Nutrition Tips for People with Huntington's Disease

Sometimes, it’s difficult for someone with HD to maintain or gain weight, especially if swallowing becomes a challenge. Smoothies like these are a great way to add calories and protein into your diet. You can try the recipes below, or use our easy recipe builder to design your own. Just throw the ingredients together and blend!

The Basic (500 calories, 16 grams protein)
1 bottle Ensure/Boost Plus
½ c. premium ice cream

Nutter Butter Shake (500 calories, 23 grams protein)
½ c. milk of choice
¼ block silken tofu
1 banana
2Tbsp peanut butter
¼ c. uncooked oats

Mango-cado Smoothie (350 calories, 13 grams protein)
½ Avocado
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp ginger
1 c. mango
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
1 c. ice
1 Tbsp chia seeds
2 Tbsp protein powder

Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie (400-680 calories, 9-18 g protein)
2 whole bananas (frozen)
1 Tbsp peanut butter
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1/2 c. milk or chocolate Ensure/Boost Plus
1 tsp cinnamon

Peach Ginger Turmeric Smoothie (220-480 calories, 4-17 g protein) 
1 c. coconut water, choice of milk, or vanilla Ensure/Boost Plus
1 – 2 peaches (fresh or frozen)
1/2 banana (fresh or frozen)
1/2 in piece of fresh turmeric*
1/2 in piece of fresh ginger
1 handful of ice

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie (560 calories, 11 g protein)
1 c. whole milk
2 scoops chocolate ice cream
1 Tbsp chocolate whey powder
2 Tbsp Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 handful ice

Cherry Almond Shake (625 Calories, 35 g protein)
1 c. whole milk
1/3 c. tart cherry juice
½ c. vanilla ice cream
2 Tbsp almond butter
1 Tbsp vanilla protein powder
½ tsp almond extract
1 handful ice

Cappuccino Shake (640 Calories, 36 g protein)
1 package chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast Mix
1 Tbsp instant coffee
1 c. whole milk
2 scoops coffee ice cream
1 scoop chocolate whey powder
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 handful ice

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (315 calories, 20 g protein) 
1 banana
½ c. canned pumpkin puree
½ c. vanilla Greek yogurt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. whole milk
A dash of ginger
1 Tbsp maple syrup

Recipe Builder

Select 1 liquid + 1 protein+ 1-2 fruits + extras (optional), then blend!

Liquids (½ c. – 1 c.)	Protein (½ – ¾ c.)	Fruit* (¼ c. – ½ c.)	Extra Calories	Extra Flavors/Nutrients
Whole milk Coconut milk Almond milk Soy milk Flax milk Hemp milk Ensure Plus Boost Plus Muscle Milk Glucerna Boost Compact Ensure Active Heavy cream Orgain Coconut water Juice (i.e. peach, cranberry, apple, orange, pineapple, pomegranate)	1 scoop whey or plant-based protein powder Whole milk yogurt Greek yogurt Mascarpone cheese Soft/silken tofu Cottage Cheese Nut butter (such as peanut butter, almond butter) Powdered milk	Banana Watermelon Strawberries Raspberries Blueberries Peaches Cherries Mango Pineapple	½ avocado 1-2 scoops ice cream 2 Tbsp peanut butter 2 Tbsp almond butter 2 Tbsp heavy cream 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp Nutella 1 Tbsp flax seed oil 1 Tbsp canola oil 1 Tbsp coconut oil Sorbet Benecalorie	1 Tbsp ground flax seeds 1 Tbsp chia seeds 2 Tbsp shredded coconut 1tsp honey 1 Tbsp maple syrup ¼ c. uncooked oats Grated ginger Grated turmeric Cinnamon Mint 1 handful spinach/kale