A child who is underweight can be guided to eat several smaller meals that are nutrient-dense and easier to digest. Tiny snacks can help so that the child's blood sugar level is even throughout the day and night. If a child does not like to eat certain foods, he might be allergic to them or not enjoy the taste. Experiment with a more bland diet and also simple foods. For example, at one meal, keep the number of spices to a minimum: many children do not like competing flavors.
As a child is growing, it is important to meet minimum caloric and nutritional values. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated its popular dietary guidelines known as My Food Pyramid. The best strategy for most children is to introduce a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and limit refined sugar, salt and saturated fats. Overconsumption of these can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Eat a High-Protein Breakfast
Step 1
Set a good example. A child often does model after her parents and other adults around her at home and at school. If you routinely skip breakfast, eat fast food for dinner and slurp sugary sodas--there is a good chance that your child will mimic you. Instead, eat breakfast every day by making it simple. Instant hot oatmeal with fresh fruit, such as banana slices, honey and two-percent milk, soy, almond or hemp seed milk make for a nutritious meal. On weekends, brunch can be homemade or ready-made whole grain pancakes, hot chocolate made with maple syrup or brown rice syrup in place of refined sugar. Half a cup of nonfat Greek style yogurt supplies 13 grams of protein. Eating a high-protein breakfast will give you and your child steady fuel for the day.
Step 2
Make mini meals for your child. Eating as many as four or five small, mini meals makes it easier for your child to digest foods. Some children will not be able to easily digest three large meals a day and balk at having to eat high-fiber vegetables. Instead, prepare smaller meals of 300 to 450 calories that are palatable to your child. For example, prepare half a tuna sandwich and serve with a small bowl of vegetable soup.
The USDA My Food Pyramid for children ages six to 11 years recommends feeding young children whole grains, vegetables, fresh fruits, lean proteins and calcium-rich foods.
Step 3
Keep blood sugar level with nutrient-dense snacks. Eating several small meals will make it easier for your child to digest foods. A finicky eater will also receive more nutrients as she is being fed more times throughout the day, offering more opportunities to receive good nutrition.
Encourage your child to snack freely on fresh fruits. Make your own trail mix by combining small quantities of unsalted, roasted nuts with unsulphured raisins and goji berries .For example, 1/3 cup of walnuts has 200 calories and only 1 gram of saturated fat. Low-salt crackers and low-fat string cheese are also excellent snacks.
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