Cerebral Palsy :Diet for Cerebral Palsy

The simple act of feeding can be really tough for a child with cerebral palsy, and is very likely a handful for you, too. In this article we discuss foods and nutrients you need to include in your little one’s diet, and show you how to prepare the meals so they’re easier to swallow.

Cerebral palsy severely affects the use and coordination of muscles, including those we require for eating and drinking. That’s why children with the condition often have a hard time chewing and swallowing their food. Add difficulties when using utensils, and it’s suddenly clear why feeding time represents an uphill battle for most kids with CP. As a consequence, many end up underweight and short of vital nutrients necessary for their physical growth, development and overall well-being.
To avoid malnourishment, it's of key importance your child gets an optimal daily amount of calories brimming with vitamins and minerals. In this piece we show you what types of foods are essential for your kid, as well as how to prepare them so they can be chewed and digested more easily:
Pack in the fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be the cornerstone of every diet, but they are absolutely indispensable for everyone suffering from cerebral palsy. Why? Vitamins and minerals found in these high-fiber foods are not only instrumental for proper brain growth and development, but they’re also easily digestible and quickly turn into energy essential for exercising and muscle development. What’s more, such foods are extremely rich in fiber which helps to move stool through the colon.
Whole-grain pasta or rice topped with a vegetable sauce and a healthy source of protein on the side makes for a tasty and all-round meal which isn't costly and requires little time to prepare.
Get the liquids in
If your child struggles with chewing and swallowing food, it’s a good idea to get the bulk of his or hers recommended daily calorie intake by introducing more liquid foods to the diet.
Similarly, it’s best to avoid anything that’s too sticky or textured. Skip out on foods such as toffee candy, peanut brittle, sinewy meats, and any others that might be tough and time-consuming to chew.
You'll find that blending a certain food often makes it much easier to process. Smoothies, creamy soups, porridges, puddings, and rich stews should be the foundation of your child's diet, as they are packed with the necessary nutrients and easy to swallow down.
Constipation is a common issue with those affected by cerebral palsy, so drinking enough water and other fluids like fresh-pressed fruit juices and herbal teas is extremely important. Staying properly hydrated is beneficial for better digestion and will help your kid maintain higher energy levels.
Fruit smoothies make the perfect breakfast Healthy smoothies are a fun and easy way to get an ample amount of calories in your child's diet. They are also high in water and fiber, which will help with constipation and soothe other digestion problems.
Start the day off with a fruit smoothie breakfast, just make sure it's calorie-dense. We recommend sweet and starchy fruits like bananas and dates as a base, which you can then mix up with any other fruits or vegetables your kid likes best. The combinations are virtually endless and you can experiment until you find a few recipes that hit the sweet spot.
If you're always struggling to sneak in leafy greens in your kid's diet, spinach and kale are virtually impossible to taste if you blend them in a sweet fruit smoothie. A smart trick to boost the calorie count is to add a spoonful or two of a healthy fat source, such as coconut milk or any nut butter (it’s always better to go for the creamy instead of the crunchy version).
Practice chewing
It's good to rely on liquid foods in order to get the main share of calories in, but make sure your kid still develops his or hers masticatory reflex with smaller snacks in between meals. Try dried fruits like apricots or a piece of bread. If you think that’s too difficult for your child, CaringForCerebralPalsy suggests a smart technique: “allow them to chew on (but not swallow) a piece of fruit securely wrapped in a piece of muslin which you can control”.
Know what to avoid

If your child gets acid reflux, citrusy foods, spicy foods, garlic, and onion should get a miss. Avoid carbonated soft drinks, processed fast foods and any other foods of poor nutritional value that are difficult to digest.