High energy drink recipes

This information has been reviewed by:
Dr Michael Jefford, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Vivian Kong, Accredited Practising Dietitian, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute
Brooke Chapman, Dietitian, APD, Austin Health

Often people with cancer find it hard to meet their nutritional requirements. The following drink recipes can be used as supplements both for and in between mealtimes. They are all very easy to prepare. The recipes can be altered to suit your tastes, the only limitation being your imagination. If you are diabetic, talk to your doctor or dietitian about preparing foods with less sugar.

The drinks can be made up and kept in the fridge throughout the day. You may prefer to pour small amounts into a glass frequently through the day or sit down and have a large glass 2 or 3 times during the day.

Apricot lemon crush

• 425 g can of apricot halves in natural fruit juice
• 1 cup natural yoghurt
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons wheatgerm
• crushed ice

Blend ingredients together.

Banana drink

• 2 cups milk
• 1 banana
• 1 egg
• 3 dessertspoons nutrition formula powder
• 1 dessertspoon skim milk powder
• 1 dessertspoon glucose powder or sugar
• crushed ice

Blend ingredients together.

Avoid using raw eggs in recipes if your immune system is weakened.

Egg flip

• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• vanilla syrup or essence to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
• brandy

Blend ingredients together, strain, sprinkle with nutmeg if desired.

IMPORTANT: Don't use raw eggs in recipes if your immune system is weakened.

Fruit mix

• 1 cup orange juice (or other fruit juice combination)
• 1 banana
• 1 scoop ice cream and/or cream
• 1 dessertspoon glucose powder or sugar
• crushed ice

Blend ingredients together.

Fruit shake

• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cream
• 1 scoop ice cream
• small serve stewed or fresh fruit
• 1 tablespoon skim milk powder
• 1 dessertspoon glucose powder or sugar
• crushed ice

Blend ingredients together.

Fruit smoothie

• 1 cup milk
• 1 banana or equivalent soft fruit
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• 1 tablespoon wheatgerm (if desired)
• 2 scoops ice cream and/or cream
• crushed ice

Blend ingredients together, sprinkle with cinnamon.

High-calorie soup

• 55 ml cream soup
• 55 ml milk
• 1 tablespoon skim milk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon glucose powder or sugar

Mix together thoroughly, then blend and heat slowly.

IMPORTANT: Don't use raw eggs in recipes if your immune system is weakened.

High-energy cordial

• 1 tablespoon cordial
• 1 teaspoon glucose powder or sugar
• 1 cup water
• crushed ice

Mix cordial and glucose powder or sugar until smooth, stir in water.

High energy juice

• 1 cup juice
• 1 dessertspoon glucose powder or sugar

Mix glucose powder or sugar with a little juice until smooth. Stir in remaining juice.

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