The Importance of Nutrition in the Management of SCD
A CHAT WITH OSAMEDE KIKI OGIUGO
June 11, 2023
SICKLE CELL DISORDER: IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE (PART ONE)
June 16, 2023
HEALTHY EATING WELL:
The Importance of Nutrition in the Management of SCD
By Bukola Bolarinwa
Nutrition plays a vital role in the management of Sickle Cell Disorer (SCD) especially in childhood and adolescence where children can experience malnutrition and stunted growth due to sickle cell crisis and other complications. Growing up with SCD is difficult in a number of ways but a significant challenge is frequent and debilitating sickle cell crisis. This causes pain, jaundice, fatigue and can lead to a poor appetite. SCD also causes low calcium intake, deficiencies in Vitamin D, folic acid and folate, delayed growth in children and late puberty in adolescents. Most parents, and eventually adults, struggle with knowing what foods to prepare to replace lost nutrients during and after a sickle cell crisis. This lack of information leaves a lot of adults and children eating the wrong things, from “herbs” to miracle supplements, in order to reverse the effects of SCD on the body.
There has been a lot of focus on medication to manage SCD but little investment in the role that nutrition can play via the eating of nutrient dense foods and nutritional supplements. I wrote the Healthy Warrior’s Cookbook to fill this gap and to educate people on proper nutrition and how food can act as medicine. Living with SCD and working with the Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF), I interact with a large number of people living with SCD and understand their challenges. The idea to create the cookbook came to me through a SCAF seminar with parents of children with SCD held at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria. They commented that I looked healthy and wanted detailed information on what I eat, drink and what supplements I take. They faced challenges getting their children interested in healthy food and I arranged for them to speak to a nutritionist, which they found very insightful.
Most people do not have access to a nutritionist and this article or the Healthy Warrior Cookbook is not a substitute for medical advice or professional plans by a nutritionist. It is advisable that any major changes to diets for people living with SCD and other medical conditions are discussed with a professional.
However, basic information on eating well can improve general health outcomes for people with SCD. As millions of people migrate to the cities, there is a shift to highly processed fast foods filled with salt, sugar and fat. Consequently, there has been a corresponding increase in obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure in Nigeria. It is important for adults with SCD and parents of children with SCD to avoid adding these health complications to their condition. Healthy meals are tasty, affordable and easily available.
In these columns, I will be sharing monthly, the definition of nutrient dense foods, how to build your child’s enthusiasm for healthy foods, how to create tasty meals, how to use local, fresh and easily available ingredients and demonstrate that healthy eating well does not have to be expensive. I will also be sharing seasonal recipes for healthy food and drinks that have particular benefits for warriors. However, everyone who wants to try new food and eat well can enjoy these recipes. There is nothing that people with SCD eat, that will not have benefits for anyone. Please feel free to email me for any questions or comments you would like this column to address in future editions.
