Guide to PKU - Mead Johnson Nutrition

• Measure the Phenyl-Free ® 1,Phenyl-Free 2, Phenyl-Free 2HP,or any other PKU formula intoindividual baggies or other smallplastic bags. You may find that asmall shaker works well for mixingthe products.• Once your child is eating foodsfrom the table, you can ordervegetables and fruit for him atrestaurants so he feels like eatingout is a treat.• Always carry low-phenylalaninesnacks, such as fruit, low-proteincookies, and candy. If your familyhas ice cream, get a non-milk,iced popsicle for your child withPKU.Helping Your School-AgedChild With The Diet• Teach your child how to dealwith questions about his dietfrom classmates. Think up goodanswers together before he startsschool.• Be sure your child’s teachers andlunchroom supervisor know ofthe diet for PKU and its importanceto his health. Most schoolpersonnel will be very happy tohelp. It may be useful for you togive the teacher a guide to whatkinds of snack foods your childcan have. Children often bringcupcakes or cookies to school tocelebrate birthdays or other holidays,and if your child can alsohave a special treat then he won’tfeel so different from his friends.• With some practice, you can helpyour child pack a lunch thatlooks like other kids’ lunches. Ifyou put cold formula in an insulatedlunch bag in the morning,it will usually stay cold untillunch time. Measure out thefoods your child should eat andpack these in small containers orbaggies. Low-protein bread forsandwiches, raw vegetables, fruits,and low-protein cookies can helphis lunch look “normal.” If yourchild knows to bring home anyuneaten foods from his lunch,you can keep better track of whathe needs for supper to meet hisdaily requirements.• Encourage your child to participatein school activities, eventhough arrangements may haveto be made for meals. The dietfor PKU should be treated as asmall inconvenience in an otherwisenormal life.• Develop the habit of treatingeach day as important to thehealth of your child. In additionto keeping a 3-day diet recordbefore blood tests, it is helpful tokeep a daily food diary. This willhelp you stay in the habit ofrecording your child’s diet. Aspiral-bound notebook kept inthe kitchen works well for thispurpose, and you can also note ifyour child is sick. Then, when hisblood level is high, you can goback through the food diary andtry to determine what caused it.• Teach your child the need to beaware of what she eats and beconsistent in drinking the specialmetabolic product. Help yourchild learn to make appropriatefood choices.20