School’s Out… Now What? Keeping CF Care on Track This Summer

Stacey Fogarty-Brown, RD

It’s the end of the school year; kids are ditching the daily routine ready to trade in homework for lazy summer days! Excitement can be palpable for some, while others might be dreading it. Why might you ask, would there be dread? One word: routine. Losing the daily routine and structure that help keep the “well-oiled machine turning” for those with CF can easily fall apart when the alarm isn’t going off every morning at 6 am.

While summer break is a great time to rest, relax, and recharge for a few months it unfortunately is not like that for many of those living with CF. Breathing treatments still need to be completed. Medications, enzymes, vitamins all still need to be taken regularly. Doctor’s appointments and tests still need to be scheduled and completed. How can we help keep everyone on track, while also letting them be kids?

First and foremost, we should always acknowledge this is hard. It’s hard to keep a routine when there’s no place to go or be. It takes a lot of effort to keep on track, and no one is perfect. Things are going to be missed, like enzymes or having a high-fat snack. Missing a night here and there of tube feedings due to vacation is going to happen. It’s okay! Perfection is impossible, but consistency is key. So how can we help set our kids up for success over the summer without the stress of “getting it all in” every day? Here’s a few nutrition pointers:

If you fell off on your routine already, there is no time like now to jump back on it. Summer vacation can fly by and be over before you know it, and you can find yourself playing catch-up. Start offering more structured meal and snack times now as best as you can.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (+ electrolytes). I want this to be the second tip because the summer weather, especially here in Michigan, has already been extremely hot. Summer is a time to enjoy outdoors sports, but that can lead to increased salt losses, dehydration, and constipation (to name a few). Encourage hydration before, during, and after summer sports and pack salty snacks/electrolyte replacement beverages.
Stock the fridge and cupboards with easy to grab items. Ex: Leave fruit out in a bowl to grab from or have it cut up and ready-to-go in the fridge. Kids are more apt to eat what is right in front of them.
That said, you could also have a dedicated snack bin with protein bars, trail mix, chips, etc. that’s easily accessible. Remember nutrition is all about balance. Offering a variety of items helps create more competent eaters!
Keep cut-up veggies stored with fun dips like Ranch. Veggies are notoriously the least eaten food group when it comes to kids’ preferences, so just having it around and giving the chance to grab it is a great idea.
Plan out dinners (meals in general) as a family. Make a grocery list and assign tasks so everyone is included in the process. This helps keep you in the routine and preparation. But…don’t forget to enjoy summer meals like grilling hot dogs and campfire s’mores!
Keep medications like enzymes in a cool, dry place (NOT the hot car). Set reminders for kids who forget to take them since school ended or pack them for any trips in a safe place. Keep enzymes where snacks are (this is a big one, many kids forget to take them with snacks) to encourage consistency.
Try to consolidate vitamins to either morning or evening if your kiddo is struggling to take them daily over the summer. Talk to your CF team if you need help figuring out a good routine for your family.
Keep your CF team looped in on any summer struggles you might be having, so it can be addressed sooner vs later. Summertime can be a hard time for any child to keep up their normal growth, and that is even more so true for those with CF. Ex: is your kiddo having trouble drinking a protein shake that helps them gain weight because it’s too hot out? Talk to your dietitian about other available options and workarounds, we are happy to help!