Please Note: For those of you who linked right to this page and are not aware, the Never-Ending Squirrel Tale is a web site for the parents of kids with cancer. They have special dietary needs and this forum is used to exchange ideas from parent to parent on what worked for them. Nutrition-Related Topics: Loss of Appetite Nausea & Vomiting Diarrhea Mouth Sores & Difficulty Swallowing Taste Alterations Dry Mouth Recipes How to Increase Calories Instead of Try skim milk 1 cup=90 calories 2% or whole milk 1 cup=129-157 calories low-fat cheese 1½oz = 80 caloires firm cheeses: brick, cheddar, Swiss, 1½ oz = 167-181 calores low fat plain yogurt 1 cup = 144 calories fruit flavored yogurt 1 cup = 256 calories skinless chicken 3.5 oz = 190 calories fried chicken 3.5 oz = 290 calories lean roast beef 3.5 oz = 231 calories beef pot pie 3.5 oz = 517 calories spaghetti with tomato sauce & cheese 1 cup = 200 calories spaghetti with meat sauce 1 cup = 416 calories fresh fruit or vegetable salad 1 cup = 90 calories macaroni or chicken salad 1 cup = 335 calories fresh fruit (banana, apple, orange) 1 cup = 65 - 100 calories dried fruits (dates, raisins, apricots) 1 cup = 205 -250 calories fresh blueberries 1 cup = 90 calories fresh berries & ice cream 1/2 cup of each = 180 calories tossed lettuce salad, no dressing 1 cup = 10 calories tossed salad with French dressing (1 tablespoon) 75 calories clear soup (consomme, broth) 1 cup = 22 calories cream soup (mushroom, tomato) 1 cup = 140-170 calories plain whole wheat bread 1 slice = 73 calories pancakes, waffles, French toast 210 calories cooked oatmeal 1 cup=140 calories granola 1 cup=288 calories If you have a young child who is still drinking a lot of milk, try adding double cream or evaporated milk to their normal full fat milk. It can increase the amount of calories by a lot without increasing the actual intake. During a talk to children, a pastor was trying to explain the uniqueness of John the Baptist. He asked the children if they knew what kind of foods the rugged John ate? Apparently, the children had not yet learned that John had eaten locusts and wild honey, so the pastor said, "He ate wild honey and bugs. What do you think of that?" "Well," answered a perceptive little girl, "at least he had fiber."

Most children with cancer have a poor appetite at some stage of treatment, and it's no wonder, many things contribute to it: a tumor in or around the digestive tract may cause the child to feel too ill to eat or feel full after just a few bites. certain types of tumors may produce a substance that affects the appetite control portion of the brain. some tumors affect certain minerals which play a role in the sensation of taste. chemotherapy and radiation may also result in a loss of appetite by causing taste alterations, mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and/or constipation. fatigue and pain may also contribute to poor appetite. don't discount the feelings and emotions that accompany a diagnosis of cancer; stress and depression can play a role in lowering appetite. Despite these very good reasons for a poor appetite, you can't just wait for your child's appetite to return. If he or she does not eat enough, body fat will be used for energy resulting in weight loss. Eventually, muscle tissue deteriorates (in the absence of any more body fat to burn). Eventually, the body will release a substance that may cause a further loss of appetite which can start a vicious cycle of appetite loss and further weight loss at a time when you can afford it the least. It's more important than ever to children in cancer treatment to eat--even when they don't want to. Practical tips to get your child to eat: Offer foods during "up" times. Offer smaller meals and more frequent nutritious snacks (up to three snacks per day). If your child is not hungry at supper time, make breakfast, morning snack and lunch the main eating times. Encourage your child to take a walk before eating if possible. Fresh air often helps, as does a little activity. Serve meals in a pleasant atmosphere. Try to avoid serving meals in bed. Vary the color of foods served on the plate and arrange it attractively. Use garnishes such as orange slices and parsley. Use smaller plates and serve seconds. Too much food on the plate at once may be overwhelming. Season foods to suit taste. Lemon juice, fruits, basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, paprika, cinnamon and salt can improve the taste of meat, fish, cheese and egg dishes. Encourage your child to chew slowly and take breaks during meals. Cold foods or high calorie drinks may be more appealing when your child's appetite is poor. Ask the dietitian for suggestions on increasing calories nutritiously. It's important to add protein and calories to food without increasing the amount your child has to eat. Ask the dietitian about supplements such as instant breakfast shakes. To aid in digestion, encourage rest after meals and snacks. Bedtime is a good time for a high-calorie snack since breakfast is at least 8 hours away. Choose drinks high in calories Limit the amount of low-calori foods and fluids that may decreas appetite for other foods (such as diet products and drinks, tea, coffee, broth, etc.) Avoid "empty calorie" foods that contain calories but have littel nutrient value (candy, soda pop, potato chips and chocolate) Here's some ideas--meant for picky eaters in general--that may prove helpful: Helping "Picky Eaters" Eat More Foods Milk Products: high calorie milk, whole milk, low fat (2%) milk, cottage cheese and yogurt puddings, custards and cream soups frozen yogurt or sherbet cheeses egg nog Grains: crackers, toast, bagels, buns with jam or honey and margarine dry cereal or hot cereal rice with soy sauce, pasta with plain sauce cookies - arrowroot, animal crackers, graham wafers plain muffins, fruit muffins noodle soups Meat/Alternatives: poached, hard-boiled or scrambled eggs, shrimp, tuna baked, roasted, barbecued, broiled or steamed meats, fish and chicken dishes with added margarine, gravy or sauces peanut butter nuts and seeds eggs with added fat (such as fried, scrambled, omelettes, egg salad) legumes, lentils, or dried beans in sauces Miscellaneous (in limited amounts): buttered popcorn, pretzels, cakes, egg rolls, trail fruit leather granola bars, crisps, pies Fats and Oils Add generous amounts of margarine, butter, oil, whipping cream, salad dressing, sour cream, gravy, cream cheese, and sauces to foods where possible. Fat is a concentrated source of energy - a small amount has many caloires. To meet their needs for growth, children need more fat than adults. The extra calories your child needs to grow will come from this higher fat diet. Note: See the diarrhea management section for a list of high fat, heavily spiced foods to limit when your child is nauseated.