Sometimes it’s Necessary to Gain Weight

Despite talk about obese Americans and their need to lose weight, some people with disabilities require an increased caloric intake to stay healthy. This can be the case for persons with athetoid cerebral palsy whose uncontrolled and involuntary movements can lead to greater energy expenditure, and individuals with cystic fibrosis, whose problems with lung function and digesting food may require a greater nutrient intake to maintain weight.

Suggestions that might assist in meeting one's caloric intake include:

• Eat small meals and snacks frequently during the day.
• Add powdered milk, margarine, and butter to recipes.
• Add cheese, eggs, and vegetable oil to prepared dishes.

Snack Ideas (60-120 calories):

1 slice of whole grain bread = 120 calories
5 saltine crackers = 60 calories
4 Ritz crackers = 60 calories
1 small apple = 60 calories
4 ounces of fruit juice = 60 calories
1 medium banana = 90 calories
16 baby carrots = 60 calories
20 small cherry tomatoes = 60 calories
1 hard-boiled egg = 90 calories
1 slice American cheese = 90 calories

Persons with cerebral palsy also may need foods pureed and thickened to assist with oral motor feeding difficulties. Common food thickeners that may be used to change food texture and provide additional calories include: yogurt and pudding to thicken milk, applesauce and pureed fruits to thicken fruit juices, pureed vegetables to thicken soup broths, and plain gelatin to thicken any liquid.

Please send your comments and feedback to Valerie Lawson at vlawson@uic.edu.

This fact sheet was last updated on 07-21-2006.