The body needs a range of nutrients to keep it working well. If you, or someone you care for, does not eat enough of the right nutrients there is a risk of becoming malnourished. When a person loses their appetite it can become a struggle to eat enough food to provide the energy and protein to meet their nutrition needs and maintain their body weight. If this happens it can cause malnutrition.
Malnutrition can cause:
- Low mood
- Reduced energy levels
- Reduced muscle strength
- Reduced quality of life
- Difficulty with carrying out daily activities
- Increased risk of illness and infection
- Slower wound healing
- Increased risk of falls
If you are concerned about unplanned weight loss please speak with your health care professionals who will be able to screen you for malnutrition using a screening tool such as https://www.bapen.org.uk/screening-and-must/must/must-toolkit/the-must-itself This tool assesses individuals as being at low, medium or high risk of malnutrition.
You can also screen yourself https://www.malnutritionselfscreening.org/self-screening.html
I am at risk – What should I do?
It is important to deal with any underlying problems which cause weight loss or poor dietary intake.
Appetite can be affected by many different factors, e.g. low mood/depression, medication, constipation, problems relating to physical health. There can be physical limitations such as swallowing problems, poor tooth health or poorly fitting dentures. People with limited mobility or issues with their memory may benefit from support with shopping for and preparing meals.
If you are medium or high risk of malnutrition some simple changes to what you eat and drink can help you to improve your intake of nutrients such as energy/calories, protein, and vitamins.
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has developed advice to help support a nourishing diet. In general we would recommend the following:
- Aim for 3 small meals and 3 snacks per day
- Use 1 pint of full cream milk daily
- Include a pudding daily
- Buy in foods that you enjoy
- Ask for assistance with cooking where possible
- Share cooking and eating at mealtimes with family and friends if possible
- Try using a company that delivers meals directly to your door or do your shopping online
- Include some fruit and vegetables e.g. fresh, tinned fruit or frozen
- Keep a store cupboard with food such as soups, instant puddings and tinned fruits.
For more detailed advice please click the tiles below.
For information how to increase your calorie and protein content of your diet if you have diabetes
Do I need supplement drinks (oral nutritional supplements ONS) to gain weight?
Most people do not require supplement drinks to help them gain weight or maintain their weight at a healthy level. For those who do require this treatment it is usually short term (3- 6 months) and after this time the large majority of people can manage their weight and nutritional status with diet alone. Supplement drinks are prescribable products and strict criteria (known as ACBS criteria) must be followed for you to receive these products. If you do not meet this criteria there are similar over the counter products that can be purchased in community pharmacies, shops and supermarkets. A list of these products is available below.
Prescribed supplement drinks should only be taken if advised by a Dietitian.