When a child has a poor appetite, a dietitian might try making meals smaller or suggesting the nutrition in a different form such as in a milkshake. 

Often dieticians build a meal plan that the child finds appetising and includes dense calories to help fight weight loss. 

As a parent you may be reassured that most children gain weight after they finish treatment. Some children may gain weight at an unhealthy rate and need physical activity and a balanced nutritional diet to help them adjust. Y

our child's health care team and dietitian can help with this.

Making healthy choices after cancer treatment helps:

• build strength and energy levels
• heal tissues and organs that were damaged by the cancer and treatment
• reduce the risk of developing certain types of adult cancers and diseases
• reduce the risk of long-term complications from cancer treatment
• feeling healthy and emotionally well. 

To make an appointment as an outpatient you need a referral from a hospital medical officer or paediatrician with admitting rights to the hospital.

Once you have a referral you can call the nutrition and dietetics team at the hospital to make an appointment.