Ten High-Calorie Diet Tips for Underweight Kids and Picky Eaters

Use these ten techniques to bulk up your child's caloric intake to compensate for high-energy output, fussy eating habits and below normal weight gain.

 

Young children are small but very active. Therefore, they need a lot of calories for energy. This is especially important if a child is underweight. You can plan meals and snacks for your child with high-calorie foods to provide her with the energy she needs. However, avoid giving your child junk food with empty calories. The high-calorie foods must have nutrients to keep your child on track for growth and development. Even if your child is a picky eater, there are several things you can do to provide the necessary calories.

1. Ask your pediatrician for advice about planning high-protein meals for your kids. The doctor will know if your child is on track for development and whether you need to bulk up the calories at mealtimes. Always consult your pediatrician about any health concerns you have for your child.
2. Plan your child’s meals more frequently than three times a day. Add snack times at mid-morning, mid-afternoon and bedtime. A child’s stomach is small and he may not be able to eat enough calories on an adult’s meal schedule.
3. Serve high-calorie, protein-rich foods such as meat, beans, whole milk, yogurt, regular cheese, peanut butter and eggs. Do not serve low-fat or fat-free foods to your child.
4. Prepare high-density carbohydrates such as pasta, potatoes and rice. Top the food servings with cheese sauce, grated cheese or gravy.
5. Give your kids dried fruit instead of fresh fruit. Dried fruit such as raisins, apple chips or dried bananas have higher calories per weight than fresh fruit.
6. Offer the kids cream soups instead of clear soups. Add a spoonful of powdered milk to whole milk for cereals.
7. Add butter, margarine or vegetable oil to dishes to enhance the calorie content. Add a dollop of sour cream or mayonnaise.
8. Enlist the help of your kids in preparing meals. It may encourage them to eat more. Have your preschooler pour the cereal or ask him to set the table. Offer him a choice of two vegetables to pick from for dinner.
9. Serve the kids finger foods that are easy to eat so they will eat more. Cheese sticks, fish sticks and peanut butter spread on crackers or celery are handy, high-calorie finger foods.
10. Set an example by eating well yourself. Children learn by example. If you make sure you eat a well-balanced diet, your kids will likely develop good eating habits themselves. In addition, make meal times and snack times enjoyable family events. Eliminate distractions such as television to keep your kids focused on eating. Don’t criticize the kids if they don’t eat much. Keep the experience positive.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.