Nutrition

• nausea and vomiting from the effects of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy
• anorexia and altered taste perception from the effects of chemotherapyand other drugs
• mucositis from the effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, infection such as candida & HSV
• abdominal surgery and/or radiotherapy
• gastrointestinal infection such as typhlitis, clostridium difficile
• psychological causes causing anorexia (depression, manipulation)

• Try to keep your normal meal and snack routines. This can be hard in the hospital setting and when your child is first diagnosed. Children feel more secure when routines are maintained.
• Avoid pressuring a child to eat or drink. Maybe there are good reasons your child is struggling at the time. Discuss it with your oncologist, nurse or dietitian.
• Offer foods at regular intervals and let the child choose what and how much they want. Remember it is the parents or caregivers role to offer healthy foods and not to make the child eat.
• Offer two or three choices only. Small children, especially, are overwhelmed when they have too many choices. Avoid becoming a short-order cook. Even a small child can quickly learn to manipulate parents or caregivers.
• Offer healthy foods as much as possible and set a good example for your growing child to follow.
• If meal times are becoming tense, speak with your oncologist, nurse or dietitian. Sometimes it is not possible for your child to eat or drink well. Children can experience a sense of failure when they are unable to eat or drink well. Major stress around meals can carry over after all treatment has been completed.
• Offer small, frequent meals and snacks in a relaxed manner. Remember that a child may only be able to manage one or two bites at a time. When their eating is poor, make each bite count. For more information and suggestions, please refer to the section titled "Effects on the Digestive Tract" of the Parent Handbook, Chapter 5 (PDF)
• Try not to treat your child differently from their brothers and sisters. Even a sick child will recognize the differences when there is favoritism. This can cause stress around mealtimes for all children. Discipline all of your children in the same way.
• Discuss your concerns with your oncologist, nurse or dietitian early. They are there to support you through your child’s treatment.

Nutritional Support in the Pediatric Oncology Patient
Nutrition and Radiation
High Calorie Beverages
Special Products Distribution Center (SPDC)

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