Diet Reflection: Cystic Fibrosis Diet

Cystic Fibrosis Diet Reflection

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease which weakens the lung. It is characterised by the development of thick mucus that blocks the lungs, intestines and other ducts or passageways which can cause breathing problems and infections. This mucus also prevents the intestines from properly digesting and absorbing nutrients, such as fat, protein, fat-soluble vitamins and certain minerals, from food which increases the frequency and severity of illnesses and infections, especially of the lungs. As a result, individuals with CF need to eat a diet that is high in calories, fat, protein and fat-soluble vitamin to compensate for this digestion issue. Additionally, extra calories and nutrients are needed to fight infections and keep the

Due to the issues surrounding the digestion of these vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins should be eaten in greater amounts. Ranch dressing is calorie-dense and is also high in fat.

Reflection

In the past, I have had to abide by a similar diet to increase my weight to a healthy level. Although it sounds easy, eating such large quantities of high-calorie and high-fat foods is extremely stressful. I was under constant pressure to consume more calories and had to plan out every single calorie I was going to eat well in advance. I quickly stopped enjoying food altogether and began viewing planning meals and eating as no more than two stressful chores. While people were jealous that my health depended on eating large amounts of high-calorie foods, all I wished for was the ability to skip a meal.

I have been on extremely restrictive diets where I ate less than 500 calories a day or where I would only eat vegetables. However, my high-calorie diet was by far the hardest and most stressful to abide by. Fortunately, I only had to follow it for a few months. However, a cystic fibrosis sufferer would have to follow this diet for their entire