Dietitian Services

In the Hematology and Oncology Clinic, dietitians are available to help you understand and meet your child's nutrition needs. When your child is in the clinic or in the hospital, your child's doctor or nurse practitioner may ask the dietitian to see your child to provide nutrition recommendations that can help manage your child's condition.

Dietitian services in the Hematology and Oncology Clinic

Cancer can interrupt normal growth and development in children. Cancer, its treatment, or simply the way that your child feels can impact appetite, eating habits, growth, and even long-term health. Dietitians can help families learn how to provide the best nutrition during their child's cancer treatment to help them stay on track.

Our dietitians can help with the following:

Weight gain and proper growth
Side effect management (poor appetite, constipation, diarrhea, mucositis, etc.)
Calorie boosters, recipes, and oral supplements
Tube feedings
Food safety
Weight management
Survivorship care
Iron deficiency anemia

If you are looking for further information related to cancer and nutrition or recipes, please visit Nutritional Needs for Kids With Cancer or the National Cancer Institute.

Your dietitians

Karen Bourland, RD, LD, CNSC
Dietetic Internship at Baylor Medical Center Dallas and Texas Christian University
Bachelors in Nutrition and Dietetics from Texas Christian University
Rachel Hill, RD, LD
Dietetic Internship at Baylor University Medical Center
Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science from Louisiana State University

If your child sees a doctor in the Hematology and Oncology Clinic and you would like to speak with a dietitian at your next visit, ask your doctor or call the clinic at 682-885-4007.

Cancer-friendly recipes for weight gain

The recipes below may be helpful for children with cancer who are trying to gain weight or prevent weight loss during difficult cancer treatments. For specific recommendations on the right amount of calories, protein, and other nutrients for YOUR child, always contact your dietitian or doctor. The recipes below are not meant to replace the medical advice of your doctor or the nutritional advice of your dietitian.

Double chocolate shake

Yield: 1 serving
Serving Size: 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Carnation Breakfast Essentials® (chocolate)8 oz. whole milk
1 cup ice cream (chocolate)
1/3 cup dried whole milk powder
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processor until well blended.
Add extra ice if needed to improve temperature and acceptability.

This recipe is appropriate and safe for:

Persons who need to gain weight.
Persons WITHOUT milk allergy.

recipe-shake-main

Oreo® cream shake

Yield: 1 serving
Serving Size: 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Carnation Breakfast Essentials® (chocolate)
8 oz. whole milk
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup dried whole milk powder
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 Oreo cookies, crumbled

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processor until well blended.
Add extra ice if needed to improve temperature and acceptability.

This recipe is appropriate and safe for:

Persons who need to gain weight.
Persons WITHOUT milk allergy.

recipe-creamshake

Strawberry banana booster

Yield: 1 serving
Serving size: 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Carnation Breakfast Essentials® (strawberry–or any flavor)
8 oz whole milk
1 cup ice cream (vanilla or strawberry)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium, ripe banana

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processor until well blended.
Add extra ice if needed to improve temperature and acceptability.

This recipe is appropriate and safe for:

Persons who need to gain weight.
Persons WITHOUT milk allergy.

recipe-banana

Berry banana smoothie

Yield: 1 serving
Serving size: 2 cups

Ingredients:

1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt with berries
1/2 cup half and half
1 cup frozen berries
1 banana

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processor until well blended.
Add extra ice if needed to improve temperature and acceptability.

This recipe is appropriate and safe for:

Persons who need to gain weight.
Persons WITHOUT milk allergy.

recipe-berrybanana

Creamy alfredo side dish pasta

Yield: 2 servings
Serving size: 1 cup

Ingredients:

1 bag Pasta Sides (Alfredo flavor)
2 cups whole milk
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. butter or tub margarine

Preparation:

Prepare pasta using whole milk, oil and butter to make sauce, following the directions on the package.
Add chicken or vegetables, if desired, for a main dish.

This recipe is appropriate and safe for:

Persons who need to gain weight.
Persons WITHOUT milk allergy.

recipe-alfredo

Energy packed pasta salad

Yield: 1 serving
Serving size: 1 cup (cooked)

Ingredients:

½ cup enriched, rotini pasta-dry
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp Italian salad dressing
1 Tbsp Ranch salad dressing
5 black olives, sliced
1 oz mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp sunflower seeds
Add tomatoes, cucumbers, or spinach as desired

Preparation:

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil on the stove.
Add a dash of salt to the cooking water.
Add dry rotini pasta, reduce heat until pasta is just boiling, and cook for 8-12 minutes or until cooked but slightly firm to the tooth.
Remove from heat.
Carefully drain off water.
Add other ingredients, and stir to mix.
Serve warm or cool.

This recipe is appropriate and safe for:

Persons who need to gain weight.
Persons WITHOUT milk or wheat allergy.

recipe-energy

We are here to help.

If your child has been diagnosed, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-6152.