Tips for maintaining your weight

Have regular meals

Eat small meals frequently (e.g. every 2–3 hours), and have a regular eating pattern rather than waiting until you’re hungry. Keep ready-to-eat food on hand for when you are too tired to cook (e.g. tinned fruit, yoghurt, frozen meals).

Choose nourishing food and drink

Ensure that meals and snacks are nourishing and include protein such as meat, chicken, fish, dairy products, legumes (e.g. lentils, chickpeas), eggs, tofu, nuts and nut butters. Choose nourishing drinks (e.g. milk, smoothies). A dietitian may also suggest nutritional supplement drinks.

Load up your food

There are different ways to add extra kilojoules to your food:

• Add milk powder to cereals, sauces, mashed vegetables, soup, drinks, egg dishes and desserts.
• Add cheese to sauces, soup, baked beans, vegetables, casseroles, salads and egg dishes.
• Add sugar, honey or golden syrup to cereals, porridge or drinks.
• Use a powdered nutritional supplement recommended by your dietitian.

Adjust to taste changes

You may find your sense of taste changes after treatment. If food tastes bland, add extra flavouring such as herbs, lemon, lime, ginger, garlic, honey, chilli, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or pickles. Eating moist fruits such as berries or sucking boiled lollies can help if you have a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth.

Avoid strong food smells

If food smells bother you, ask family or friends to do the cooking. You may also prefer cold food or food at room temperature without a strong smell.

Talk to a dietitian

A dietitian can help if you are finding it hard to work out the right foods to help you gain weight. You should also check with a dietitian before cutting out particular foods.

Follow your appetite

It’s okay to focus on eating foods that you enjoy. Gaining or maintaining weight is more important at the moment than avoiding extra fat and sugar.