Eating tips for kids with cancer

This information has been reviewed by:
Dr Michael Jefford, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Vivian Kong, Accredited Practising Dietitian, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute
Brooke Chapman, Dietitian, APD, Austin Health

Children with cancer need good nutrition for normal growth as well as the demands made by their treatment. It is important to encourage your child to eat a balanced diet and to keep physically active while they are having treatment. Continue normal daily routines as much as possible, so your child does not feel separate from the rest of your family. Meal times are important times for families to share.

Even though you may be concerned about fussy habits, try to avoid food becoming a bargaining tool or a source of anxiety for either you or your child. Sometimes children use food to express the despair or frustration that they can't express easily in other ways.

Loss of appetite and a feeling of fullness are side effects of some treatments. There are many ways in which you can stimulate your child's appetite and improve their dietary intake. A lot of tips already given in this booklet may be useful. Here are some extra things you can try:

• Let your child have food at any time, not just at meal times. If they have small meals, these will be supplemented by nourishing snacks.
• Be flexible. For example, allow your child to have breakfast cereal for dinner if that's what they would prefer.
• Sometimes, fatty or sugary foods may be useful high-energy snacks if they are all your child wants to eat. Any nourishment is better than none, but don't let these foods become a habit.
• Encourage your child to make meal times special occasions by letting them plan the table setting, use decorated paper cups, patterned plates, fancy drinking straws, coloured drinks, etc.
• Include takeaways in the family diet occasionally. This can help to tempt fussy eaters.
• Use the time between treatments, when there are less side effects, to make up for any nourishment your child may have missed during treatments.

If your child is losing weight as a result of treatment, ask your doctor or dietitian for further advice.

Back to top