Need some advice on nutrition and foods for weight gain.

[Arkansas Granny]

My ex has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has undergone chemo and surgery and was on track for a good recovery when it was discovered that he had stomach cancer. The surgery for that was successful, but he was recently told that cancer has shown up in his spine. He has had radiation for that, but he is still waiting for results. He goes in next week for a scan and a visit with his oncologist. The news so far is not encouraging.

In the meantime, he has suffered a dramatic weight loss and now weighs in at 121 lbs. on a 6' frame. Many of the foods he used to enjoy don't taste good to him now and he doesn't have much appetite. His wife is battling her own health issues and is not able to do much more than just warm things up at this point. He is drinking Boost, or a similar product, twice a day but continues to lose weight.

My daughter would like to fix some single serve nutritious meals for him that might help him to gain a little weight. Does anyone have suggestions as to how we could get the maximum punch in the smallest portions? Something that could be stored in the freezer to just heat and eat would be the most convenient for him.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[MFM008]

1. We're having

A similar ( but not cancer) event with my mom. She's lost 30 pounds in a month at a rehab center. She's just lost interest in eating. They are giving her a small shake that's only about 4- 6 Oz and 200 calories a pop. I'll have to get an empty carton so I can advise.

[SharonAnn]

2. One thing my husband loved was flan (or custard) which still tasted good to him. Eggs, milk, sugar.

[Cracklin Charlie]

3. I will tell you one that I saw work.

A long time ago, I had a tiny auntie who couldn't gain weight. An old school doctor told her to drink one juice glass (small glass) of red wine one hour before dinner every night. It actually worked, although I have no idea why. She gained 10 pounds in the first month, and never had trouble keeping weight on after trying it.

A personal story...eating raw carrot sticks seems to increase my appetite. Again, no idea.why, but if I eat them before dinner, I seem much hungrier.

[CountAllVotes]

4. two ideas

I was very sick a few years ago and couldn't really eat.

I was told by the hospital to get some ENSURE it is called to get some weight on and to provide vitamins, etc. It helped and was not bad taste wise. They had chocolate and vanilla flavors and you can buy it at COSTCO, etc. as it comes in cases. You can also find it at CVS pharmacy, Rite-Aid, etc. Check around as it is not cheap.

I had a craving for tapioca of all things. I was eating stacks of it and found out it is a root commonly used in So. America for stomach problems. You might try that too as it is easy to digest. I also had serious cravings for ... vanilla ice cream!

Wish I had better ideas. Its difficult when you are sick and can't get out much and shop around as you are so very exhausted.

He might try some CBD cannabis edibles if you are in a place where you can obtain such items.

I hope he gets better soon! Take care yourself!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Get him Scandishakes. They have 580 calories per serving.

Made for those needing to gain or maintain weight. Walmart can get them for you. Comes in several flavors. Has supplements in it too.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. Thank all for the good advice. I'll pass this along to my daughter.

[OKNancy]

7. Very High Calorie Boost

My husband drank it. It's very thick, but it does the trick.
You have to order it.
Also try putting chocolate syrup or strawberry syrup in it to add variety

https://www.amazon.com/Boost-Very-High-Calorie-Vanilla/dp/B0089M3FLC/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1489174056&sr=8-1&keywords=very+high+calorie+vanilla+boost

[alfredo]

13. I think it's called 2cal HN. 400 calls per can.

If he can tolerate it, see if you can get a script for it. It's high calorie Ensure.

I've lived on it for over a year. I take it through a feeding tube. It's too rich for me.

[Charles Bukowski]

8. Focus on calorically dense foods.

Nuts, oils, peanut butter, Nutella, etc. Add them anywhere you can. Mix them in drinks if necessary.

Two tablespoons of neutral salad oil mixed with Ensure will instantly turn a 200 calorie drink into a 400 calorie one.

[alfredo]

9. TwoCal HN is what I use. I take my nutrition through a PEG tube.

Take him to a Buffet and let him take a little bit of everything to see what is tolerable.

TKS to this support group for the buffet and idea.

[Marthe48]

10. sorry for delayed respone

I made power shakes for my husband: powdered whey protein, whole milk, Ensure, raspberries, vanilla ice cream. I got his 12 oz shakes up to about 800 calories and 40 or more grams of protein.

He had a feeding tube for 9 months and when he was taken off that, he had some extra Jevity,which is a food product for the feeding tube. I mixed a 1/2 can of that into shakes and got more calories and less bulk.

I hope things are better for you.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Thanks for the response, but he passed away last month.

He fought hard, but in the end, it wasn't enough. He had wonderful in home hospice care and the kids got to spend some time with him before the end. He was aware until the last couple of days so he knew they were there for him.

Although we couldn't make marriage work, he was a decent man and I'm glad his suffering is over.

[Marthe48]

12. I'm sorry for your loss

My husband passed away in Jan. It isn't easy to say good bye.

[alfredo]

14. He needs up to 2,000 calories a day.

Nuts, if tolerated can be a good source of calories. 1/3 cup of Pecans have 220 calories.

two tablespoons of peanut butter contains 188 calories

[Arkansas Granny]

15. Thanks for your reply. Sadly, he passed away a few months ago.

You can see my reply #11 for details.

[alfredo]

16. That's a tough cancer to fight. Sorry about his passing.