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Barber, Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush, Scott, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Wichita

SOUTHWEST KANSAS
     
AREA AGENCY ON AGING

How to Increase Calories to Prevent Weight Loss

Warning Signs That Suggest a Person May be at Risk for Unintended Weight Loss:

·        Needs help to eat or drink

·        Eats less than half of meals/snacks served

·        Has mouth pain (dentures/toothache)

·        Has a hard time chewing or swallowing

·        Coughs or chokes while eating

·        Has sadness, crying spells, or withdrawal from others

·        Is confused, wanders, or paces

·        Has diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, or other chronic disease

How to Increase Food/Calorie Intake:

·        Encourage person to eat during meals and between-meal snacks

·        Honor food likes and dislikes

·        Help when you note problems with feeding

·        Allow enough time to finish the meal

·        Keep records of foods/snacks eaten to share with doctor or dietitian

·        Tell your doctor if the loss of appetite is linked with sadness or depression

·        Provide high-calorie and protein dense foods

Providing High-Calorie and Protein Dense Foods

·        Add powdered milk to foods and beverages to add protein and calories (2-3 Tbs./serving)

·        Choose the higher fat/calorie version of foods (e.g. choose ice cream rather than ice-milk or sherbets, fruit in heavy syrup rather than juice, tuna fish packed in oil, rather than water)

·        Encourage snacks between meals and before bedtime

·        Avoid low calorie foods that might fill up without adding calories (thin broth, tea or coffee, gelatin)

·        Use Carnation Instant Breakfast or commercial supplements (Ensure Boost)

 


 

Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
P. O. Box 1636 • Dodge CityKansas 67801


620-225-8230 • Older Kansan's Hotline 800-742-9531 • Fax: 620-225-8240 • SWKAAA@hotmail.com

PSY 5/24/2007