- What to eat
- What to avoid
- Supplements that can be used
- Recommended amount of enzymes
- Cystic Fibrosis Menu
The diet for cystic fibrosis must be rich in calories, proteins and fats, to ensure a good growth and development of the child. In addition, it is also common to use digestive enzyme supplements, which facilitate digestion and spare the pancreas.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that is detected by the heel prick test, the main characteristic of which is the production of thicker mucus by the body's glands, which can obstruct regions such as the lungs and pancreas, causing respiratory and digestive problems.
What to eat
The diet for cystic fibrosis must be rich in calories, proteins and carbohydrates, to favor weight gain. In addition, it must also contain good amounts of anti-inflammatory nutrients, as shown below:
Proteins: meat, chicken, fish, eggs and cheese. These foods must be included in at least 4 meals a day;
- Carbohydrates: brown bread, rice, pasta, oats, English potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca and couscous are examples of pasta that can be used; Meat: prefer white meat and low fat, to facilitate digestion; Fats: coconut oil, olive oil, butter; Oilseeds: chestnuts, peanuts, walnuts and almonds. These foods are sources of good fats and nutrients like zinc, magnesium and B vitamins, which improve immunity; Fruits and vegetables in general, as they are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, isoflavones and other anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, which help in the functioning of the pancreas and lung; Omega-3, which is an anti-inflammatory fat, can be found in foods such as sardines, salmon, tuna, nuts, chia, flaxseed and olive oil.
Children and adults with cystic fibrosis should follow up with the nutritionist to monitor growth and body weight, adjusting the diet according to the results achieved.
What to avoid
Foods to avoid in cystic fibrosis are those that irritate the intestine and increase inflammation in the body, such as:
- Processed meats, such as sausage, sausage, ham, bologna, salami, turkey breast; White flour: cookies, cakes, snacks, white breads, pasta; Sugar and sweets in general; Fried foods and vegetable oils, such as soybean, corn and canola oil; Frozen ready food, such as lasagna, pizzas, hiding places; Sugary drinks: soft drinks, industrialized juices, shakes; Alcoholic beverages.
Increased inflammation in the body and the intestine damages the immune system and favors respiratory infections, which is one of the most common problems in cystic fibrosis.
Supplements that can be used
As poor digestion and malabsorption of nutrients is common in cystic fibrosis, due to malfunctioning of the pancreas, it may often be necessary to use supplements with digestive enzymes, known as lipases, which must be adjusted according to age and age. volume of the meal consumed. Enzymes will help digest food and allow better absorption, bringing more calories and nutrients to the body.
However, the use of digestive enzymes does not guarantee the total absorption of food, and it may also be necessary to use supplements rich in carbohydrates or protein powders, which can be added in juices, vitamins, porridges and homemade recipes for cakes and pies. To reduce inflammation, the use of omega-3 in capsules can also be very useful.
In addition, it may also be necessary to use supplements of fat-soluble vitamins, which are vitamins A, E, D and K, which should be taken according to the advice of the doctor or nutritionist.
Recommended amount of enzymes
The recommended amount of enzymes varies according to the patient's age and weight and the size of the meal to be consumed. According to Ordinance SAS / MS No. 224, 2010, 500 to 1, 000U lipase / kg per main meal is recommended, and the dose may be increased if the patient continues to show signs of fat in the stool. On the other hand, doses smaller than 500U should be administered in snacks, which are smaller meals.
The maximum daily dose should not exceed 2, 500 U / kg / meal or 10, 000 U / kg / day of lipase, and its ingestion should be made just before the start of the meal. In addition, it is important to remember that some foods do not require the use of enzymes when consumed alone, such as honey, jellies, fruits, fruit juices and vegetables, except avocado, coconut, potatoes, beans and peas. See how to recognize changes in poop.
Cystic Fibrosis Menu
The following table shows an example of a 3-day menu to help treat cystic fibrosis:
| Meal | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| Breakfast | 1 glass of whole milk with 1 col of shallow cocoa soup + 2 slices of whole grain bread with 1 slices of cheese | 1 cup of avocado smoothie with honey + 2 slices of toasted bread with butter | 1 natural yogurt with honey and granola + 1 tapioca with 2 fried eggs |
| Morning snack | mix of apricots and prunes + 10 cashew nuts | 1 mashed banana with 1 col of oats + 1 col of peanut butter soup | 1 apple + 3 squares of dark chocolate |
| Lunch dinner | garlic and oil pasta + 3 meatballs in tomato sauce + raw salad with olive oil | 5 col of rice soup + 3 col of beans + beef stroganoff + salad sauteed in olive oil | mashed potatoes + steamed salad + chicken with cheese sauce |
| Afternoon snack | 1 cup of coffee with milk + 1 tapioca with coconut | 1 natural yogurt smoothed with banana and honey + 10 cashew nuts | 1 glass of juice + egg and cheese sandwich |
In cystic fibrosis, medical and nutritional monitoring is essential to monitor the child's growth and to properly prescribe the amount and types of supplements and remedies. See more about the main ways of treating cystic fibrosis.
