Helpful Hints to improve your dietary intake whilst in hospital

NHS Borders 

Catering Department
Borders General Hospital
MELROSE
TD6 9BS
tel:01896 826138

The Importance of Nutrition in Hospital

Good nutrition is an essential part of your care and it is important that you receive adequate nourishment from your food and drinks.

Eating a nourishing diet can aid recovery and potentially reduce your length of stay in hospital.

If you have a poor appetite or have recently lost weight without trying to, it is particularly important to make food and drink choices that will improve your nutritional intake.  

Below are some helpful hints to improve your intake whilst in hospital:

• Try to choose menu options marked with ↑ as these options contain more calories and protein.
• Try to have 3 meals and 3 snacks per day. Choose small portions if your appetite is poor.
• Try to drink whole milk between meals – aim for 3 glasses per day (you can get this from the tea trolley).
• Don’t drink too much before a meal as this can fill you up.
• Spread butter thickly on bread or rolls and have jam or marmalade in addition to butter (you can ask nursing staff for these at any time).
• If your appetite is poor, try to avoid ordering only soup – have a small ↑ meal instead.
• Avoid low fat or sugar free foods and drinks unless you have a medical condition which advises this.
• Try to have at least one pudding every day.
• You can ask for cream to be added to cereal, soups or puddings.

Extra snacks can help add nourishment to your diet. Extra snacks are available on the ward so ask ward staff what is available. Items commonly available on the ward are:

Cream crackers and cheese

• Biscuits e.g. rich tea, digestive, bourbon or custard cream
• Yoghurts
• Custard pots or rice pudding pots
• Jelly
• Scone, butter, jam
• Bread with butter