Fig. 1

Practical approach to provide proteins and calories during the phases of critical illness and convalescence. g/kg/day grams of proteins per kilogram per day, kcal/day total kilocalories per day, BIA bioelectrical impedance analysis, DEXA dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, CT computed tomography scanning. During the first 3 days, calories and proteins are gradually progressed to target 1 on day 4 in steps of 25% daily increase. Target 1 is 1.3 g/kg/day for proteins and for calories 70% of calculated targets or 100% of target when measured by indirect calorimetry. Target 2 should be met during chronic critical illness and after ICU discharge on general wards. For target 2, calories are increased to 125% of predictive equations or indirect calorimetry or 30 kcal/kg/day and for proteins 1.5–2.0 g/kg/day should be targeted. After hospital discharge, target 3 recommends a higher caloric target (150% of predictive equations or 35 kcal/kg/day) and a higher protein intake of 2.0–2.5 g/kg/day