Many children with cancer may lose weight because of the cancer itself or due to poor appetite during chemotherapy. They may find that food makes them feel sick or they notice a change in the taste of some foods.

The dietitian or doctor may recommend foods for your child that you would normally think of as unhealthy, but don't worry, they have good reasons for doing this.

A good diet is one that gives you everything you need to keep your body working well. The key to a good diet is variety and balance. There is no scientific evidence to prove that taking large amounts of supplements is helpful. In fact it can be harmful to take more than the daily recommended requirement.

We need energy even if we are not very active, just sitting in a chair we need energy to breathe. If there are too few we start to use up our body's stores of energy and lose weight.

Energy is measured in calories. Sometimes the dietician will prescribe high calorie milks/drinks for your child to supplement his/her oral intake. This can also be given via a naso-gastric tube given at certain intervals or continuously. Occasionally, when your child is unable to take orally, nutrition could be given intravenously (TPN).  

It is important to take cooked food. Fruits should be washed thoroughly and peeled before consumption. Please avoid non pasteurised milks, live or bio yoghurts, cheeses made from unpasteurised milk or not fully cooked eggs and 'rojak'.