Steroid nutrition plan

[FallingApart]

We are currently in a holding pattern until we decide what to do next with DD. In the meantime she will be on steroids for at least the next 2 weeks. The RX is written for 5 weeks but I hope we don't have to go that long. DD has the opposite problem that most PANDAS children have. She does not have the self imposed diet restrictions, she is a really good eater and will usually try most anything.

 

I say usually because we are in the middle of a PANDAS epispode and are now on steroids. Because she is such a good eater and because she likes milk so much, she is not super thin. I'm concerned that the increased appetite that goes along with the steroids is going to add yet another problem for us. She seems obsessed with eating candy, finding chips and needing even more milk and salt than usual. My brain is not working very well in the middle of this PANDAS episode and so I am turning to you all for help. I am wondering if you can offer suggestions on good, filling snacks for her. I know this should be so simple - just offer her a banana. But we all know it's not that simple. If she doesn't want a banana at that moment this could be a crisis for the whole family. So, I need some back up ideas. Hopefully this could be helpful to everyone who is doing and will be doing steroids.

[dcmom]

I am sure others will chime in.

 

I am thinking, this is not the time to beat yourself up about her diet, or to make changes for her. My dd is extremely thin, and eats like a bird. During the steroids, we were on vacation. She was hungry all of the time, and ate more at one meal than she normally would during the entire day. At this point I would do my best to offer her healthy, high fiber (filling) stuff- but would not stress either of you out on it. If she gains a few pounds, so be it. Maybe you can try keeping her a bit more active, as well.

 

Once the steroids, and pandas episode are over- then I would tackle her diet- one item at a time. My pandas dd also used to love all dairy. I used to (with the doctors aggreement) limit her daily intake to the recommended amount, and of course it would all be low fat. Some healthy meals/snacks: apple with peanut butter, homemade muffins (low fat with agave syrup instead of sugar), whole wheat pasta, raw veggies and baked chips with salsa, whole wheat pasta, etc. Sometimes if they help in the preparing of foods, they are more likely to eat it as well.

 

There is a really cute blog (I have to search and find it) where the mom makes all meals look like a cute smiley face. She uses extremely healthy food- but really cute presentation.

[bronxmom2]

Hi, mine is also not a thin kid and has never had eating issues (he's half polynesian and he he's built like a brick), he is almost done with the 4-week steroid course and he's eaten A LOT and probably gained 5 pounds. He had a six pack before (no kidding!) and now he's got a little tummy. I started out planning to restrict his diet to avoid too much weight gain but ended up focusing on trying to keep him as active as possible. He just gets so hungry there's no denying him. I've been careful to start out each day with an much protein-heavy food in my bag as possible (boiled eggs, nuts, peanut butter sandwiches) to avoid having to buy food along the way, where there's little choice but junk. I also bring fruit, which he will not normally eat without cajoling... but another good thing about them being so hungry is that they'll eat stuff they wouldn't normally touch.

[FallingApart]

Bronxmom, how old is yours? Mine is only 3. I am also planning on focusing on the activity part too. Thank you for the tip on protien. Mine was found to have an allergy to eggs when we did the Celiac testing. We think we will try giving them to her again after the PEX but can't just yet.

 

We are in the northwest where it is raining like crazy. I need to figure out how to get activity into her without taking her to germ infested places.

[dcmom]

It might be time for one of those blow up indoor trampoline things.

 

I was thinking of getting a real tramp for the backyard next summer (my kids are older). I think exercise and fun is so helpful to pandas, and jumping is excellent. If you don't have one, and get a new one, she will probably use is a lot for a few weeks.

[faith]

Just some ideas for indoor excersize, maybe Wii games, especially Wii Fit? also the Dance Dance Revolution thingy that is a video and they have to keep up with the steps, something like that.

 

 

Faith