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HIGH CALORIE MEAL PLAN

When you are HIV positive, it is important to eat enough calories because HIV infection increases your body's energy needs. A calorie is a way of measuring the energy that food supplies. It is good to eat a lot of high energy food called complex carbohydrates or starches that include whole grain breads and cereals, pasta, potatoes and rice. Fruits, vegetables and simple sugars also give your body quick energy. Fats provide many calories, but they are not a good source of energy for your muscles. Fats give you extra energy to burn and build body fat. If you do not eat enough calories from carbohydrates, your body will break down your muscles for energy. You may not have an appetite when you are sick and notice that you are gradually losing weight. It is important to try to eat small amounts throughout the day, even if you are not hungry.

To increase your calorie intake:

• Eat six small meals throughout the day.
• Keep snacks near your bed or by the television.
• Pack non-perishable food to snack on when you are away from home.
• Engage in light exercise before you eat to build up an appetite.
• Complex starches or carbohydrates are the best type of energy to build and maintain your muscle tissue.

Eat generous portions of:

• Pasta (whole wheat or enriched macaroni, spaghetti or noodles) Rice (brown and white), barley, millet, tabouli and couscous Oatmeal, cream of wheat, farina, rice cereal, corn meal, grits and cold cereals Breads, tortillas, muffins, biscuits, crackers, dumplings, pancakes and waffles Potatoes, yams, plantain, yuca, breadfruit, corn, green peas and lima beans Cooked kidney beans, navy beans, lentils, black-eyed peas, pigeon peas and chickpeas.
• Simple sugars give you extra energy to gain muscle and fat weight. For extra energy: Snack on fresh fruit or dried fruit (raisins, dates, apricots, pineapple, papaya and prunes).
• Add jelly, jam, honey and maple syrup to hot and cold cereal, pancakes and waffles.
• Add honey, sugar, molasses or syrup to milkshakes, hot or cold tea, Kool-Aid and lemonade.
• Top ice cream, frozen or regular yogurt with fresh or dried fruit and syrup.
• Snack on cakes, pies, cookies and candy between meals.
• Fats give you extra energy to burn and to gain body fat. Eat moderate amounts.
• Add butter, margarine, sour cream, cream cheese or peanut butter to sandwiches, crackers, pancakes, waffles and hot cereal. Add gravy to meat, chicken, turkey, mashed and baked potatoes.
• Add sour cream, cream cheese, grated cheese, butter or margarine to mashed or baked potatoes.
• Top salads with avocado, olives and extra salad dressing. If you are not lactose intolerant, add condensed milk, evaporated milk, whole milk or cream to granola, hot and old cereals.