Feeding children with cancers

Cancer is unfortunately not only a disease of adults, it also affects children.

One side effect of the progression and management of the disease is the increased risk for malnutrition. Because children are in their growth and development phase, malnutrition can affect them adversely. However, with early detection of some cancers and the advancement of treatment, many children survive cancers and so life after cancer should be considered.

The treatment phase for cancers can be very long, and the treatment modalities can directly or indirectly cause reduced food intake. Since reduced calories and nutrients will not just cause temporary fat and muscle loss but disruption in growth and development, measures to ensure continued caloric and nutrient intake are critical.

These are some tips parents and caregivers can use to assist them in getting children to maintain eating and nutritional status. Depending on the site and treatment modality, some side effects may be greater than others.

Reduced appetite

Do not force your child to eat, this may make the appetite worst.

Try smaller more calorie- and nutrient-dense meals and snacks.

Always have a nutrient-dense meal or snack available so that a desire to eat can be addressed quickly.

Instead of structured meal times, feed more frequently, even in very small amounts.

Make meal time happy and the surroundings pleasant.

Sore mouth

Avoid rough, spicy and extreme-temperature foods that will cause mouth irritation.

Serve soft foods, but not of a consistency that will stick to the roof of the mouth.

Clean mouth by rinsing immediately after eating to reduce the growth of bacteria that can worsen mouth sores.

Taste alteration

Use plastic utensils, as metal can often have an 'off' taste.

Serve food that looks and tastes good.

Experiment with different flavours the child will like.

Nausea and vomiting

Avoid strong flavoured, greasy and very sweet foods.

Offer sips of fluid such as clear soups, juices and other beverages throughout the day.

Offer small, frequent meals.

Diarrhoea

Avoid high-fibre foods such as nuts, peas and beans, raw fruits and vegetables until diarrhoea is resolved.

Constipation

Include high-fibre foods such as raw fruits and vegetables.

Consume dried fruit such as prunes.

Dry mouth

Offer foods high in liquid such as fruits and soups.

Offer frequent sips of liquid throughout the day.

Offer hard candies and frozen treats such as juice bars and pops.

Try sour and sweet foods to encourage saliva flow.

Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.