Nutrition
Malnutrition & unintentional weight loss
Under-nutrition slows healing, weakens immunity and lengthens hospital stays. It is common, treatable and frequently missed.
What you are aiming for
- Stop further weight loss first, then rebuild
- Increase energy and protein without increasing meal volume
- Treat the causes: pain, nausea, mouth problems, low mood, poverty, isolation
- Monitor weight weekly rather than guessing
Build meals around
- Food fortification: full-fat milk, cream, cheese, butter, oil, milk powder, nut butters, honey
- Nourishing drinks between meals: milkshakes, smoothies, malted milk
- Protein at every eating occasion, even snacks
- Small meals every two to three hours, eaten by the clock
- Prescribed oral nutritional supplements where food alone is not enough
Limit or avoid
- Low-fat and 'diet' products — the wrong direction entirely here
- Filling up on tea, water or soup before meals
- Large plated portions, which discourage eating
- Long gaps without food
Meal timing
- Eat something every two to three hours, whether or not you feel hungry.
- Take nourishing drinks between meals, not with them.
- Eat the biggest meal at the time of day your appetite is best.
Portions
- Small plates, energy-dense contents.
- Add 100–200 extra calories per meal by fortifying rather than by adding volume.
A sample day
- BreakfastPorridge made with full-fat milk, cream and honey
- Mid-morningFortified milkshake
- LunchSoup with added cream and grated cheese; buttered bread
- AfternoonCustard, or cheese and crackers
- DinnerMashed potato with butter, minced meat in gravy, soft vegetables
- BedtimeMilky drink or ice cream
Common myths
“Losing weight is fine as long as you were overweight before.”
Rapid unintentional loss means muscle loss regardless of starting weight, and it predicts worse outcomes.
“Supplements alone will fix it.”
They work alongside fortified food, and only if the underlying cause — pain, nausea, mouth ulcers, depression — is also treated.
Treatment-related challenges
- Poor appetite from illness, treatment or grief.
- Difficulty shopping and cooking when living alone or frail.
- Dentures, mouth pain and dry mouth making eating slow and painful.
- Cost — fortification with milk powder, oil and eggs is cheaper than commercial supplements.
See a registered dietitian if
- · Unintentional loss of 5% of body weight in 3–6 months
- · BMI under 18.5, or under 20 with recent loss
- · Eating very little for more than five days
Afya Companion offers education and self-help support. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from your doctor, nurse, psychologist or dietitian. If something in your health changes, speak to your care team.