Frequently Asked Questions

People who have CF need to eat a diet that is higher in calories and salt. Other family members do not need the same number of calories or amount of salt. Instead of adding extra salt to an entire recipe, ask the person who has CF to salt their food when they are served. Keep a salt shaker at their place at the table. Also, add extra butter or margarine to foods when served. Someone who does not have CF does not need the same size portion and should take smaller portions. While whole milk is important in a high-calorie diet, nonfat milk may be best if you do not have CF. Someone who does not have CF may fill their plate with fruits and vegetables, and the person who has CF may take smaller portions of low-calorie fruits and vegetables, and add butter or margarine to hot vegetables.

Eating foods from all of the food groups (dairy, protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fats) will assure that your diet is packed with nutrition. Even so, you may need to take supplemental vitamins and perhaps minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc. Your CF Center dietitian can review your food intake to be sure it contains a variety of foods and nutrients. The Center will also check your blood levels each year to see if you need supplemental vitamins or minerals.

Counting calories or grams of fat can be a big job. If you are gaining weight and growing, there is no need to take it on. If weight gain is a challenge, your CF Center dietitian will work with you on ways to add more calories to what you usually eat without counting calories. Ask your CF Center dietitian to calculate your daily calorie goal.

Some parents like to be given a calorie goal. If you would like a calorie goal, ask your CF Center dietitian to figure out what a good goal would be for your child. A good way to track nutritional intake is by using an online food tracker such as Super Tracker, recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture.

There are so many different foods that you can take with you to school or on outings. Examples are trail mix, granola bars, shakes that are canned or bottled, and peanut butter crackers. Look at "Grab and Go" at the CF Services website for lists of foods that you can take with you anywhere you go.

This is an important question and can be a real challenge, but with some creativity you can do it. Add cheese to vegetables. Dip cooked or raw vegetables into salad dressing or dips. Grate vegetables into spaghetti sauce. Add vegetables to pizza. Spread cream cheese or peanut butter on fresh fruit. Dip fruit into whole-milk yogurt. Make a fruit smoothie with whole-milk and whole milk yogurt. See "Color Your Calories" at the CF Services website for more ideas.