What to Give Someone Who Is Malnourished?

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

The World Health Organization reports that malnutrition is a leading cause of death and disease globally, particularly in children. Knowing what to give someone who is malnourished is critical for their recovery, but it requires a careful, nutrient-dense approach to rebuild their strength safely.

Quick Summary

Helping a malnourished individual involves providing small, frequent meals rich in calories and protein. Key strategies include fortifying foods with extra nutrients, adding high-fat and high-sugar ingredients, and considering oral nutritional supplements under medical guidance. Prioritizing patient comfort and monitoring for refeeding syndrome are essential for safe recovery.

Key Points

Consult a Professional: Always seek medical advice before starting a refeeding plan to prevent dangerous complications like refeeding syndrome.
Start Slowly and Often: Provide small, frequent meals and snacks that are high in calories and protein to avoid overwhelming the individual's digestive system.
Fortify Everyday Foods: Add extra calories and protein by mixing ingredients like dried milk powder, butter, and grated cheese into soups, mashed potatoes, and drinks.
Choose Nutrient-Dense Snacks: Offer snacks such as nuts, cheese, dried fruit, and high-fat yogurt between meals to boost overall intake.
Use Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS): Consider ONS liquids or powders if dietary changes aren't enough, but only under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Prioritize Easy-to-Eat Foods: Serve soft foods like scrambled eggs, soups, and milk puddings if chewing or swallowing is difficult.
Monitor for Refeeding Syndrome: Watch for signs of metabolic changes during the initial refeeding phase, especially in severely malnourished individuals.

Prioritizing Medical Consultation and Safety First

Before attempting to provide nutritional support, it is crucial to seek professional medical advice. A healthcare provider or registered dietitian can assess the individual's specific needs, determine the severity of malnutrition, and create a safe refeeding plan. Starting an aggressive feeding plan too quickly can be dangerous and lead to refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal metabolic complication.

Strategies for Giving a Malnourished Person Food

For those not severely ill, the "food first" approach is the standard initial step. This involves increasing the nutritional density of their regular diet without significantly increasing the volume, which can be overwhelming for someone with a poor appetite. The goal is to provide high-calorie, high-protein foods in a way that is easy to consume and digest.

Fortifying Meals and Drinks

Enriched Milk: Whisk four tablespoons of skimmed milk powder into one pint of full-fat milk to create a fortified, high-protein, and high-calorie drink. This can be used in beverages, poured over cereals, or made into milkshakes.
Added Fats: Stir butter, margarine, or olive oil into mashed potatoes, soups, pasta, or vegetables. Generously use mayonnaise and dressings on sandwiches and salads.
Protein Boosts: Grate cheese over eggs, add extra beans or pulses to stews, and mix nut butter into porridge or smoothies.
Calorie-Dense Toppings: Add honey, jam, or sugar to porridge and creamy yogurts.

High-Calorie, High-Protein Food Ideas

Snacks: Offer regular snacks between meals, such as nuts and seeds, dried fruit, cheese and crackers, or thick and creamy yogurts.
Main Meals: Include soft, easy-to-eat options like scrambled eggs, macaroni cheese, shepherd's pie, or soups with added cream and grated cheese.
Desserts: These can be a great source of extra energy. Suggestions include rice pudding, custards, ice cream, and fortified milkshakes.

Comparison of High-Energy Food Fortifiers


Food Fortifier	Calories (approx. per tbsp)	Protein (approx. per tbsp)	How to Use
Dried Milk Powder	55 kcal	6 g	Add to milk, cereals, soups, mashed potato
Grated Cheese	40 kcal	3 g	Sprinkle over pasta, vegetables, eggs
Nut Butter	95 kcal	4 g	Mix into porridge, smoothies, soups, curries
Greek Yogurt	60 kcal	2 g	Swirl into porridge, top with fruit or nuts
Butter	100 kcal	<1 g	Melt into sauces, mash into potatoes, spread on toast

Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS)

If dietary fortification is not sufficient, a healthcare provider may recommend oral nutritional supplements (ONS). These are liquid or powder products designed to provide a balanced intake of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

How they work: ONS products contain concentrated nutrients to boost intake alongside regular food, not replace it entirely.
Who they are for: They are often prescribed for individuals with a very poor appetite, chewing or swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), or increased nutritional needs.
Available forms: They come in various flavors and forms, including milkshakes, juices, and puddings, to accommodate different preferences.

Important Considerations for Feeding the Malnourished

Start slowly: Begin with small, frequent meals rather than large, overwhelming portions. The stomach capacity of a malnourished person may be reduced.
Ensure hydration: Offer plenty of nutrient-rich fluids like fortified milk, smoothies, or fruit juice.
Monitor and adjust: Pay close attention to any changes in the person's health, appetite, and digestion. Adjust the diet as needed, and consult with the care team regularly.
Be patient: Recovery from malnutrition takes time and patience. Encourage the person without forcing them to eat.
For specific conditions: Individuals with severe dysphagia or who are unable to eat at all may require more advanced nutritional support, such as a feeding tube or intravenous nutrition, under strict medical supervision.

Conclusion

Providing nutritional support to a malnourished person requires a strategic, cautious, and compassionate approach. Beginning with medical guidance is non-negotiable to prevent serious health complications. For those able to eat, a "food first" strategy of fortifying meals and offering frequent, nutrient-dense snacks is highly effective. The use of oral nutritional supplements can further boost recovery. Above all, patience, consistent monitoring, and professional oversight are the cornerstones of successful and safe recovery from malnutrition. It's a journey best navigated with the advice of dietitians and medical professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most important step is to seek medical advice immediately. A healthcare professional can determine the severity of malnutrition and develop a safe refeeding plan to prevent complications like refeeding syndrome.

Refeeding syndrome is a potentially life-threatening complication that can occur when a severely malnourished person is fed too aggressively. It involves a rapid shift in fluids and electrolytes, which can lead to cardiac and respiratory problems.

To increase calories without adding bulk, fortify meals by adding high-energy ingredients. For example, stir extra butter or cream into soups and sauces, or mix dried milk powder into milk-based drinks.

Excellent high-protein options include eggs, grated cheese, fortified milk, nuts, and beans or pulses added to soups and stews. These provide concentrated protein without being overly large meals.

ONS are often recommended if dietary adjustments alone are insufficient, especially for those with very poor appetites or swallowing problems. However, a "food first" approach is typically attempted initially.

It is best to feed them small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day. A schedule of 3 small meals with 2-3 snacks in between is often recommended.

Opt for nourishing drinks that contain extra nutrients and calories, such as fortified milk, milkshakes, smoothies, and hot chocolate made with full-fat milk.