Good nutrition is generally important for overall health and growth, especially more if you are living with cystic fibrosis. This condition poses significant challenges that could include issues with appetite, nutrient intake, and fat absorption. There are ways to get the nutrition you need through daily proactive habits to manage this disorder. With a lack of nutrients, protein, and fat, it is hard to avoid colds and infections. The lungs are not usually healthy or clear and you may also become underweight. It is important to eat a balanced diet filled with protein, fat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Foods to help manage cystic fibrosis are:

• Protein
  Protein-rich foods like beef, chicken, eggs, fish, and soy help to prevent muscle loss.
• Zinc
  Kidney beans, beef, spinach, liver, eggs, and seafood are rich in zinc, which helps to fight infections.
• Calcium
  Dairy products like whole milk, high-fat yogurt, and high-fat cheese are good sources of calcium that help reduce the risk of osteoporosis found in people with cystic fibrosis.
• Fiber
  Most high-fiber breakfast cereals are high in protein. Such foods reduce the risk of intestinal blockages.
• Iron
  Foods like liver, tuna, lamb, seafood, eggs, beef, and turkey are high in iron, which fights off infection and produces oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
• Antioxidants
  A good source of antioxidants are found in fruit and vegetables, which are important for fighting off bacterial infection. Most people with cystic fibrosis have lung inflammation, which causes bacterial infection.
• Salt
  Due to a saltier sweat, which most people with cystic fibrosis have, they suffer from electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Cooking vegetables in chicken broth instead of water and snacking on salty foods, consuming pickles, and drinking sports drinks helps to replace the salt lost while sweating.

People with this disorder need to consume more fat and calories than other people. To increase general calorie consumption, you can choose:

• High-fat ground beef
• Whole milk instead of skimmed
• Sprinkle bacon and cheese on the salad, into eggs, and other dishes too.
• Drink smoothies with peanut butter, whole milk, and bananas.
• Use extra butter while frying eggs.
• Spread an additional layer of mayonnaise on sandwiches.
• Enjoy pasta with olive oil, parmesan cheese, Alfredo sauce or extra bacon.
• Eat high-quality dark chocolate.

It is ideal to avoid foods that are labeled as diet, low-fat, no-fat, or reduced-calorie. To help build muscle, repair tissues, and keep bones healthy and strong, it is important for people with cystic fibrosis to consume foods high in protein daily.

• Drink high-protein shakes as a snack or instead of a meal when you are not up to it.
• Add meat and cheese to your breakfast scrambled eggs. You can also add bacon, sausage, and salami.
• Eat quinoa, complete protein food which contains nine essential amino acids.
• Skim milk powder has slowly digested protein. Add to juice, pancake mix, malted milk, shakes, and breakfast cereal.
• Eat high-fat Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt.
• Consume high protein almonds. They give an added nutritional punch when added to cottage cheese.