Guidelines for a High Calorie Diet

For people with Huntington's Disease it is important to eat adequately to prevent weight loss.  Sometimes when people are ill, they don't feel hungry because their appetite decreases.  They may not eat as much as they should and may begin to lose weight.

Here are some tips to help maintain your intake:

1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals (i.e.: 6 instead of 3 times a day).
2. Eat favorite foods in a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.
3. Keep snacks available at all times, such as candy, cheese, cookies, ice cream, sandwiches, or mini-pizzas.
4. Use other cues to remind yourself to eat, such as a clock with a timer, a beeping wristwatch, or the commercial breaks on television.
5. Avoid drinking liquids with meals, because you will fill up too quickly and not have enough room for the food.
6. If you drink a supplement or shake, drink it between meals.
7. Avoid drinking beverages without calories (i.e.: diet soda, seltzer).
8. If you drink coffee or tea, add sugar and whole milk or cream for extra calories.  Or, try a cafe latte or chai tea.

To add extra calories to your food:

1. Use cream, whole milk, evaporated milk, or condensed milk instead of low fat or skim milk.
2. Add cheese, sour cream, butter, margarine, or oil to vegetables.
3. Add avocado to salads, or top with creamy-style dressings.
4. Add cream or butter and sugar to cereal.
5. Scoop ice cream over fruit, cake, pie, or waffles.
6. Add extra mayonnaise to tuna, egg, or chicken salad.
7. Try cream cheese or peanut butter on crackers, bagels, fruit, or carrot sticks.
8. Add coconut cream to shakes or main dishes for extra calories and a tropical taste.
9. Sauces and gravies add calories to meat and potatoes.

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