Nutrition

Just like everyone, people with CF need good nutrition. CF patients with the pancreatic insufficiency component require a higher caloric intake than someone of comparable size. Their nutrition needs include more fat and protein, to compensate for the poor absorption, extra salt, and plenty of fruits, veggies, and complex carbohydrates. Elena eats about a pound of pasta per day as a snack. Sometimes she smothers it in Parmesan cheese and butter, as well as sauce. She like to snack on fruits. With enzymes, she has been able to keep her weight at a good level. Ideally, their height to weight ratio should be at least fifty percent or above.

Imagine how funny it is to see two older, slightly overweight adults, examining labels at the grocery store saying, "This one isn't fattening enough. Oh here's one! This one has twice as many calories!" When Elena was first diagnosed, this was exactly what we would do. I remember catching another couple, out of the corner of my eye, laughing at us. They probably thought we were out of our minds! It can be a challenge to get enough calories into a person with CF. We hoped to make every bite as calorie dense as possible!

Sometimes, people with CF need a feeding tube to help them get enough calories. Whenever they mentioned this at the clinic, we would go home and make high calorie shakes and give her more snacks, in order to avoid a feeding tube. So far, she's never needed one.

Nutritious Food