What should a malnourished person eat? A Guide to a Restorative Diet

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition affects millions globally, and proper nutrition is critical for recovery. A person suffering from malnutrition requires a diet focused on re-establishing nutrient levels, prioritizing energy-dense and protein-rich foods to regain health and strength safely.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical dietary strategies for recovering from malnutrition, focusing on high-calorie, high-protein, and nutrient-dense foods. It details how to fortify meals, incorporate frequent snacks, and choose nourishing drinks to aid in safe weight gain and restore nutritional health.

Key Points

Prioritize calorie and protein: Focus on high-energy, protein-rich foods like full-fat dairy, lean meats, and nuts to facilitate weight gain and muscle repair.
Fortify meals: Add extra calories and nutrients to regular food by incorporating butter, oil, cream, cheese, and milk powder.
Eat small, frequent meals: Opt for 5-6 smaller meals and snacks throughout the day to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure a steady nutrient intake.
Choose nourishing drinks: Select high-calorie beverages like milkshakes, milky coffee, and smoothies, and avoid filling up on low-calorie drinks.
Address eating difficulties: Adjust food texture (e.g., soft or puréed) for chewing or swallowing problems, and use gentle exercise to stimulate a poor appetite.
Consult a professional: For severe malnutrition or underlying health conditions, medical guidance from a healthcare provider or dietitian is crucial for a safe recovery.

The 'Food First' Approach: Maximizing Calorie and Nutrient Intake

When a person is malnourished, the priority shifts from general 'healthy eating' guidelines to a 'food first' approach, emphasizing high-energy and high-protein foods. The goal is to maximize nutritional intake with small, frequent meals, making every bite and sip count.

Prioritizing High-Energy and Protein Foods

The recovery diet for a malnourished person must be calorie-dense to support weight gain and rich in protein to rebuild muscle tissue. This means opting for full-fat, full-sugar options that are often limited in a standard healthy diet. Some excellent choices include:

Full-fat dairy: Whole milk, full-fat yogurts, and cheeses are excellent sources of calories, protein, and calcium. Fortified milk, made by adding skimmed milk powder to whole milk, can be particularly effective.
Lean meats, fish, and eggs: These are vital for providing high-quality protein to support muscle repair and growth. Oily fish like salmon also offer healthy fats.
Starchy carbohydrates: Potatoes, pasta, rice, and bread provide essential energy. Fortifying these with extra butter or cheese can boost their calorie content.
Healthy fats: Incorporate avocados, nuts, seeds, and nut butters into meals and snacks for concentrated energy.

Fortifying Your Meals for Extra Nutrition

One of the most effective strategies is to 'fortify' everyday meals by adding extra calories and protein without significantly increasing the portion size.

Add butter, oil, or cream: Stir extra butter or cream into mashed potatoes, soups, and porridge. Use oils for cooking vegetables or mixing into sauces.
Sprinkle grated cheese: Melt grated cheese over scrambled eggs, pasta, or vegetables.
Mix in powdered milk: Add skimmed milk powder to soups, cereals, and milkshakes for a protein and calorie boost.
Use nut butters: Spread peanut butter thickly on toast, crackers, or mix it into porridge and smoothies.

Incorporating Frequent Snacking

A small appetite can make large meals challenging. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, with 2-3 snacks in between, helps prevent the feeling of being overwhelmed and ensures a steady nutrient intake. Good snack ideas include:

Thick and creamy yogurts
Cheese and crackers
Nuts and dried fruit mixes
Scones, crumpets, or toast with plenty of butter and jam
Boiled eggs
Milkshakes or smoothies made with full-fat milk and added protein powder or nut butter

Comparison of High-Calorie Foods

To highlight the difference between standard and fortified options, here's a comparison table focusing on common food items. The calorie and protein values are approximate and can vary based on brand and preparation.


Food Item	Standard Preparation	Fortified Preparation	Approx. Calories	Approx. Protein (g)
Mashed Potatoes	Plain mashed potatoes with water and salt	Mashed with full-fat milk, butter, and grated cheese	150 kcal/cup	4 g
Porridge	Made with water	Made with fortified milk, topped with cream and honey	300+ kcal/bowl	10+ g
Milk	1 cup skimmed milk	1 cup fortified milk (whole milk + skim milk powder)	80 kcal/cup	8 g
Sandwich	Turkey on whole wheat bread	Tuna salad with mayonnaise and buttered white bread	250 kcal/sandwich	20 g
Yogurt	150g low-fat yogurt	150g full-fat Greek yogurt with added nuts	100 kcal/serving	10 g
Drink	1 cup water	1 cup full-fat milkshake with added ice cream	0 kcal/cup	0 g

Nourishing Drinks and Addressing Potential Difficulties

Drinks can play a significant role in providing calories and nutrients when a person has a poor appetite. Choosing wisely can make a big difference.

Choosing the Right Fluids

Milky Drinks: Hot chocolate, milky coffee, milkshakes, and malted drinks are excellent choices. Using fortified milk can boost their nutritional value further.
Smoothies: Blending full-fat milk, fruit, and yogurt or nut butter creates a calorie-dense, easy-to-consume drink.
Juices: Fruit juices can provide calories, but a balance should be maintained. Consider adding egg powder to juice for extra protein.
Avoid empty calories: Beverages like diet soda or plain tea/coffee offer little nutritional benefit and can fill you up, reducing your appetite for calorie-dense foods.

Overcoming Challenges

Some malnourished individuals may face additional challenges such as chewing or swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) or managing chronic conditions like diabetes.

Difficulty swallowing: Soft or puréed foods, like creamy soups, mashed vegetables with added butter and cream, and milk puddings, are easier to consume.
Poor appetite: Eating small, frequent meals can be less daunting. Gentle exercise, such as a short walk before meals, may also help stimulate appetite. Making mealtime a pleasant, relaxed experience can also encourage better intake.
Underlying conditions: If managing other health issues, such as diabetes, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional. Fortifying with healthy fats and protein rather than extra sugar is often recommended.

Conclusion: A Roadmap to Recovery

Recovery from malnutrition requires a strategic and sustained effort centered on a nutrient-rich diet. By adopting a 'food first' approach, prioritizing high-calorie and high-protein foods, and fortifying meals, individuals can safely and effectively restore their nutritional health. Frequent, small meals and nourishing drinks are key to overcoming a reduced appetite, while addressing any underlying issues with a healthcare professional ensures a safe and effective recovery process. For severe cases, or if complications arise, medical supervision is essential to avoid risks like refeeding syndrome. Consistency and patience are vital components of this dietary roadmap to recovery. For more information, consult the National Health Service (NHS) for additional meal ideas and tips on managing a smaller appetite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Treating malnutrition requires a carefully monitored approach, especially in severe cases, to avoid refeeding syndrome. The quickest method is to start a high-calorie, high-protein diet with frequent small meals and fortified foods, under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

While eating more is essential, recovery requires a strategic diet focused on high-energy, nutrient-dense foods, not just quantity. Fortifying meals with extra fats and protein, and eating frequently, is more effective than simply trying to eat larger portions.

The best foods include full-fat dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, nut butters, and starchy carbohydrates like potatoes and rice, all enriched with extra calories.

You can make foods more calorie-dense by adding extra ingredients like butter, oil, cream, grated cheese, or milk powder to mashed potatoes, soups, and sauces. Using full-fat versions of products is also key.

Nourishing drinks are recommended, such as full-fat milkshakes, smoothies with added protein, and hot chocolate. Fortified milk can also be used in hot and cold drinks to increase calorie and protein intake.

For those with a poor appetite, it's best to eat 'little and often' – 3 small meals with 2-3 snacks throughout the day. Opt for favorite foods that are easy to eat, and avoid drinking liquids just before meals.

Avoid foods and drinks labeled as low-fat, sugar-free, or diet, as these contain fewer calories and nutrients. Also, avoid filling up on low-calorie drinks like diet soda, plain tea, and coffee, as they can suppress your appetite for more nourishing foods.

Medical supervision is necessary for severe cases of malnutrition, especially in the initial refeeding stages, to monitor and prevent complications like refeeding syndrome. It's also vital if a person has underlying health conditions or struggles with eating.