At Riley: Calories Count!

Print this Page

Monitor for Malabsorption: You have to do more than just eat to make every calorie count! It is important to check the stools of individuals with CF to see if their body is getting the nutrition needed from foods. An increase in the number or size of stools, a change in stool odor, or greasy light colored stools may mean the body is not getting the vitamins, minerals, and calories needed from food. Frequent stomach trouble such as bloating, gas, or stomach pain that will not go away may also indicate the body is not getting the most it can from the food it receives. Report any of these problems to the CF center staff.

Take Digestive Enzymes: Digestive enzymes are needed to break food down into tiny little pieces so that vitamins, minerals, and calories may be used by the body. ALWAYS take enzymes with every meal and every snack to make every calorie count. Sometimes enzymes need to be increased when a large meal is eaten, or when the meal is especially high in fat. Enzymes help make every calorie count, but they need your help too. Here is what to do:

Take the dose prescribed by the CF Center; do not increase dosage without speaking to the CF Care Team first.
Take just before each meal and snack
Do not crush or chew
Keep enzymes at room temperature- store away from heat
One or two non-oily, well formed stools per day, no stomach trouble and adequate weight gain suggests that the dose of enzymes is appropriate

High Calorie Foods

Breaded Foods

Pudding

Dried fruit

Milk Shakes/ Ice cream

Fried foods

Bacon/Sausage

Pizza

Nuts

Add Calories to Food

Gravy

Whole milk

Cream

Chocolate syrup

Margarine/ Butter

Cheese

Mayonnaise

Peanut Butter

Eat a High Calorie Diet: In addition to taking enzymes with meals and snacks it is important for individuals with CF to eat a high calorie diet. A high calorie diet includes high calorie foods, and foods with calories added to them. Remember that people with CF can only eat so much, so it is important to serve foods packed with calories. Here are some foods that can help boost calories.

Make a plan to gain weight between now and the next appointment at the CF center! Contact the center for help if the patient has a weight loss.

[Keyword: Cystic Fibrosis]

US News - America's Best Children's Hospitals 2008

Web Design: NetMediaOne