NANP Board Domain I – Food and Nutrition Practice Exam

In this scenario, the idea is to give the body a gentle nudge to support healing without overloading the digestive system. For someone with mild digestive problems, adding a small amount of extra protein in the first 1–2 months helps preserve lean body mass, supports immune function, and aids tissue repair when appetite or intake may be reduced. The key is to increase protein just a little above the person’s usual intake and then monitor tolerance. If it’s well tolerated, you can continue to adjust gradually; if symptoms like bloating, gas, or discomfort occur, scale back and reassess. Too little protein risks catabolism and slower recovery, while a large jump can worsen digestion, so the recommended approach is a careful, incremental increase.