Diet Guidelines for Boosting Calories During Cancer Treatment

June 08, 2020

Energy = calories: During cancer treatments, the body needs extra energy to heal. Calories provide our body energy. If enough energy/calories are not provided from food, the body breaks down muscle mass to provide energy. When the body breaks down muscle it can cause weakness, slow recovery, and may cause a poor appetite — decreasing the ability to consume enough calories. The following foods provide high amounts of energy/calories even in small amounts.

Food item	Amount	Calories	Recommendations
Nut Butters (Peanut, Almond, Cashew)	2 tablespoons	190 calories	Spread over toast, bagels, crackers Mix in oatmeal/ cold cereals Eat with carrots, celery, apples With ice cream Add to milkshakes or smoothies
Avocado	1/2 avocado	160 calories	Eat alone, on sandwiches, salads, toast, soups, or eggs Make guacamole dip w chips/veggies
Honey	1 tablespoon	65 calories	Add to fruit desserts, milk, cereals and yogurt Put on meats/poultry
Coconut Coconut milk (in a can) Coconut Cream (in a can)	1/4 cup (shredded) 1/3 cup 2 tablespoons	115 calories 120 calories 95 calories	Add to desserts Add to make sauces, curries. Mix in smoothies Add to coffee Add to rice dishes, soups, or hot cereals
Dried Fruit: Raisins Apricots Dates Prunes	1/2 cup dried fruit	250 calories	Add to breakfast cereals (hot/ cold) Add to desserts (muffins/cookies/puddings/pies) Mix with cooked squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots Add to nuts/granola for a trail mix
Heavy Cream	1 tablespoon	50 calories	Top soups or salad molds Add on cocoa or flavored coffees Add with fruit or dessert Add to mashed potatoes, gravies Use in cold cereals instead of milk Add to smoothies
Half & Half	1 tablespoon 1 cup	20 calories 315 calories	Pour over fish and chicken when baking Use in place of milk for cereal, pudding/custard, soups, sauces, casseroles, and in mashed potatoes
Sour Cream	2 tablespoons	40 calories	Mix into cream soups/ chili Mix in vegetables and casseroles Dip for raw veggies Use in sauces, salad dressings, pancakes, waffles, and potatoes
Oils (Olive, Coconut) or Butter	1 tablespoon	120 calories	Add to hot foods: veggies, rice, pasta, soup, casseroles, and hot cereals Mix w/ herbs for sauces/marinades Make a seasoned dip for breads Add to hot chocolate or smoothies
Mayonnaise	1 tablespoon	95 calories	Add to salad dressings Spread on sandwiches (You can use an olive oil based mayonnaise as a healthier substitution)
Syrups	2 tablespoons	100 calories	Chocolate/Butterscotch w/ice cream or yogurt Fruit syrups for glazes on meats Add to crackers for snacks Put in coffees/teas
Granola	1/4 cup	130 calories	Add to cookies, muffins, bread batters and pudding mixes Top yogurt, ice cream Mix with fruit and nuts
Ground Flaxseed	2 tablespoons	70 calories	Add to casseroles, meat, bread, muffins, batters Sprinkle on fruit, cooked veggies, yogurt Use in place of breadcrumbs
Hemp seeds or hearts	3 tablespoons	180 calories	Add to smoothies, hot cereals, sandwiches Sprinkle on eggs, toast, or salads
Hummus	2 tablespoons	70 calories	Spread on sandwiches/wraps, or use as dip for warm pita bread/crackers
Cream Cheese	1 tablespoon	50 calories	Use in desserts, dips, and soups. Spread on sandwiches
Shredded Cheese	1/2 cup	230 calories	Use in casseroles, chili, or soups, salads, eggs, or pasta

Content written by Nutrition Department.
Produced by ERAS Program and Patient Education Department.
Reviewed by Patient & Family Advisors.

Diet Guidelines for Boosting Calories During Cancer Treatment

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