Some children are naturally slender and weigh less than peers. Still, being underweight can be a serious medical concern. A lower weight may be a sign of nutritional, health and emotional complications. Medical professionals use a child's body mass index -- a comparison of height and weight, your child's age and gender -- to determine if she is underweight. Children are well known for being fussy eaters, and gaining additional weight may seem difficult. Still, there are healthy ways to add extra calories to your child's diet to increase weight gain.
Heart-Healthy Fats
Adding simple heart-healthy fats to your child's diet may add the small amount of calories he needs to gain weight, advises BabyCenter.com. Replace butter, margarine, sour cream and other fats with healthy-fat alternatives. Healthy-fats are found in avocado, nuts and cooking oils. Healthy cooking oils include olive, canola and safflower oil. Guacamole or peanut butter create fun dips for chips, vegetables and fruit. Add a slice of avocado to a lunchtime sandwich. Keep a jar of nuts mixed with chocolate bits and raisins on your kitchen counter so children can grab a quick handful as they are on the go. Nuts also contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that may decrease cholesterol. Avoid junk food that adds empty calories and no nutritional content.
Meal Planning
Encouraging older underweight children to participate in meal planning makes meal times more enjoyable. Plan meals and go grocery shopping together to promote eating healthy. Teaching your child to prepare foods can add excitement to meal times. Assign one dish your child is in charge of cooking during meal times. Babycenter.com advises parents to construct family meal times in a relaxed setting to encourage eating. A child who is rushed or not relaxed at mealtime will often eat less. Do not overly focus on weight and eating habits during the meal. Do not plan activities near meal times. Meal times should be scheduled at the same time every day.
Shakes and Smoothies
Create fun shakes and smoothies for a high-calorie and nutrient rich snack. Mix together a variety of fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, bananas and peaches. Yogurt as well as a splash of low-fat milk or fortified orange juice thins out the smoothie so your child can enjoy it through a straw. Additional vegetables such as spinach and cauliflower can be added to the smoothie. Honey adds a natural sweetness to the smoothie. Instant breakfast mixes add additional calories, vitamins and minerals. Serve about two hours before mealtime to ensure your child doesn't skip eating.
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