Meeting energy needs during treatment is important and can also be difficult. Side effects from treatment may make it hard to tolerate certain foods.

Children with cancer often have poor appetites due to:

• The hospital environment
• Treatment side effects
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Taste changes making food taste differently and less appealing
  • Feeling full quickly
  • Diarrhea
• Depression 

If eating is very difficult, your child’s care team and registered dietitian will help you. The dietitian will talk with you about ways to help your child get the nutrition they need. Your child may need special feeding support, such as high calorie drinks and food, feeding tubes or IV nutrition.

 

Cancer treatment can be difficult for anyone of any age. Support from registered dietitians can make getting the right nutrition less difficult.

Every child is unique in their response to treatment. Your child may need nutrition help if they are:

• Losing weight or not gaining weight as expected
• Eating much less than usual
• Feeling too tired or weak to play, go to school or do normal activities
• Having trouble with side effects like nausea, mouth sores or taste changes
• Using a feeding tube or IV nutrition

If you notice any of these signs, tell your care team. A registered dietitian will help you find foods and a nutrition plan that work for you and your child.

 

Our registered dietitian team works with your child’s cancer care team to:

• Tailor diet and nutrition: Our eating plans support growth, healing and energy levels. These may include high-protein, high-calorie foods or special formulas.
• Manage side effects: If your child has trouble eating due to nausea, mouth sores or taste we can help.
• Feeding support: Some children may need nutrition through a feeding tube or IV (TPN) if eating by mouth isn’t enough.
• Inpatient care: Dietitians are available on every hospital unit. They provide regular screenings and adjust care plans to help your child recover faster and avoid complications.
• Outpatient visits: If your child sees a cancer expert in the clinic, they may also meet with a dietitian to continue support at home.
• Integrative nutrition services: We work alongside the Integrative Medicine Program. They also offer acupressure and other supportive therapies.