What is the role of dairy for weight maintenance or gain?

Individuals with increased calorie requirements such as high performance athletes or some hospitalised patients often need to increase food intake to promote weight maintenance or gain. Such individuals require specialised dietary advice from a qualified expert, such as a registered dietitian. Increasing calorie intake in these individuals can be challenging as increased requirements are not always accompanied by an increase in appetite.

In fact, intense exercise or illness can often supress appetite. For this reason, it can be helpful to include foods that are calorie and nutrient rich. Dairy products span a wide and varied range of calorie options, from skimmed milk to butter. Adding milk powder to porridge; cream to soups, sauces or puddings; butter to mashed potatoes; or grated cheese to pasta are all palatable ways to increase the energy (kcal) value of foods. Similar ideas can be useful for elderly people with a poor appetite.