| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 2/29/2008 10:05:30 PM | Hey all, I am in need of some helpful advice.
I have a very strong willed little boy who is driving me nutty, but before we get on the 'who is the parent' bandwagon, I am looking for advice for him...not parenting tips.
A little back ground, he had dental problems when he was a toddler, and seems to still associate some foods as food that caused him discomfort when he was little. He is now minus the top 4 front teeth, and 2 front lower teeth. So to expect him to eat food that he has to bite into seems unreasonable.
Ok he is 6 and normal size for his age, but he is pretty skinny. The kid will barely eat. I could understand it if this was just a faze...but it has been going on for months now. I can make him a lunch and he won't eat any of it, maybe the snack that is intended for his recess break but everything else is left. His excuse is that he doesn't have enough time between the bell and the lunch monitors to eat.
At home, he isn't into eating anything, if he asks for junk...he doesn't get it unless he eats something healthy. He won't eat that either so he tends to go without. There are some meals that I can prepare that he and his sister will totally pig out on, and even eat seconds. But I can't be making the same thing every night just to put some meat on this kid's bones.
His sister on the other hand, eats like a little horse. She would live on apples and oranges if I let her, and it seems not an hour goes by that there isn't some type of food in her hands.
I am thinking about maybe making him some protein type smoothies disguised as milk shakes using frozen yogurt and choc. syrup( because he doesn't like most fruit) Has anyone tried anything like this before?
Any other tips to somehow sneak anything into him that will help him build up some meat on his little body. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 1:48:03 AM | I was recommended avocado as an excellent food for helping weight gain in a toddler by my peadriatric nutritionist. Apparently it has a very high fat content of the right type of fat for healthy brain development. I also add a splosh of the oil to cooked stirfry. Gaucamole is nice and soft for his teeth.
Chips made with sweet potoato/other root veggies cooked in sunflower oil is on my list too.
Oh and rich fruit cake (like christmas cake but skip all the icing and marzipan) or traditional christmas pudding is another high calorie, nutrient rich thing most kids will eat. I make mine with extra dried apricots cos kids love the taste of dried apricots and they are high in iron (crucial for good brain development, and to help ward off the risk of anemia). My son has this for pudding after his dinner a couple of times a week, or I take a slice as a snack for when we are out. You can make up a batch of portion sized Xmas puddies at once and then blast then in the microwave and add a scoop of ice cream when needed.
If he likes pizza can you add oily fish as the topping?- not all kids will eat sardines etc but they are very nutricious. Shepherds pie, lasagne, mousakka etc made with decent quality ingredients would all work. If he likes ketchup, let him smother your efforts with it - a bit of sauce so long as it's not too high on the salt content won't do any harm.
He might also enjoy cheese fondue, with soft bread and roasted veggies to dip in the cheese fondue mix. There's something about the act of dipping your veggies into a lovely gooey mess that appeals to most kids. I've suggested this to several friends whose kids won't normally eat veg and they all report great success. There's lots of calcium in the fattening cheese mix and you can make it without adding the usual wine.
Protein type smoothies sound a great way to go, as do milkshakes etc btw. I wish I could do this, but my lad is dairy allergic. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 1:54:52 AM | I was recommended avocado as an excellent food for helping weight gain in a toddler by my peadriatric nutritionist. Apparently it has a very high fat content of the right type of fat for healthy brain development. I also add a splosh of the oil to cooked stirfry. Gaucamole is nice and soft for his teeth.
Chips made with sweet potoato/other root veggies cooked in sunflower oil is on my list too.
Oh and rich fruit cake (like christmas cake but skip all the icing and marzipan) or traditional christmas pudding is another high calorie, nutrient rich thing most kids will eat. I make mine with extra dried apricots cos kids love the taste of dried apricots and they are high in iron (crucial for good brain development, and to help ward off the risk of anemia). My son has this for pudding after his dinner a couple of times a week, or I take a slice as a snack for when we are out. You can make up a batch of portion sized Xmas puddies at once and then blast then in the microwave and add a scoop of ice cream when needed.
If he likes pizza can you add oily fish as the topping?- not all kids will eat sardines etc but they are very nutricious. Shepherds pie, lasagne, mousakka etc made with decent quality ingredients would all work. If he likes ketchup, let him smother your efforts with it - a bit of sauce so long as it's not too high on the salt content won't do any harm.
He might also enjoy cheese fondue, with soft bread and roasted veggies to dip in the cheese fondue mix. There's something about the act of dipping your veggies into a lovely gooey mess that appeals to most kids. I've suggested this to several friends whose kids won't normally eat veg and they all report great success. There's lots of calcium in the fattening cheese mix and you can make it without adding the usual wine.
Protein type smoothies sound a great way to go, as do milkshakes etc btw. I wish I could do this, but my lad is dairy allergic. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 2:03:30 AM | | My mum who fosters my niece has a similar problem whereby she wont eat and she is really thin. My mother took her to see the gp and he said just to let her eat what she wants to eat so now a lot of the time she has breakfast cereal even for her tea. This may seen unreasonable to some that a child is having cereal as a main meal but it works she is gaining weight also try involving your son in the preparation of his food and make it interesting im not saying this would help but it possibly could. I hope iv been of some use to you | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 5:17:40 AM | I agree with the above poster. I know you dont want your son to eat the same thing every day but if he likes it and he eat's it, what is the problem with giving it to him all the time.
I know with my daughter I dont have any problems with her eatting (she has allways been a big eater) but at one point when she was getting her molar's she didnt want to eat and it was going on a week. I took her to her dr to see what I should do and he told me to give her what ever she will eat. I also cant put weight on her, she is 2 and only weigh's 23 lbs. BUT that is because she is over hyper.
My dr told me that as long as she is running around and hyper that she is getting as much food and she needs. Because when they dont have enough food for their little system they will start to slow down.
So maybe just asked him what he would like and make that for him so that you know that he is eatting. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 5:20:31 AM | OP,
I also have the ultra skinny kid.
Get a prescription for Pedia sure (we use Resource Just for Kids) they come in a couple flavours, the only palatable one is vanilla.
Add exta butter, creams, etc to dishes.
If the issue is he cant chew, to soups and stews.
or shepards pies, sloppy joes.
Stop using lean meats.
Just watch YOUR portion or your effort to help him gain will cause you to gain.
Good luck | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 5:56:05 AM | I went through this with my son. Doctor told me the same thing that others have mentioned here...just let him eat what he wants. He will work out of it eventually.
He is not going to waste away. Even if all he will eat is pb & j sandwiches, he is still getting nutrition. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 6:23:23 AM | Oh Faithfey..... I just got SOOOOOOOOO hungry reading your post!! That all sounds *REALLY* yummy! Mmmmmmmmmmmm
My son is also a scrawny little boy, but won't stop eating.
I was going to suggest fruit and veggie plates with a good variety of dips. I haven't met a kid yet that doesn't like dippable foods... even if it is brocoli! Also, any food that you get to put together yourself.... mini pizzas (use English muffins and the kids put their own topings on), tacos, burritos, sandwiches (lay everything on the table and he can make it himself).... stuff like that.
My other suggestion is to get him to do the meal plan with you, and at 6 he can even start helping you with making the food. Many kids are so proud of what they made for dinner that they will eat it even if it isn't something they would normally like. And if he's activily involved in the planning, he will *hopefully* be happier about eating his choices.
Good luck! | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 9:35:03 AM | | Smoothies are great. Milk, ice and bananas mixed in the blender, add any frozen or canned fruits (in juice) you can add wheat germ, protein powder or flax seed for extra nutrition. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 10:00:46 AM | Lots of great advice so far. And smoothies...yumm....great idea.
I like the idea of giving kids more decision making power in their meals - but be careful how you phrase the question. "What do you want for dinner?" will often result in an unhealthy choice but "Which do you prefer [healthy thing A] or [healthy thing B] or [healthy thing C] ?" still empowers the child while also getting nutrition in his belly.
Showing him a cook book with pictures and asking him to pick the ones that look good to him might get him interested in eating more things.
If his choosy nature results in a lack of variety, I would suggest vitamins to make sure he's not lacking in essential nutrients. Most kids find chewable vitamins pretty yummy. Eventually he may get tired of eatting the same things, especially if he sees others eatting and enjoying varied foods.
Also, if he's being picky, make sure you don't give in and give him an unhealthy snack just to get food in his belly - that rewards poor behaviour, trains him away from eating healthy, allows him to manipulate you, and in general results in a picky, manipulative, and malnourished child. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 11:18:11 AM | My 6 year old is the smallest kid in his class, and his Dr. says he needs to grow more.
Ever since he was a baby it has been hell to get him to eat, but I've noticed that a couple times a year, usually right around a growth spurt, he gets voraciously hungry and eats anything you put in front of him and more.
So I don't try to force anything, I just go with the physiological phases of his body.
BUT what I also do, is make sure mealtimes are well balanced, with LOTS and carbs, proteins, and veges. Our two favorite dishes are spaghetti and meatballs and nachoes, which if made right have plenty of everything a growing kiddo needs.
Neither of us ever gets tired of either dish, but there are lots of variations of them too.
Good luck! | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 5:04:00 PM | Shepards pie
meatloaf
chilli
spagetti and meatballs
tuna casserole
chicken casserole
soups
grilled cheese
sloppy joes
lasagna
sausages
scrambled eggs
omlettes
french toast
pancakes
pudding (use whole milk) add in banana slices
soft tacos
fish
mashed potatoes
homemade mac and cheese
homemade mini pizza's (use english muffins for base)
fried rice
Every dish I listed is soft food, and you can add in veggies.
If the protest is veggies... then get out the blender and mix it in.
the kid is 6, he can be taught how to make each of these dishes also......... I know because my 2 yr old can make these with supervision. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 5:34:37 PM | you have such a valid concern. i work with children and i know a few parents who are concerned about healthy eating, weight gain, etc... your doing some great things to support his eating habits. lots of fun foods like smoothies are great in meeting nutrition requirements as well as calorie requirements. in my experience, the more you focus on the issue, the harder it becomes to address, and harder for the child to accept. he will eat, when he is ready. and those meals that your children absolutely love and gobble up, are fantastic. now lets see what we can hide in it to make it have that much more value.
if he is worried about his mouth hurting, he may have experienced some trauma and maybe there are some cell memory issues. the two of you could always go and talk to people that can support him through learning what it is like to eat those foods again. once again try not to make it a big issue. | |
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~Kyn~
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Joined: 2/15/2008
Msg: 14 | |
| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 6:47:29 PM |
Ever since he was a baby it has been hell to get him to eat, but I've noticed that a couple times a year, usually right around a growth spurt, he gets voraciously hungry and eats anything you put in front of him and more
Yup ^^^ keep that in mind OP.
My youngest goes through phases where he is incredibly thin, wont eat much at all for awhile...then becomes ridiculously hungry & puts on a little weight right before a spurt
(Ive noticed with my daughter...it was more incremental)
Make sure you're realistic in your expectations of what he should be because every child is individual and also take into account genetics.
Dont stress yourself out over it. A child can be in the lower end of weight for age ratio and still be perfectly healthy. Think of his overall health ie. is he sleeping well? is he emotionally happy? are his energy levels up to par?...all those things are indicators that he's doing just fine.
Remember...children need full fat up to a certain age. So simply continue to make sure he has access to high carb, high protein diets (eggs are great with toast soldiers)
Serve cream & ice-cream with desserts.
If you're worried about his dietary intake and without having to introduce tablet supplements....try Sustagen with and twice between major meals. Great product
... which is why its so extensively used without the healthcare industry. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/1/2008 10:07:03 PM | My nephew drinks pediasure to give him the nutritional value since he won't eat certain foods. You should look into that, or like a breakfast drink that has all the vitamins and such. Being autistic, my nephew will only eat certain things, the nutritionist recommended cereal 3 times a day, some are suggary but they do offer nutritional value. Pack some cereal into his lunch bag.
Does he like to eat once in awhile or all at one setting? If he likes to eat sporatically then make sure he gets some healthy food mixed in. Just tell him he can't eat the junk food til he eats something healthy.
does he like eating a certain meat? if so double it to have him eat it for lunch and dinner. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/2/2008 2:21:39 AM | A food processor and one of those hand blenders would come in very handy. I know of a little guy with the same type of issue... most of his meats get put in a processor and shredded for him.
I watched Jamie Oliver (I think that's his name) on Oprah last night, he made pizza using a 6 veggie sauce. Tomato, onions, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini and carrots well cooked and then seasoned... and then pureed. If he likes pizza you could do that with a whole wheat crust and cheese or whatever he likes. (you could cut it up bite size)
Whole wheat pasta with a similar type of sauce.
How about banana pops? Cut a banana in half put a popsicle stick in it, dip it in chocolate... sprinkle on some nuts or seeds and then freeze.
My kids like veggies and dip, they also love fruit and dip. I just use their favorite salad dressing for veggies. For fruit I give them yogurt or every once in awhile a pudding dip:
I pack instant pudding, 2 packages dream whip powder and 1 3/4 cups of milk; beat with a hand mixer until very thick. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/2/2008 9:24:32 AM | Wow guys...thanks for all the tips.
I bought a case of pedia-sure for him last night. Gave him some in a milk shake and he loved it.
He and I had a talk when I bought it and I explained to him what it was and why I was buying it for him. I got him to try it before I put it in his milkshake and he calls it his healthy chocolate milk lol.
First thing this morning he asked if he was only allowed to have it once in a while or if he could drink it whenever.
I think I have my work cut out for me. He is such a picky kid. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 3/2/2008 1:39:12 PM | | Carnation also makes a milk shake type thing that my boys both love. Vanilla is pretty yummy. You should have him drink Vitamin D milk, too. Peanut butter and ice cream are both great sources of protein, as well as tuna fish (but if he's a picky eater like mine, tuna is out). I have a 66 lb 12 yr old, I know your pain! Good luck :) | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 8/8/2008 10:35:14 PM | I was looking through the 'my forums' link and found this thread, thought I would update.
I'm not sure what really changed, but I noticed that my little man now has chub!  I was so super excited to see more tummy and less ribs on my little man that I just about cried. We still have a ways to go but I think it's a great start. Now to just ensure I keep him eating healthy so it doesn't turn into yucky chub. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 8/9/2008 12:23:37 AM | That's great! :) Good for your little guy chunking out!
Now say a prayer for mine, I still have a little one.....68 lbs and 12 and a half now. lol Poor dude. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 8/9/2008 12:42:40 AM |
Carnation also makes a milk shake type thing that my boys both love.
It is great and if you use whole milk it is even better.
And my son who used to be grossly underweight used to snack on cereal because it has food value but also extra calories. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 8/9/2008 7:45:54 AM | Are you kidding? How to get a 6 year old to eat? Whose the adult again? And If your letting a 2 yr old make all the stuff you mentioned like you said, then you shouldn't have kids. Over half require a stove to make, and if precooked, 1) A 2yr old should not be in front of the microwave, and 2) Your kid isn't making the food. No matter how proud you are they can push buttons.
If the child is missing it's front teeth, then it still has its back teeth so it can eat any chewable food. Just no food that needs to be torn. And letting any child pick what he/she will or will not eat, is setting a premise for your whole future with it. And just letting them eat whatever they want whenever IE: Cereal for breakfast lunch and diner, is almost as irresponsible as letting a 2yr old use a stove or microwave, whether supervised or not. If they are allowed to do it when supervised, then they'll think they can do it when they're not. If you know anything about children you know that fact, they're two. I can't believe you wrote that at all. Let alone, that your proud your doing it. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 8/9/2008 8:00:54 AM | | As a added note: Most of the recommendations I see here are for exactly what you asked for. Making the child fat, not healthy. Adding a bunch a fat to food, is not the same as keeping your child heathy. Fat doesn't equal health. My cousin had a triple heart bypass at 12 because of that. And he's thin as a rail, always has been. Even with that extra fat in his diet that almost killed him. There's this thing called metabolism, that control how fast stored energy is converted to useful energy. If you want to build him up stronger not fatter, you need starches, not fats. Starches convert to energy better and slow your metabolism. Where as fats are much harder to convert, and also slow your metabolism. | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 8/9/2008 8:04:10 AM | Nye.........
He can cook
He can use a sharp kitchen knife
He even knows how to behave and cook over a open fire. (he is 3 now, we started when he was 2)
Guess what each parent has the right to decide what to and not to teach a child.
Mine is being taught to be self reliant, responsible.
He is supervised when he is cooking.
Just because you dont think it is right doesnt mean I am wrong.
I have worked hard to teach my child to be responsible. At least I know when he is older he can care for himself properly, he will be a wonderful husband to some young lady in years to come.
Given that I have taught him this way, given the choice between a steak with baked potato or a hotdog and french fries he will take the steak dinner........... oh and he insists on fried onions and mushrooms to go with it. Sometimes even garlic toast tooo
Oh yeah he also scrubs toilets and takes out the trash.
Puts his laundry in the washer, dishes in the sink or dishwasher.
and lastly he does vacuum the house | |
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| How to help a kid gain weight?
Posted: 8/9/2008 9:46:42 AM | Nuts - peanuts, almonds, pecans are good for muscle and weight gain (lots of healthy fats in those - and that includes peanut butter). On that note - will he eat a fluffer nutter? Peanut butter and marshmellow fluff sandwich (make it on wheat bread to add health benefits). Oh and since he's missing teeth, you can get them sliced and add them to ice cream or yogurt.
The shakes are good too - pediasure, ensure - all good for weight gain, but make sure you give it to him AFTER a meal or meal attempt.
There will be more food advice given in replies, I am sure... but another thing is not to make it a pwoer struggle. My older son was a peanut as well - now he's 15 and stands 2" taller then me. Some kids are just late bloomers and as a result are skinny/scrawny throughout childhood (my younger son is a horse, so genetics play little in that roll of the die!). | |
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