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Nutrition & Cancer - High-Calorie Snacks

High-Calorie Snacks

Calorie and protein guidelines during cancer treatment:

Each individual’s calorie and protein requirements will vary. For a rough estimate of calorie needs, plan on consuming 25 to 35 calories for each kilogram of weight (1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds). The current recommended daily allowance for protein is 45 to 60 grams per day. It is important to discuss your individual calorie and protein requirements with your physician or registered dietitian. With some cancers, the metabolic processes can cause a situation known as hypermetabolism that affects how the body uses proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. With hypermetabolism you may need to increase your calorie and protein intake. Discuss this with your physician or registered dietitian.

What foods are high in calories?

Listed below are some suggestions for adding calories and protein to your meals and snacks:

Add butter or margarine (45 calories per teaspoon) to puddings, casseroles, sandwiches, vegetables, cooked cereal, breads, and pasta.
Add wheat germ (25 calories per tablespoon and 2 grams protein per tablespoon):
- to hot cereals.
- to meat dishes, cookie batter, and casseroles.
Add mayonnaise or salad dressing (45 calories per teaspoon) liberally to sandwiches, salads, and as a dip for raw vegetables or sauce on cooked vegetables.
Add evaporated milk (25 calories and 1 gram protein per tablespoon) in place of whole milk in desserts, baked goods, meat dishes, and cooked cereal.
Add sour cream (26 calories per tablespoon) to:
- potatoes, casseroles, and dips
- sauces and baked goods.
Add sweetened condensed milk (60 calories and 1 gram protein per tablespoon) to:
- pies, puddings, and milkshakes.
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and spread on toast.
Add gravies (40 calories per tablespoon) liberally on mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, and meats.

The following snack ideas can be eaten as a meal or in addition to meals.

Meal or Snack Idea	Recipe	Calories Per Serving
Cheese toast	1 oz. cheese 1 slice toast	175 per slice
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with milk	2 slices bread 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1 tablespoon jelly 8 oz. whole milk	555
Bagel with cream cheese, jelly, and juice	1 large bagel 1 oz. cream cheese 1 tablespoon jelly 12 oz. apple juice	510
Cheese pizza	2 slices of cheese pizza	300
Egg and cheese on an English muffin	1 egg 1 oz. cheese 1 English muffin	285
Yogurt smoothie	8 oz. yogurt 1/2 c. Half & Half® 1 c. frozen strawberries	390
Peanut butter and banana on toast	1 slice toast 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1 banana	320
Chili cheese fries	1 c. French fries 3 1/2 oz. chili 2 1/2 oz. melted cheese	619
Nachos with beans and cheese	1 oz. tortilla chips 1/2 c. refried beans 2 1/2 oz. melted cheese Salsa to taste	560
Trail mix	1 cup Cap'N Crunch® 12 almonds 2 tablespoons peanuts 1/3 c. raisins 1/2 c. chocolate chips or M&M's®	582
Tuna salad on crackers	1/2 cup tuna salad 5 crackers	440
Granola bar and yogurt	8 oz. fruit-flavored yogurt 2 granola bars	480

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