A nurse is teaching the guardians of a school-age child who has cystic fibrosis about dietary needs. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A. "Offer your child foods that are low in calories.": Children with cystic fibrosis require increased caloric intake due to higher metabolic demands and malabsorption issues. A low-calorie diet would not meet their energy needs and could lead to poor growth and nutritional deficits. B. "Offer your child foods that are low in protein.": Protein is essential for growth, tissue repair, and immune function, especially in children with cystic fibrosis who experience chronic illness. Restricting protein would worsen nutritional deficiencies and impair development. C. "Offer your child foods that are high in vitamin C.": While vitamin C is beneficial for immune support, the primary concern in cystic fibrosis is fat and fat-soluble vitamin malabsorption (A, D, E, and K). Simply increasing vitamin C intake does not adequately address nutritional needs. D. "Offer your child foods that are high in fat.": High-fat foods are encouraged for children with cystic fibrosis because they provide dense calories needed to meet high energy requirements. With pancreatic enzyme replacement, fat absorption is improved, making this the most appropriate dietary recommendation.