Weight Gainer Pudding Recipe- Fractionated Coconut Oil

I have been, again, reading great things about the benefits of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil for people with cystic fibrosis. Due to their greater solubility in water, MCTs can be absorbed in the presence of minimal pancreatic enzymes and in the absence of bile salts.

I was previously thinking it was a great idea to feed Valentino as much fat as possible and add it in any way to his meals (added butter, cream, ice cream, bacon, etc.) The downside to this, which I recently learned from our new (and incredible) nutritionist at Children’s Hospital, is that I have to give Valentino so many Creon tabs (digestive enzymes) to help him digest the fat that then I end up exceeding the amount of digestive enzymes he should be taking in each day. Also, he ends up with a tummy ache and I’m not sure how he would describe it, but he just seems uncomfortable, gassy and in pain.

Apparently CFers do really well with the MCT because it doesn’t require such high digestive enzyme doses to digest it.

I was using the MCT for several months last winter and noticed that his breathing was even clearer and we had less cold/flu symptoms. I then stopped using the MCT to see if I noticed a difference in his health and/or weight gain. And it did seem to make a significant difference. His weight gain flatlined on his charts instead of continuing to progress in an upward trend. I am going to go back to adding the MCT into his diet and have found a recipe that he likes and is easy to incorporate the coconut oil into. (I use Fractionated Coconut oil which is a MCT).

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE PUDDING

1 tbsp. Hersheys cocoa powder

1/2 C. sugar

1/2 C. whole milk

1/2 C. heavy cream

1/2 C. coconut milk

1/2 C. MCT oil

1 Tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 (heaping) Tbsp flour

Stir sugar, four, and cocoa together and mix well. Add milk(s) slowly while stirring. Continue to stir on low heat. When pudding thickens add butter and vanilla. Serve. So delicious with homemade whipped cream or a little chocolate or vanilla ice cream!

I love recipes like this because Valentino is still little enough that I have to break open his Creon tabs and sprinkle the enzymes on his food. So–puddings and blended foods are still very easy. If he sees enzymes on his spaghetti or sandwich….he already turns his head away and clamps his mouth shut to avoid eating it.

With chocolate pudding, it’s simple to mix in the enzymes and sneak them into his meal.