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Besides nutritional drinks, what are some convenient high calorie grab and go options?

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Speak with a nutritionist. A recent phone visit with my husband and a nutritionist was a great help to him in getting in more calories and protein with an underlying GERD problem. Different things work for different people.

Be sure, if this is a person who can tolerate them, to have a dish of nuts on the counter to grab and chew. Excellent protein source and tasty. Cottage cheese (whole milk), vanilla yogurt and berries (Brown Cow is my recommend) is delicious.

Good luck!
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Trader Joes has some good drinks and so does Whole Foods have Pressed Juices . Bolton House has protein drinks . Soft cheeses, yoghurt , cans of sardines , Boiled hard eggs , Peanuts , peanut butter and crackers .
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I have to have fresh strawberries and apples in the frig. These are the snack he wants.
Trader Joe’s medetersnian humus, naan pita crackers
Trader Joe’s greek yogurt with mango
Trader Joe’s frozen fruit, strawberries, cherries, mixed berries.
berguires milk in glass jars is great. Get that at Sprouts.
daves killer bread and svocado
I take Trader Joe’s frozen boneless chicken breasts and a container of low sodium chicken broth. Stick that in my pressure cooker.. leave it to cook. Now I have a good base to make smaller meals.. for all of us, the cats, the, dogs, and us 2 humans.
its cheaper than pet food.
last night I made him shredded chicken in broth with bits of tofu, added frozen broccoli, black pepper and oregano.. i made two small bowls for us. Tonight I may add jalepeno to it with Parmesan cheese.. i just don’t have energy to make a full blown meal which will be too much to eat at one sitting. He feels rice and pasta (new thoughts- used to eat it like crazy) is filler food…
Albertsons has a nice precooked salmon that is reasonable.. just warm in microwave. Cook up frozen soybeans or peas for the side..
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I’m beginning to experience caregiver lag… I’m tired.. more do now, and we haven’t leveled down… to immobility, or complete dependability yet…
o guess I’m in denial I’m having to face this now…
he used to put his “2 cents” worth of commenting on my cooking. He’s lucky he’s getting anything.. so he’s appreciative of we hat he gets. Perhaps if he followed my crazy diets, he wouldn’t be in his situation now. Good news; I liost 30 pounds!!! :)
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depending on the person - these are all high protein:
nuts and nut butters
hardboiled eggs
cheese
hummus
dry peas - think wasabi peas and others in trail mixes
soy products - edamame, tofu
yoghurt
jerky

Higher calorie options would include fats and oils:
avocado
nuts
butter
whole fat dairy - milk, cheese
ice cream
whipped cream or whipped coconut cream
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Sarah3: Perhaps the individual can see a nutritionist. Actually, I plan to do so myself since I need to gain weight.
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Mashed potatoes or oatmeal with salmon (fresh or canned) or Camenbert cheese and olive oil. Add some mustard if allowed. Mix all with food processor. Get as close as possible to real festive meal, instead of contrived combinations. The glucose conversion of mashed potatoes or oat meal will be stretched out over time by salmon, cambert cheese and olive oil.
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I went on a vegetarian diet after Covid-19 started. In April I was hospitalized-with a fractured hip. I ordered everything vegetables for food. I was given protein drink in the hospital and rehab,so I started drinking Booster. A month ago I started eating chickens, my health improved and energy went up. I don’t need Boosters or any others protein shakes or bars. Content with eating meat and nuts.
bye-the- way I say sorry to the chicken before I eat it.
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Fat Bombs:

https://www.eatwell101.com/cheesecake-keto-fat-bombs-recipe

How healthy are fat bombs?
Healthful ingredients in fat bombs help you manage your weight, keep your blood sugar stable and help you feel fuller. These fat bombs are chock-full of quality fats like coconut oil, macadamia nuts, cacao butter, ghee and MCT oil. There's a fat bomb for every craving and afternoon pick-me-up.

If you Google Fat Bombs, you'll get a ton of recipes for them.
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remember1984 Oct 2023
Coconut in all forms seems to get negative reponses from dieticians. Olive oil seems universal favorite.
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@Sarah3 -

It would be helpful to know more about the situation and why you are looking for "high protein/calorie" options. What is the ailment (if any)? Who is this request about? How old is he/she? What does the person like to eat?

As people approach their final days, they often slow down their eating - this is for a reason.

End-of-life experts will tell you it is always important to offer food, but let the person make up his or her mind as whether to eat it or not.

A personal note: My father's doctors pushed high calorie foods when he was dying from metastasized lung cancer. In the end, all my father wanted were fresh fruit juices. IMO there is something healthful and positive about providing "live" foods (particularly fruit and vegetables juices) to people who are ill.
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So glad I'm not seeing Ensure listed here much...they have so much sugar in them.

A much better protein drink is the Costco Kirkland brand (milk concentrate, with 25 vitamins and minerals, and come in several flavors): 30 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar. Comes in many flavors.

Also, the Costco Kirkland protein bars have 21 grams of milk/whey isolate protein (though gluten free), and only 2 grams of sugar. I love their "chocolate brownie" / "chocolate cookie dough" 2 pack ones (10 of each flavor). Not crazy about the other flavor pair they sell.

Of course protein drinks and protein bars are not the be all and end all...better to eat actual food, as mentioned above...but these drinks and bars are great to have on hand, as they have a really long shelf life and easy to grab one and go.
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I mix Jello instant pudding with heavy whipping cream, tastes like ice cream.
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Nuts are high in fat -
Bananas are (usually) digestible
Protein powders (read the labels)

Google as I did here and found the following.
Be aware of what they can eat / digest.

This is from: https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/high-calorie-high-protein-diet/

High Calorie High Protein Food List:
Greek yogurt
Hard cheeses
Cottage cheese
Whole eggs
Beef
Poultry
Pork
Fatty fish
Soy milk
Nut Butters
Beans
Legumes
Nuts
Seeds
Oral nutrition supplements
High Calorie High Protein Meals

A high calorie high protein meals should be spread throughout the day.

Eggs are a great option for breakfast. Adding butter, milk, or cheese will increase the calorie content. Hot cereals, overnight oats, muffins, and protein waffles are other high calorie, high protein breakfast items.

In addition, check out our weight gain breakfast ideas to include in your high calorie high protein meal plan.

Sandwiches, soups, casseroles are hearty meal options high in both calories and protein. Pairing a sandwich with fruit, cottage cheese and a cup of juice will complete the meal.

At dinner time, a side salad with dressing, adding gravies or sauces to meats and vegetables and offering bread with butter will make it a higher calorie meal. It is important to include whole grains, fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks.

Someone mentioned cottage cheese: I love it with wheat germ. Use whole fat cheese although 100% whole 'fat' dairy also is a chollestrol concern.

Perhaps contact a nutritionist or dietitian who works with elders/dietary needs.
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BioChem protein powder is good.
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Cook oatmeal according to directions. Add cinnamon, honey, stirr. Add some ensure. Stir in. Add frozen blueberries fold. Enjoy
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remember1984 Oct 2023
Oatmeal with salmon (fresh or canned )and olive oil.
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Breakfast::

dice up firm tofu, scramble 2 eggs add your favorite veggies, green onion, spinach, mushrooms, pepper, I like jalapeño, and or bell pepper,
sauté veggies, add tofu, as your stirring chop tofu up in pan if you wish, once spinach is wilted add egg. Cook, scramble , add a bit of black pepper and Parmesan cheese for flavor.
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I like cottage cheese with chopped green onion..

sautee diced chicken breast with onion, peppers, broccoli, tofu, garlic, a bit of Trader Joe’s ginger, (frozen cubes) and a handful of premade shredded cabbage.. sauté and serve.
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I put the protein drinks in blender with with ice, frozen fruit, either nonfat Greek yogurt or add an extra scoop of powder and a bit of nonfat milk. I use the vanilla endure extra
protein and 350!cslories. It’s filling, and tasty too.
Carrots snd hummus.
svocado toast
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It can be difficult to find high-calorie food items that seniors will actually eat or tolerate, depending on their gastrointestinal issues. I have found that most recommendations for high-protein snacks are for things my mom can't/shouldn't eat (such as a lot of nuts, dairy, etc.) And it doesn't matter what "I" think she should eat, if it's not something she wants, it will go to waste. Also, many grab-and-go options are processed, also not good. Yet we need them to eat. So here are some things I know to be nutritious and calorie dense, and hopefully some work for you!

* Pitted Medjool dates, slit and stuffed with nut butter
* Hard-boiled eggs, deviled eggs
* Individual avocado tubs, single-serve found near the hummus and dips (serve with protein crackers -- not chips)
* Trail mix, make your own
* Hummus (can get individual packs that come with pretzels)
* Cheese sticks, individually wrapped
* Macadamia nuts, pistachio nuts (possibly the most beneficial and easily tolerated)
* Peanut butter crackers (make a batch using their favorite cracker, don't buy the premade ones which are full of chemicals)
* PBJ sandwich using fruit-only spread
* Olives (cube some cheese and meat and olives for a portable charcuterie snack)
* Banana with peanut butter (you can get individual PB packets)
* Protein bars/cookies, granola bars (seek high-quality, not the sports kind which they probably won't even like)
* Individual cottage cheese, yogurt
* Snacks made with Tahini (sesame paste). Google how to make no-bake protein balls
* Snack size bagels and cream cheese
* Make mini quiches in cupcake pans, freeze to have on hand and quickly reheat.

Protein drinks tend to fill them up and then they don't eat so they become meal replacements. Also, I have never once in my life seen my mom drink an entire one so they truly don't add up in the nutrition/calorie department. Ensure is terrible, full of oil, at least opt for Boathouse.

Good luck!
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Dupedwife Oct 2023
You are correct when you said Ensure is “terrible”. Ensure tastes very medicinal to me. I do not like how it tastes.
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I re-read your question. Are you asking about food items, not drinks? Some stores now stock precut and assortment individual packs of cheese, nuts and meat. Hard boiled eggs. Yogurt. Tuna, sardines, anchovies, smoked salmon.
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Costco/Kirkland Chocolate Banana Almond Drink
https://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Organic-Chocolate-Banana/dp/B07MV48CDN (buy it at Costco, not Amazon)

Naked Juice
https://www.nakedjuice.com/

Bolthouse Farms
https://www.bolthouse.com/products/beverages/
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www.katefarms.com

If you dislike it or it doesn't agree with you they will refund your money on your first case, and you don't even have to send it back to them. Limited in flavors. Plan proteins that are well tolerated by many with GERD and other issues.

Check them out online. On Facebook where you can get coupons. A tad pricy compared to say ensure.
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