Nutrition for Children with Cancer

Nutrition is an important part of the health of all children, but it is especially important for children getting cancer treatment. This guide can help you learn about your child's nutritional needs and how cancer and its treatment may affect them. We also offer suggestions and recipes to help you ensure your child is getting the nutrition he or she needs. Click on the topics below to get started.

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• Why good nutrition is important
• Benefits of good nutrition
• What children with cancer need: Nutrients
• How your child can take in nutrients
• When your child is taking steroids
• Cancer treatment side effects and what you can do about them
• Appetite changes
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Mouth pain, throat pain, or mouth sores
• Trouble swallowing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth or thick saliva
• Unwanted weight gain
• Fatigue
• Low white blood cell counts
• Ways to help your child take in more protein and calories
• Recipes to try
• Choose My Plate for children
• To learn more
• References