Nutritional Changes Needed to Manage Kwashiorkor

Nutritional Changes Needed to Manage Of Disease A person that suffers from Kwashiorkor has typically been without food for an extended period of time. Due to this, beginning a healthy diet is a step-by-step process and must begin with slowly introducing food a little at a time. The first calories introduced into a nutritious diet begin with carbohydrates, which include fruits, starchy vegetables, cereals and breads to provide calories. Once the carbohydrates are tolerated and are providing energy, the next step is to add simple sugars and fats. The final important introduction of food is a sufficient amount of protein. Good sources of protein include milk and dairy products, eggs, beans, nuts, red meat, poultry and fish. (Tamberlane). It is important to know that children who are suffering from Kwashiorkor can mainly be caused by severe protein deficiency that usually occurs when the child is weaned from breastfeeding. Because of this, many of these children may be lactose-intolerant and therefore lead to them needing a lactase enzyme supplement to digest milk, yogurt and cheese. Being that in many parts of the world, people are too poor to provide for their families and they are unable to give them the necessary protein-rich foods needed. Plumpy’Nut, a RUFT (Ready-to-Use Food) is a specifically formulated to aid in the nutritional rehabilitation of children and adults suffering from this disease. (Rice). The basic ingredients are peanut butter, powdered milk, powdered sugar, enriched with vitamins and minerals. It is cheap, easy to manufacture, requires no preparation or refrigeration and is sweet enough for the enjoyment of kids. A piece of Plumpy’Nut is equivalent to a glass of milk and a multivitamin and can help to reduce kwashiorkor disease in many countries.
Rice, Andrew. “The Peanut Solution.” The New York Times 2 Sept. 2010: 36. Web. 14 Apr. 2013.

Tamberlane, William. “Yale Guide To Children’s Nutrition.” Human Illnesses. Yale University Press, 1 Feb. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.