High Calorie Diet

[anonymous]

When our newborn was diagnosed with CF we were told to put her on a high fat diet. She now 4 yrs old we now realize that she does not do well on a high fat diet. I would love information on how to get her to gain weight without a lot of extra fat. I have been researching high calorie diets and hope to start her on that soon and see what happens.
Has anyone else tried a high calorie diet? Has it worked for you or your child? Are there any foods you recommend. Just as an example I discovered that a banana has 200 calories where an unpeeled apple only has 53 calories.
I realize that she will always be smaller than other kids her age and I do not obsese with the weight gain issue. I am just looking for a healthier way to get the weight gain we are told she needs.

Thanks,
Heather

 

[anonymous]

Some of the things we do to add calories:

Pediasure
Carnation Instant Breakfast added to whole milk and the Pediasure
"Super" Milk = 1/2 cup whole milk + 1/2 cup Half & Half + Carnation Instant Breakfast
Butter, Cheese, and Peanut Butter are good things to add to all kinds of food
Milkshakes and ice cream w/whipped topping

Hope some of these ideas help.

Dina - mother of 3yr old son w/CF

 

[anonymous]

Unfortunately, I don't think that CF kids gain gain adequate weight w/o a high fat diet. Maybe try a different kind of fat. If you are using a lot of butter, try switching to canola or olive oil. You can always boost calories by adding Carnation Instant breakfast/Scandi-shake or Scandical to milk/drinks. We add heavy whipping cream to baby bananas and yogurt. My four year old loves this snack. He also likes ice cream. High calorie smoothies can be made in a blender. Some high fat/calorie ingredients are whipping cream, ice cream, and peanut butter. We recently atttended a CF parents' night out that addressed the importance of high fat AND high calories for our CF kids. They need 150% to 200% more fat and calories than kids w/o CF. Maybe talk to your pulm. about getting her enzymes increased. When my son has a lot of fat, he needs more enzymes or his stools are very loose/greasy. Good luck!