Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease of the mucus and sweat glands, according to the National Institutes of Health. This condition leads to breathing problems and repeated lung infections with lung damage; breathing problems may make it difficult to eat. Children with CF can also have issues with digestion – mainly due to the disease’s effect on the pancreas. As a result, these children often have a difficult time consuming enough calories for growth or weight gain. If your child has CF, you have to make adjustments to his diet to ensure that your child gets enough calories and nutrients. You may have to give your child smaller, more frequent meals along with several snacks each day.
Adding Additional Fat to Foods
You may have to increase your child’s caloric intake to ensure appropriate growth. Adding more fat to your child’s meals is a simple way to manage this. You can add butter or margarine to foods such as toast, vegetables and potatoes, as noted by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese and whipping cream can also add calories, according to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital website. Powdered milk added to soups, eggs, puddings and casseroles also can increase the number of calories in your child’s diet. Mid-meal snacks are also important, but should not replace regular meals.
Maintaining a Balanced Diet
Although increasing calorie intake is an important part of the cystic fibrosis diet, you still have to make sure that your child eats other foods for a balanced diet. Protein is important for growth so meats can be an important part of the diet, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. You should not remove the fat from the meat to keep the calorie content high. Fish can be good sources of fatty acids; you should fry the fish in oil to boost the calorie content. Beans and tofu can be used in place of meat for people who do not eat it. Calcium from dairy products is also important to a child with CF; however, you should not use low-fat products – full fat products are more beneficial to these children.
Dietary Supplements
Some children with cystic fibrosis may have poor appetites so your physician may suggest nutritional supplements, according to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital website. High calories drinks such as milkshakes or meal replacement drinks can boost calorie intake. You can also use supplement beverages, which come in several flavors that your child may like. Because these beverages are very filling, you should serve them before bedtime or after meals, as noted by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Tube Feedings
Another dietary option for people with CF is tube feeding. For these children, a physician will insert a tube through the nose down to the stomach; the physician may also surgically place a tube through the abdominal wall into the stomach for feedings. High calorie feedings can be given through these tube and can also been given during the night while the child sleeps, according to Children's Memorial Hospital. Tube feeding should not take the place of regular meals, but can be used as supplemental nutrition.
Vitamin and Enzyme Supplements
Your child may develop some vitamin deficiencies – especially for vitamins A, D and E – and may need vitamin supplements, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Many children with CF also need pancreatic enzyme supplements because of problems with pancreatic function, as noted on the KidsHealth website. These enzymes improve digestion. Because children with CF also lose extra salt when they sweat, they may also need extra salt or salt supplements to avoid dehydration and other problems. You can also give your child more salty snacks and use more salt at the dinner table, as noted on the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital website. Your physician will tell you which of each type of supplements to use.
