Diet Help with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a person's ability to move his body and control the use of his muscles. According to the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, people with cerebral palsy often have muscle tightness and difficulty with fine motor skills like using utensils to eat. It is important that people with cerebral palsy get adequate nutrition because malnourishment is common due to difficulty eating.

Avoid foods with complicated textures. Foods like peanut brittle, which is very chewy or peanut butter, which is thick and sticky in the mouth, may be too difficult for a person with cerebral palsy to chew and swallow. Choose soft foods as often as possible so that it will be easier for the patient to eat and get the nutrients he needs. If he has trouble using regular utensils, use utensils specially designed for people with cerebral palsy that may be available from your physical therapist or a local medical supply store.

Eat foods rich in fiber to prevent constipation and other gastrointestinal problems associated with cerebral palsy. The website CerebralPalsySource.com states that people with cerebral palsy frequently have stomach problems such as constipation. Whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat bread, along with fruits and vegetables, can help prevent and decrease constipation.

Supplement with nutritional drinks if it is difficult to get enough calories in or if you are underweight. CerebralPalsySource.com explains that in addition to gastrointestinal problems, people with cerebral palsy sometimes vomit because it is too hard for them to get foods down their esophagus. If you vomit or aren't able to eat enough because coordinating the muscles around your mouth is difficult, drinking your nutrition may be necessary.


Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. The organization 4 My Child, which focuses on improving the conditions of children with cerebral palsy, states that vitamins and nutrients that are found in fruits are essential for proper growth and health of the brain. They state that 35 percent of all children who have cerebral palsy are malnourished. The vitamins in fruits and vegetables can help you feel more energized so that you have the strength to continue eating and working your muscles.

Nutritional Needs of Cerebral Palsy Children

Nutritional Needs of Cerebral Palsy Children

While a proper diet is important for all children, it is especially important for those special needs children who suffer from cerebral palsy.

Food choices are important since it’s been shown that they can improve or worsen some of the physical symptoms associated with cerebral palsy. It’s important for parents to know which foods to include as a steady part of the diet and which ones to avoid in order to provide the child with the best possible nutrition.
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormalities in the brain. These abnormalities cause a disruption in the child’s ability to control movements and posture. The child can exhibit symptoms that range in severity from mild requiring no kind of special assistance to ones so severe there is a need for lifelong care.
Some forms of cerebral palsy (CP) may have detrimental effects on the brain’s ability to move the face, mouth and head which can cause problems from the child when he or she attempts to chew and eat. Because the condition may affect the chewing function, the diet needs to include quality foods that are easy to eat or drink.

The Importance of Good Nutrition

Proper nourishment is of great concern for children who have cerebral palsy. As many as 35 percent of cerebral palsy children suffer from malnutrition according to the organization MyChild. This factor slows the growth process and makes it difficult for the child to gain weight.

For children with cerebral palsy, high calorie healthy foods are essential because it may be difficult for many to physically consume enough food to meet their nutritional requirements.

Two of the most common symptoms of cerebral palsy are constipation and acid reflux. This is the result of poor muscle tone, a condition that makes it difficult for the body to push stool through the colon and into the lower sphincter of the esophagus. This causes the contents of the stomach to wash into the esophagus which causes the condition known as acid reflux.
When preparing foods for a child with cerebral palsy, limit processed foods that have very little nutritional value as much as possible. Instead, place your focus on foods that are high in calories, are nutritious, and contain high qualify fats.

A great addition to the child’s daily diet is calorie-rich smoothies that contain fruits high in calories such as bananas, mangos and avocados, along with green leafy vegetables and powdered greens for the vitamin content.

It is also important to include healthy fats in order to increase both the nutrition and calorie count. This might include nut butters, coconut milk, and coconut oil; you can spread them on foods or add them to smoothies.
Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collards, and kale are good in smoothies or added to many of the foods you prepare for your child. These leafy green vegetables add vitamins, minerals, fiber, and bulk, the latter of which are important to avoid constipation.


In order to add prebiotics and probiotics to the diet, you may wish to include cultured dairy products, sauerkraut, kimchi, and bananas. These components help build healthy bacteria and help with relief from constipation.

Diet and Fruit For Cerebral Palsy Diet

The simple act of feeding can be really tough for a child with cerebral palsy, and is very likely a handful for you, too. In this article we discuss foods and nutrients you need to include in your little one’s diet, and show you how to prepare the meals so they’re easier to swallow.

Cerebral palsy severely affects the use and coordination of muscles, including those we require for eating and drinking. That’s why children with the condition often have a hard time chewing and swallowing their food. Add difficulties when using utensils, and it’s suddenly clear why feeding time represents an uphill battle for most kids with CP. As a consequence, many end up underweight and short of vital nutrients necessary for their physical growth, development and overall well-being.
To avoid malnourishment, it's of key importance your child gets an optimal daily amount of calories brimming with vitamins and minerals. In this piece we show you what types of foods are essential for your kid, as well as how to prepare them so they can be chewed and digested more easily:
Get the liquids in
If your child struggles with chewing and swallowing food, it’s a good idea to get the bulk of his or hers recommended daily calorie intake by introducing more liquid foods to the diet.
Similarly, it’s best to avoid anything that’s too sticky or textured. Skip out on foods such as toffee candy, peanut brittle, sinewy meats, and any others that might be tough and time-consuming to chew.
You'll find that blending a certain food often makes it much easier to process. Smoothies, creamy soups, porridges, puddings, and rich stews should be the foundation of your child's diet, as they are packed with the necessary nutrients and easy to swallow down.
Constipation is a common issue with those affected by cerebral palsy, so drinking enough water and other fluids like fresh-pressed fruit juices and herbal teas is extremely important. Staying properly hydrated is beneficial for better digestion and will help your kid maintain higher energy levels.
Fruit smoothies make the perfect breakfast
Healthy smoothies are a fun and easy way to get an ample amount of calories in your child's diet. They are also high in water and fiber, which will help with constipation and soothe other digestion problems.
Start the day off with a fruit smoothie breakfast, just make sure it's calorie-dense. We recommend sweet and starchy fruits like bananas and dates as a base, which you can then mix up with any other fruits or vegetables your kid likes best. The combinations are virtually endless and you can experiment until you find a few recipes that hit the sweet spot.
If you're always struggling to sneak in leafy greens in your kid's diet, spinach and kale are virtually impossible to taste if you blend them in a sweet fruit smoothie. A smart trick to boost the calorie count is to add a spoonful or two of a healthy fat source, such as coconut milk or any nut butter (it’s always better to go for the creamy instead of the crunchy version).
Practice chewing

It's good to rely on liquid foods in order to get the main share of calories in, but make sure your kid still develops his or hers masticatory reflex with smaller snacks in between meals. Try dried fruits like apricots or a piece of bread. If you think that’s too difficult for your child, CaringForCerebralPalsy suggests a smart technique: “allow them to chew on (but not swallo

Diet and Exercise for Cerebral Palsy

People with cerebral palsy is that they have trouble gaining weight. A good, nutritious way of gaining weight for those with cerebral palsy is adding key foods to their diet. The following list is made up of these kinds:
Corn oil or canola oil margarine on bread, vegetables, rice, pasta, hot cereals
Powdered skim milk added to regular whole milk

Wheat germ
Raisins
Puddings
Peanut butter
Custards
Eggs
Thick shakes
Cheese
Ice cream
There are also nutritional supplements available in drug stores that do not require a prescription; however, it is recommended that you consult your child’s pediatrician before purchasing any of these. There are also doctor prescribed supplements too. Remember that supplements are useful, but not as good as the real thing.
According to cerebralpalsy.org, the ketogenic diet is good, but better for children than adults. The diet includes many fats and limits carbs. It recommends 3 or 4 grams of fat for every gram of carbohydrates. You will be feeding the child high-fat dairy products, peanut butter and fatty meats. You will need to supplement this diet with calcium, vitamin D, iron and folic acid. Other diets are out there to try, but this one was what seemed more reasonable than some of the others.
Many methods are available if your child has trouble chewing. Your GP may be able to help you set up meetings with a dietician and a language therapist can help with the method of chewing itself. Dried apricots and fruit strips can also be helpful in between meals if your child has trouble chewing.
The child’s muscle tone is also an important factor in figuring out an appropriate diet. For example, if the child has high muscle tone, they will burn calories much faster than a child with low muscle tone. The goal in supplementing his diets is to add calories without adding bulk (roughage) or empty calories in the diet. Supplemental calories should come from protein, fats, and unrefined carbohydrates. For example, you can add nutrients and calories to your child’s diet with sprinklings of powdered milk, ground nuts, and cheese. There are also many infant formulas designed to give a high caloric, balanced diet, as well as supplements to increase calories. In addition, underweight children with cerebral palsy sometimes benefit from more frequent mini-meals rather than the usual three meals a day. Your child’s pediatrician, speech-language pathologist, and nutritionist can advise you on these and other ways of increasing or enhancing your child’s nutrition.”

Exercise is also very important for those with Cerebral Palsy. It can help increase heart and lung exercise as well as reduce risk for several chronic diseases, like osteopathy or high blood pressure. It is suggested that exercise be made part of the child’s daily routine. It is also said that it should be incorporated into things such as eating and dressing. Swimming can also be helpful since it may improve respiratory ability.