CF and Nutrition

lightNlife

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<h2>CF and Nutrition; Recommended Reading</h2>

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Knowledge is power. --Sir Francis Bacon<br>
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I was never one to just sit back and accept someone else's
explanation for something. I'm certain that my inquisitive nature
is largely responsible for why I have chosen science as my
profession.<br>
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I believe it is the job of the professionals in the CF clinic to
provide me with the information I need in order to take good care
of myself. I also believe that it is in my best interest to not
just follow blindly without thinking things through. Afterall, the
doctors' field of expertise is limited to what they have already
learned. Ultimately, I am the one who knows my body best and knows
what things work and don't work for me.<br>
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Some people with CF are more prone to lung problems, while others
struggle with intestinal problems. Typically my greater challenges
are in the area of food. I have always struggled to maintain an
acceptable weight and BMI. Even now, I'm a bit underweight.
Prednisone has jump-started my appetite, but I know that the weight
I've gained is not the right kind of weight.<br>
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Several years back there was a cookbook for CFers called "Fat
and Loving It". The cookbook had some decent suggestions for
gaining weight and plenty of tips for packing in the calories, but
I never liked it much. As an adult with CF, I know that being
healthy is not just about acheiving and maintaining a certain
weight. It's about providing my body with quantities and types of
foods it needs to function as well as possible. I'm fortunate that
I have a voracious appetite and don't often have to resort to
dietary supplements just to meet my caloric needs.<br>
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I know not everyone likes to gather as much background information
as I do, but if you're the type of person who wants to know WHY
certain foods are good/bad for your body, I highly recommend you
get a copy of "Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal" which is
put out by Reader's Digest. Hardback and paperback versions are
available. It's a great reference tool and it goes far beyond just
listing foods alphabetically. The extensive index lists a wide
variety of nutrition-related topics, including anecdotal case
studies for certain illnesses that could be aided by diet.<br>
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We all have different needs when it comes to our nutritional
status, but the one thing we have in common is that our bodies need
the proper fuel in order to function. We can't always guarantee
that we won't succumb to certain lung infections or other
illnesses, but if we keep our bodies well-tuned with diet and
exercise, those infections are easier to fight. This isn't to say
that proper diet alone is sufficient for keeping someone with CF
healthy. Along with good nutrition, we need to follow the doctor's
orders, take our meds, do our treatments, and get whatever help we
need to maintain a healthy mental outlook. Living well with CF
doesn't happen by accident. It takes work, but it's worth it.<br>
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