Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder that causes the red blood cells to become hard and pointed, leading to pain. The odd-shaped red blood cells can block small blood vessels, cutting off the oxygen supply and causing severe damage to the tissue. There is no cure for sickle cell anemia, but treatment involves antibiotics to prevent infection and blood transfusions when necessary. Eating a healthy balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables can help teens with sickle cell anemia keep their immune systems healthy to fight off infections.
Diet Basics
Teens with sickle cell anemia need to eat a variety of foods from each food group to make sure they meet all of their nutrient needs to support growth and development. How much to eat depends on your teen's calorie needs. Talk to your doctor about how many calories your teen needs to eat each day. The average teen with sickle cell anemia has an overall poor intake and would benefit from eating a high-calorie, nutrient-rich diet to promote weight gain and growth, according to the website NutritionMD. Most teens need between 2,000 and 2,800 calories a day, according to MyPyramid.gov. Your teen with sickle cell anemia may benefit from eating the higher calorie recommendations.
Grains
Grains are your teen's primary source of calories. Encourage your teen to make at least half her grain servings whole grain to increase fiber, magnesium and selenium intake. Blood magnesium levels can be low in teens with sickle cell anemia, according to NutritionMD. Your teen may need as much as 10 servings of grains a day to meet her elevated calorie needs. Healthy choices and serving sizes include 1/2 cup of hot cooked oatmeal, 1 cup of ready-to-eat whole grain cereal, 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice or barley, 1/2 cup of cooked pasta, one slice of whole wheat bread, five whole wheat crackers and 3 cups of popcorn.
Fruits and Vegetables
Teens with sickle cell anemia need to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day, according to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium and fiber. Teens with sickle cell anemia often have low blood levels of vitamin A and vitamin C, according to NutritionMD. Both these vitamins are essential for growth and development, and also protect cells from oxidation. Healthy choices include apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, berries, melons, spinach, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, cucumbers, peppers, onions, mushrooms, leafy greens and squash.
Meat and Beans
Meat and beans provide protein, iron and zinc. Adequate intakes of protein are necessary for growth and development. Talk to your doctor about how much protein your teen with sickle cell anemia needs to eat each day. Teens following a 2,800-calorie diet need 7 oz. of meat or beans a day, according to MyPyramid.gov, but your teen may need to eat more. Good choices include eggs, poultry, beef, lamb, fish, pork, veal, kidney beans, chickpeas, black eyed peas, lentils and green peas. A 1/4 cup serving of cooked beans or peas is equal to 1 oz. of meat.
Dairy
Dairy foods provide calcium and vitamin D. It also acts as another source of protein. Adequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D can help promote bone growth and health. Encourage your teen to aim for three servings of dairy foods a day. Healthy choices and serving sizes include 1 cup of milk -- nonfat, low-fat or whole milk -- 1 cup of yogurt, 1 1/2 oz. of natural cheese and 2 oz. of processed cheese.
Fats
Fats are another source of energy for your teen and also help with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins. Fats are a concentrated source of calories and can help boost your teen meet his calorie needs without making him feel too full. Each serving of fat contains 45 calories. You should aim for at least eight servings a day on a 2,800-calorie diet. Choices and serving sizes include 1 tsp. of butter, margarine or oil, 1 tbsp. of salad dressing, 1 tsp. of mayonnaise, 1 1/2 tsp. of peanut butter and 1/3 oz. of nuts.
References
- University of Iowa Children's Hospital: Sickle Cell Anemia: Health Topics
- MyPyramid.gov: Food Intake Patterns
- MyPyramid.gov: Inside the Pyramid
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: We Can; Estimated Calorie Requirements
- NutritionMD: Sickle Cell Disease: Nutrition Considerations
- PubMed.gov: Nutrition and Sickle Cell Disease
