Enhance Your Child’s Adherence to Special Diets
A Guide For Parents of Children With Metabolic Disorders
Please click here to download a PDF copy of this guide.
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
By now, you know the importance of helping your child follow medical recommendations, like eating a low-protein, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, or dairy-free diet and taking enough supplements or formula. This guide is here to remind you of ways to help your child stay on track now and in the future. Since sticking to the diet presents different challenges at every stage of life, we hope this guide is helpful for parents of children of all ages.
This guide is for parents of children with any metabolic disorder that requires a restricted diet. Families with the following conditions helped shape it:
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Urea Cycle Disorders
Galactosemia
We hope the information we offer will support you in your efforts to raise a healthy child who sticks to his or her medical recommendations. Our ultimate goals are to help your child:
Establish an identity separate from the condition
Reach full potential and optimal health through proper nutrition
Be happy and socially engaged
Become independent
Sticking to a Special Diet Without Getting Stuck was developed in collaboration with Emerson College’s Health Communication program. Many thanks to the patients, providers, and parents who contributed their insights.
Kayla McGowan, MA, Emerson College
Susan Waisbren, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital, Preceptor
Christine Skubisz, PhD, Emerson College, Graduate Advisor
Freedom Baird, MS, Boston Children’s Hospital, Media Coordinator
Fran Rohr, MS, RD, Boston Children’s Hospital
The Challenges . . .
Sticking to a diet—whether by choice or doctor’s orders—can be hard, especially when going “off diet” may not lead to pain or immediate physical consequences.
Plus, having to keep track of a “special diet” or take “special supplements” can be tough. Children don’t want to be different. From not being able to eat cupcakes at birthday parties or pizza at school, to following a formula schedule, to having to order French fries and a salad instead of a burger while out to eat with friends, kids with metabolic disorders face many challenges that can get in the way of following the diet.
This guide aims to support parents in their mission to raise happy, healthy, independent children who are able to make good choices now and in the future.
Different Diet, Same Needs
Whether your child has to eat low-protein, low-fat, low-carb, or dairy-free food, his or her need for a healthy diet is the same.
Formula, supplements, and other special products help your child make up for the nutrients he or she may be missing out on. This helps them feel better overall.
For example, when “on-diet,” patients report these improvements:
PKU
More energy
Less anxiety
Better focus and mood
Galactosemia
Less stomach pain
Urea Cycle Disorders
Better focus and sleep
Your role as a parent of a child with a special diet may change, too. For example:
In general, older children have more difficulty maintaining metabolic control. This means that paying attention to the diet and special formula is a lifelong task.
People with galactosemia may be instructed to introduce some dairy products, like hard cheeses, as they age.
Diet guidelines may change as new treatments become available.
Focus on Your Child, Not The Condition
Most people with metabolic disorders will stray from their diet at some point. Research shows that as children age and gain independence, they are more likely to try restricted foods and skip their formula. Knowing that this may happen can help you prepare to work on it with your child. You can let your child know that you are always there to support him or her. Here are some other steps you can take:
Help your child build an identity beyond the condition.
Although your child may have fewer food choices than his or her siblings, friends, or classmates, he or she can have just as many hobbies, responsibilities, and choices in other areas of life. Your child’s condition should determine what they eat, not who they are.
Talk to your child about something other than food.
What makes your child unique? What are his or her strengths? Point out what he or she is good at while keeping diet out of the conversation.
Remember that going off diet is part of the cycle.
While it’s important for children to follow the diet and formula requirements, research shows that being too strict with the diet does not help children stick to it in the long run.
It is natural for children to want to try restricted foods, especially when they are old enough to go out to eat with friends. Throughout these ups and downs, keep your message the same: “I’m here for you.”
Drama-Free Diet
Whether your child’s diet is low-protein, low-fat, low-carb, or dairy-free, it shouldn’t take center stage.
Keep emotion out of food.
What your child eats is certainly important, but try to think of each meal as just another meal. If you fixate too much on the food your child eats, he or she may learn to leverage the power!
Educate your child.
The better your child understands why he or she has to eat special food, the more likely he or she is to follow the diet.
Help your child get social support.
Look into summer camps, social groups, and other activities where your child can meet other children with similar conditions.
Present food and formula in normal ways.
Try to make food look and taste as normal as possible. For example, serve your child low-protein pasta and meat-free sauce when you’re having pasta night for the whole family.
Dress up food with fun flavors, like different sauces, fresh fruits, or colorful veggies.
Look into low-protein, dairy-free, or other alternative food options.
There are hundreds of low-protein and dairy-free products on the market today. Incorporate these products in your child’s diet to provide more variety and “normal” options.
See the Resources section for a full list of resources for special diets.
Throw Out The First Pitch
Provide your child with a cafeteria or birthday party “pitch” – just one or two short sentences – so that he or she can explain the diet to classmates and friends.
Here are some general guidelines:
Frame the condition in a positive way.
Keep your explanation simple. Build on it as your child grows and can understand more.
Help your child practice explaining the condition to friends and classmates.
Sample Pitches
PKU or Urea Cycle Disorder (low-protein)
“My body can’t break down the protein in foods like meat, fish, and beans, so I eat foods that don’t have too much protein, like fruits, vegetables, and a special drink for energy.”
Galactosemia (dairy-free)
“My body can’t process dairy, like milk, cheese, or ice cream, so I drink soy milk and eat dairy-free foods instead.”
Ideas for the Road
Brainstorm with your child, so that he or she feels prepared for different situations
What’s a good “cafeteria pitch” or “birthday party pitch” for your child? Write down a few ideas.
Resources
Information and Social Support
New England Consortium of Metabolic Programs
This website features information and resources from a variety of health professionals aimed at providing care for people with metabolic disorders.
This organization provides year-round support and resources for young people with chronic conditions during their transition to adulthood.
The Hole In The Wall Gang Summer Camp
This week-long camp in Ashford, CT offers children with chronic conditions the opportunity to bond with other children with similar conditions and improve their self-management skills.
Alternative Food Companies and Recipes
Sticking to a Special Diet Without Getting Stuck: Enhance Your Child’s Adherence to Special Diets, A Guide For Parents of Children With Metabolic Disorders
was created by:
Kayla McGowan, MA, Emerson College, Health Communication Program
Preceptor: Susan Waisbren, PhD
Supervisor: Christine Skubisz, PhD
Media Coordinator: Freedom Baird, MS
This guide was created in collaboration with the Metabolism Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, and with support from New England Genetics Collaborative
Photo Credits: Parents of children with metabolic disorders, patients with metabolic disorders, and stock photography
For additional information, please contact:
Susan Waisbren, PhD
Metabolism Program
Division of Genetics
Boston Children’s Hospital
1 Autumn Street
Boston, MA 02215
617-355-7346