|
Children with cancer often take steroids, such as prednisone
or dexamethasone, as part of their treatment. Children taking steroids
usually feel hungry all the time and may gain weight. Steroids also
tend to make people retain fluid.
You can help your child make some diet changes to prevent
fluid retention and limit the weight gain. Your doctor, nurses, or
dietitian can help you know what to do. They may suggest foods low in
salt (sodium). Options to salty foods include foods highly seasoned
using other spices. High-sodium foods, such as most snack chips and
pretzels, processed foods, or frozen meals should be avoided. (Those
labeled "reduced sodium" are OK.) Also be aware of extra calories your
child may not need at this time, like those in sodas and juices.
Your health care team may also give you tips on planning meals
and snacks that are satisfying, but not high in calories, to keep your
child at a healthy weight. Offer your child fresh, nutritious, filling
foods, such as fruits and vegetables, homemade soups, non-processed
meats, dairy products, breads, and pastas. Your child does not have to
feel deprived of their favorite foods, but some changes in the recipe
might be wise. Consider thin crust pizza with low sodium cheese for the
pizza lover, and baked chicken tenderloin strips and baked potato fries
for the chicken nugget and french fry lover. No food is especially bad,
but how it is prepared or the portion size can be unhealthy.
The appetite changes and fluid retention caused by steroids
are short-term and will go away when treatment ends. Still, preventing
excess weight gain during steroid treatment is important to prevent
stretch marks around the belly (abdomen) and upper legs, and also
prevent high blood pressure.
When steroid treatment ends many children will lose their
appetite for a short time. The weight loss that may come with this is
expected and will be closely watched. But other children, especially
teens, may have a hard time losing the weight gained during treatment.
Last Medical Review: 02/06/2009
Last Revised: 02/06/2009
|
