Hi, I'm actually a member of a different community on this website, but I have a close relative with PKU. She's a preteen, and is having some trouble with being hungry and cheating with the diet. My sense from what I've read about PKU is that hunger is pretty common given what the diet is like. Do you have any tips for dealing with the hunger and the temptation to eat verboten foods? Thanks so much!

It can be hard to have a easy fix. A lot of it depends on what her diet is like some people have milder cases of PKU and therefore can eat more over all. However one thing that might work is to try to eat really low protein things so that she could eat more. Also being that she preteen and growing she may need her formula to change. As far as cheating it is hard not to, the temptation is really tough. First I guess acknowledge how hard it can be and be positive about what she does right. It is also an important time to let her feel more in charge of her own diet. Also important to make it clear to her that cheating hurts only her and no one else. It is also important to help and explore ways to help her be "normal " around other kids.As happy as she should be with her self, it is a time where peer pressure can be overwhelming and having a plan for what to do before being in those situations is helpful. Just F.Y.I when I don't feel like sharing my disease with people I just say I am a vegan who is allergic to a lot of foods.

Thanks--I appreciate the advice! The vegan excuse may come in handy.