Do people with CF require a special diet?
In most people with CF the small channels that carry the digestive juices from the pancreas to the intestine become clogged with thick, sticky mucus. As a result people with CF do not absorb and digest their food easily. As well as taking enzyme pills to help digest food most people with CF require 20-50% more calories each day than people without CF, however some may need considerably more. People with CF are encouraged to eat cakes, crisps, chocolate and other foods often considered ‘unhealthy’. It is important for those with CF to maintain a healthy weight as it helps the body deal more effectively with chest infections or weight loss caused by illness.
