From Plate to Progress: The Role of Nutrition in Children's Healing

As March unfolds its vibrant colors, it's not just the blossoming gardens that beckon our attention. This month also marks the celebration of Good Nutrition Month, initiated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It's a gentle reminder for us all to pause and consider the significance of making informed food choices and nurturing healthy eating and physical activity habits.

Shriners Children’s comprehensive care model integrates clinical nutritionists and registered dietitians who diligently oversee patients throughout both acute and rehabilitative stages. They extend their expertise nationwide, assisting patients from the sunny shores of Hawaii to the bustling streets of Philadelphia.

“Dietitians are nutrition specialists that serve as an essential part of your child’s interdisciplinary team,” said Sara Ausmus, clinical dietitian at Shriners Children’s Greenville. “They design individualized care plans to ensure your child has balanced nutrition to support postoperative healing, while providing nutrition education to families.”

Food Helps Aid All Injuries

Whether it's the thrill of sports, the joy of playground adventures or the simple delight of running freely, children are susceptible to injuries in their active pursuits. With their growth plates still open during development – the most susceptible part of their skeletal system – overuse injuries may occur, stemming from repetitive motions during play. Vital to the healing process is the consumption of proper nutrients, indispensable for facilitating speedy recovery.

“Diet and nutrition play a huge role when it comes to recovering from an injury, even if it’s a sports-related injury,” said Mike Szymendera, registered dietitian at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. “Good nutrition provides the body with key nutrients for rebuilding injured tissue. Recovery time can be shortened if you are allowing your body to consume the appropriate amount of key nutrients. For example, if an athlete injures a ligament or a tendon, proper nutrition will allow them to recover at a faster rate than an individual who did not focus on proper nutrition.”

“In pediatric sports injury recovery, diet and nutrition are essential for promoting healing, reducing inflammation and supporting muscle recovery,” said Annabelle Toll, registered dietitian at Shriners Children’s Northern California. “As a pediatric dietitian, I emphasize the importance of balanced nutrition, hydration and appropriate energy intake to support children's physical activity and recovery. For example, I may recommend nutrient-rich foods such as lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables to support tissue repair and provide antioxidants to reduce inflammation. Additionally, we have worked with athletes to ensure they are adequately hydrated before, during and after physical activity to optimize performance and recovery.

A Fulfilling Career

“One of the best parts of being a registered dietitian at Shriners Children’s is the awesome multidisciplinary care team we get to be a part of every day,” said Jenny. “We participate in daily rounds with other care team members to review patient updates, needs and goals for the day. This sets the tone for the day so that everyone is on the same page, and patients can get the best care possible. By working in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, we can see patients progress throughout their treatment plans, and it is amazing to see them grow and thrive after recovering from major injuries and/or surgeries. Watching patients grow up has been one of the favorite parts of my job!”