or drinks without increasing the volume. This can be beneficial for people who are underweight or have a small appetite as higher energy foods may either prevent further weight loss or help with weight gain.

Foods can be fortified in many ways including:

Food fortifier How/what to add to

Double Cream (2 tablespoons)

(This would need to be provided by family or friends)
  • Soups
  • Sauces
  • Porridge
  • Desserts/puddings
  • Mashed potato
Ice-cream (1 scoop)
  • Puddings
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
Butter (10g- e.g. 2 teaspoons or 1 individual portion)
  • Sandwiches
  • Potatoes
  • Vegetables
  • Sauces
Cheese (a match box size portion)
  • Soup
  • Sauces
  • Jacket potato
  • Mashed potato
Mayonnaise (1 tablespoon)
  • Sandwiches
  • Potatoes
  • Salads
*Sugar (1 teaspoon)
  • Stewed fruit
  • Cereals
  • Drinks
  • Porridge
*Sweet spread (1 tablespoon)- (Jam, honey or syrup)
  • Bread
  • Puddings
  • Cereals
  • Porridge

*may not be suitable for those with diabetes, please seek further guidance from health care professional.

Snacks and nourishing drink ideas for hospital patients

When you are unwell it is important to eat foods high in protein and energy, in order to prevent weight / muscle loss and to help with healing. Especially if:

  • you are underweight
  • you are losing weight without trying
  • you are unable to eat enough due to poor appetite or nausea
  • you have higher energy and protein needs

Aim for 3 meals and 2-3 snacks/nourishing drinks per day. Don't rely on your appetite, try to eat something every 2-3 hours. Keep snacks within easy reach and ask visitors to bring in your favourite snacks.

 

Savoury Snacks

 Sweet Snacks

Nourishing Drinks
Crackers / crispbreads (*with butter / cheese/ peanut butter) Custard / rice pudding pot Glasses of milk (available from tea trolley)
Unsalted nuts / seeds

Scone (*with butter / jam)

 Ask for sugar in your tea & coffee
Peanut butter Cereal / muesli bar Fresh fruit juice (available from tea trolley)
Savoury scone (*with butter) Tea cake / hot cross bun (*with butter) Pre-made smoothies
Meat jerky Dried fruit Full sugar fizzy drinks
Prepacked cheese portions i.e. Babybell Flapjack Pre-made milk shakes
*Savoury pies / sausage rolls Malt loaf (*with butter/ peanut butter) Full sugar cordial / squash
 

Fruit cake (& cheese

  
  Cake (fairy cake / cupcake / muffin, cake bar)  
  Tarts & pies (Jam/ Bakewell tart/ fruit pie)  
  Biscuits (shortbread, chocolate digestive, Hobnobs)  
  Pastry / Croissant / Danish  
  Bananas  
  Chocolate  
     

Snacks marked with * would not be suitable for longer term storage on the ward.

Some people have special dietary requirements due to their medical conditions. Please always seek guidance from your dietitian if you are unsure if these options are suitable for you.

Foods to help prevent weight loss in hospital

When you are unwell in hospital you may have a poor appetite that leads to weight loss. A poor appetite can be a result of:

  • Feeling unwell
  • Taste changes
  • Recovery from an illness
  • Sore mouth or ill-fitting dentures
  • Anxiety, Depression or Low Mood
  • Fatigue

Therefore it is important to choose foods that help minimise weight loss as this will facilitate your recovery and healing. It is important to select high energy and protein options for meals during a hospital admission as these will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to heal. While your appetite might be small, you should opt for 3 courses at meal times, and manage as much of each meal as possible. Some simple changes that can help increase the energy and protein content of meals including:

  • Having porridge/cereal AND toast at breakfast
  • Opting for soup over juice as a starter
  • Choosing pudding WITH ice cream/custard over rice pudding or ice cream (alone)

If you feel you need support at meal times, the ward staff are on hand to help assist you.

The table below is an example meal plan of the high energy and protein options available on the hospital menu. You do not need to follow this exact meal plan, but it may support you to make choices to increase your nutritional intake.

 

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 1

Cereal with Whole Cream Milk

or

Porridge

and

Toast with Butter and Jam

And fruit juice

Pea and Ham Hock Soup

 

Minced Beef and Potato Pot Pie with New Potatoes

 

Apple Crumble with Custard

Homemade Minestrone Soup

 

Cheddar and Mozzarella Panini

 

Rice Pudding

Day 2

Cereal with Whole Cream Milk

or

Porridge

and

Toast with Butter and Jam

And fruit juice

Homemade Scotch Broth

 

Sweet Pepper and Cheese Quiche with Roast Potatoes

 

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Custard or Ice Cream

Homemade Country Vegetable Soup

 

Sausage Casserole with Mash Potato or Tomato and Basil Pasta Bake

 

Full Fat Yoghurt

Day 3

Cereal with Whole Cream Milk

or

Porridge

and

Toast with Butter and Jam

And fruit juice

Cream of Mushroom Soup

 

Beef Hot Pot with Mash Potatoes

 

Apple and Cherry Crumble with Custard

Pea and Ham Hock Soup

 

Fish Cake with Parsley Sauce and Potato Wedges

Or Ham and Cheese Panini

 

Strawberry Cheesecake

Day 4

Cereal with Whole Cream Milk

or

Porridge

and

Toast with Butter and Jam

And fruit juice

Homemade Country Vegetable Soup

 

Minced Beef and Dumpling or Fish in Parsley Sauce with Mash Potato

 

Ginger Sponge and Ice Cream or Custard

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

 

Cheese and Tomato Flan with Boiled Potatoes or Cauliflower Cheese

 

Rice Pudding

Day 5

Cereal with Whole Cream Milk

or

Porridge

and

Toast with Butter and Jam

And fruit juice

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

 

Battered Cod and Chips with Mushy Peas

 

Peach Slices and Ice Cream

Spring Vegetable Soup

 

Corned Beef Hash with Mash Potato and Mixed Vegetables

 

Raspberry Jelly and Ice Cream

Day 6

Cereal with Whole Cream Milk

or

Porridge

and

Toast with Butter and Jam

And fruit juice

Homemade Country Vegetable Soup

 

Corned Beef Pie or Cauliflower Cheesy Bake with New Potatoes

 

Jam Sponge and Custard

Homemade Tomato and Herb Soup

 

Macaroni Cheese

 

Rice Pudding

Day 7

Cereal with Whole Cream Milk

or

Porridge

and

Toast with Butter and Jam

And fruit juice

Homemade Tomato and Herb Soup

 

Fish Pie or Roast Beef and Gravy with Mash Potato and Carrots

 

Fruit Cocktail with Ice Cream

Homemade Chicken and Vegetable Soup

 

Cheese Flan or Jacket Potato with Cheese or Tuna

 

Trifle

 

Additional hints and tips:

  • Don't forget about snacks - eating small amounts regularly throughout the day can help you meet your nutritional needs. For more information see our high energy and protein snack ideas page.
  • Ask for drinks of milk - milk is always available on the ward and on the tea trolley, opting for a glass of milk alongside your tea and coffee can help meet your fluid, energy and protein needs.