Download Why do hospital in-patients have a poor appetite and dietary intake

Departments of Nutrition and Dietetics
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Nutrition Support
Why do hospital inpatients have a poor appetite and dietary intake?
Practical information for relatives and carers of adults
This dietary advice sheet gives some general information to help you make the recommended changes to
your relative’s/friend’s diet. If you need more detailed advice or if your relative/friend is following a special
diet that makes it difficult to make these changes, please ask your relative’s/friend’s doctor to refer
him/her to a registered dietitian.
Eating and drinking during illness
It is not unusual for people to lose their
appetite when they are unwell. This may be
because of the illness itself, the treatment or
their fears and anxiety. In addition to this,
being a hospital inpatient and having to fit in
with set meal times is not always easy.
Eating and drinking during a hospital
admission is important as it will help:
•
•
•
Fight infection
Maintain weight
Promote healing
In fact, patients will generally feel better and
be home much quicker. It is best to keep
trying to eat little and often when the appetite
is poor.
Most patients find their appetite
improves/returns to normal once they are
back in their usual routine at home. They
should then return to their usual healthier
eating. If the patient is only in hospital for a
short while, their poor appetite should not
cause any long-term problems.
What nurses do to help
Nurses work alongside dietitians and
catering staff to encourage patients to eat
and maintain their nutritional status. They
ensure patients are positioned correctly and
their food is accessible at all mealtimes.
Patients will receive assistance with eating
when required.
Nurses identify which patients require
specialist dietetic input through the recording
of food charts, regular weighing and through
medical team requests. Nurses will
observe patients eating and notify a dietitian
of any concerns such as reduced appetite
and/or difficulty in swallowing.
What dietitians do to help
Dietitians work with the catering department
to make sure that patients’ needs are met
regarding the nutritional content of meals.
They are also available to see patients
identified by the nurses and doctors as
needing specific advice for their illness or
medical condition.
If patients require further advice after
discharge, dietitians can arrange to see
people closer to where they live.
Approved by: PIF
Review Date: 01/03/2019
Nutrition Support
Why do hospital inpatients have a poor appetite and dietary
intake?
Practical information for relatives and carers of adults
What you can do to help
If your relative/friend dislikes hospital food:
• It may be useful to bring in their preferred
foods (please check with nursing staff prior
to doing this).
• If patients are well enough they could be
taken to the hospital restaurant or café for a
meal.
• Bring in snacks for between meals that can
be kept by the side of the bed such as fruit,
biscuits, sweets, chocolate, crisps, and pots
of custard or rice pudding.
• Ask to speak with the Ward Kitchen
Manager about the availability of preferred
foods.
Advice for home
If your relative/friend’s appetite does not
return to normal, here are some practical
tips to help improve their nutritional intake
at home:
• Encourage eating little and often,
that is small meals with snacks in
between.
• Offer full cream milk and full fat
foods instead of low fat products.
• Add sugar to cereals, puddings and
drinks (not suitable for people with
diabetes).
• Add grated cheese, cream or butter
to potatoes, vegetables, soups,
sauces and puddings.
• Fortify milk by adding 2 – 4
tablespoons dried milk powder to 1
pint milk and use this to make
drinks, soups puddings and
sauces.
Please note that milk and biscuits are always
available for patients from the tea trolley, and
that all wards are stocked with Build-up
milkshakes and soups which can be given
without prescription.
If your relative/friend needs help with eating:
Most of our wards have ‘Protected Meal Times’
so that patients can have an environment which
is relaxing and will encourage and support them
to eat well during their period of illness.
During this time we usually ask visitors not to
come to the wards, however if you would like to
assist your relative or friend with their meal, you
will be most welcome.
Try a nourishing drink such as Complan,
Build-up or supermarket own brand or
make your own fruit smoothie or
milkshake.
If you continue to have concerns, please
discuss with your GP.