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Abbott Nutrition Careline 1800-88-6233 Mondays-Fridays 9am-6pm 
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It is normal to have a reduced appetite following surgery or during an illness, but it is also the most important time for your body to get the nourishment it needs to regain strength and recover.
Nourishing the body renews the energy and enables feelings of improved health. A well nourished body supports a well nourished immune system and helps in the healing process. Plus, it feels good to do something good for ourselves. Healthy nutrition is a powerful choice we can make to make ourselves feel better.
Adding Ensure® to the recipes you enjoy helps pack nutrients into your diet when you need them most. Sometimes you can stimulate your appetite by eating foods that you enjoy and that are relatively easy to digest like soups, crackers, juice, yogurt, steamed vegetables, fish, and fresh fruit.
When we do not eat, we lack energy and feel sick.
Illness and injury take a nutritional toll on the body. When you are recovering, you need extra protein, calories, and other nutrients.
People who are well nourished are likely to recover from illness, injury, and surgery better and more quickly than those who are poorly nourished. Medical research has shown time and again: People who are not well nourished take longer to recover, are more likely to have complications, and are more likely to be re-hospitalized.
Protein is especially important for healing. The body uses the amino acids in protein to build and repair your cells and tissues. When you are not well nourished you may not have the nutritional resources — especially the protein — your body needs to do the "extra" work of healing. Getting the right amount of calories, vitamins, and minerals are also necessary to support healing.
All Ensure® products contain high quality protein balanced with other macronutrients and essential vitamins and minerals.
When You Need to Be Sure
Despite your best nutritional efforts, you may still find it difficult to take in all the calories, protein, and other nutrients your body needs during treatment and recovery. Ensure® oral nutritional supplements provide a fast and easy way to give your body the essential nutrients it needs to heal.
How to Use Ensure® Oral Nutritional Supplements
Add Ensure® to your day by:
- Enjoying it as a between-meal and bedtime snack
- Using it to supplement your regular diet, or as a meal replacement
- Adding it to your favorite recipes
If you have any questions about adding oral nutritional supplements to your dietary plan, talk with your doctor or dietitian.
4 More Tips for a Protein-Packed Day
How to get more protein and extra calories in about the same amount of food you've been eating:
- Add nonfat dry milk or powdered protein supplements to regular whole milk. You can also add them to sauces and gravies or use them for breading meat, fish, or poultry. Cook cereals with milk instead of water. Use milk, half-and-half, and evaporated milk when making instant cocoa, canned soups, mashed potatoes, and puddings. Add extra ice cream to milkshakes. One cup of milk contains about 8 grams of protein.
- Add small pieces of meat, fish, or poultry to soups and to vegetable, noodle, and rice casseroles. A 3-ounce portion of meat, fish, or poultry contains approximately 21 grams of protein.
- Add grated cheese to cream sauces, casseroles, or vegetables. Melt sliced cheese over hot apple pie. Combine cottage cheese and cream cheese with fruit. Use cream cheese and margarine on hot bread or rolls. A 1-ounce slice of American cheese contains about 5 grams of protein. One-half cup of cottage cheese has approximately 12 grams of protein.
- Blend finely chopped hard-boiled eggs into sauces, gravies, chopped meats, or salad dressings, or sprinkle over salads. One very large egg contains about 6 grams of protein.
Ask Your Doctor or Dietitian
Your doctor or dietitian probably will give you specific instructions on what and how to eat during your illness or after your surgery. The diet your health care team prescribes for you will depend, in part, on your condition and the nature of the condition.