Understanding CF Nutrition
The benefits of fat in your loved one’s diet
Because of the way cystic fibrosis (CF) affects the body, people with CF need a diet that’s high in calories and fat. Here are some of the benefits of fat:
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Types of fat
All fats in food are a mix of unsaturated (polyunsaturated or monounsaturated) and saturated fatty acids.
- Unsaturated fats (a.k.a., what you may want your child to have more of) include vegetable oils, avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish such as salmon
- Saturated fats (a.k.a., what you may want your child to have less of) include fatty beef, bacon, and coconut oil
Kid-friendly fats
Have a child or a picky eater? Here are some kid-friendly food suggestions that are easy to grab on the go:
- Whole-milk yogurt
- Whole-milk string cheese
- Peanut butter packets
- Chocolate pudding
- Whole-milk fruit smoothies

Try to get children involved in meal prep. Next time you make their favorite dish, put them in charge of adding 1 or 2 ingredients. This is a great way to keep an eye on their diet while teaching them a valuable skill that will serve them well into adulthood.