Children affected by cystic fibrosis suffer from malnutrition due to the frequent bouts of infection and a lack of appetite. This could affect their growth and development as they are not getting enough calories and nutrition through their diet. Their bodies become unable to absorb the required fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals from the regular diet, so a high-calorie diet with vitamin and sodium supplements has to be followed.

Children with cystic fibrosis need to eat at least 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks a day. It may be difficult to make children eat healthy food if it is bland, but interesting snacks and dishes can be prepared to include foods to help manage cystic fibrosis in their diet. To add extra calories to their diet, the meals and snacks have to be supplemented with calorie-rich creams, butter, oils, and dairy products. Foods that can be consumed to help manage cystic fibrosis include eggs, meat, fish, cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, nuts, and seeds. The fluid intake should also be monitored and maintained with energy drinks if necessary. This article lists out some foods to add to children’s diets to help them fight this illness effectively.

To add extra calories

• Add butter, oil, or margarine to bread, toast, crackers, sandwiches, cereals, noodles, and soups.
• Add sour cream to potatoes, pasta, rice, or vegetables, or use it as a dip for veggies or chips
• Add mayonnaise to sandwiches or crackers, meat, fish, egg, or vegetable salads, dips, salad dressing, or sauces
• Use heavy creams in soups, sauces, custards, batters, puddings, shakes, and mashed potatoes
• Add brown sugar or syrup to cereals, fruits, ice creams, or puddings, and it can also be used as a glaze on vegetables or meats
• Use whipping cream on pancakes, waffles, pudding, ice cream, hot chocolate, or other desserts. It can also be mixed in soups, custards, and cereals.
• Add powdered milk to cereals, soups, milkshakes, casseroles, gravies, and puddings.
• Add extra cheese to sandwiches, burgers, toasts, crackers, pizzas, eggs, potatoes, noodles, and other snacks
• Consume high-calorie drinks like nut and fruit smoothies, juices with syrups, commercial milkshake supplements, sweetened yogurt, and drinks with nutrition supplements.

Extra vitamins
Children with cystic fibrosis do not get enough vitamins and minerals as their bodies cannot digest and absorb fats. Vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which are fat-soluble, are insufficient and need to be supplemented. With the advice of a doctor, the type and amount of vitamins can be decided. Iron, calcium, and zinc are needed for growth and development, so foods rich in these minerals should be added to their diet to help manage cystic fibrosis.

Extra salt
Children with cystic fibrosis lose more salt with their sweat and get tired easily, so they should include salty food and snacks like chips, pretzels, French fries, nuts, and pickles. Apart from staying hydrated with water and juices, high energy supplements or drinks are beneficial foods to help manage cystic fibrosis, especially if children are involved in sports and outdoor exercise. These drinks have added salt, sugar, and nutrients that replace the fluid and energy levels in the body.