Easy Ways For Kids To Gain Weight

Not all underweight children need to gain weight. The growth rates of children vary, making it normal for some children to have a small build throughout most of their childhood. Your child's doctor can determine if your child needs to gain weight or if a medical condition plays a role in your child's failure to gain weight.

Mealtime Planning

Children enjoy attention and having the opportunity to make adult-like decisions. Allow your child to help plan high-calorie meals to aid him in gaining weight. Cook together, or allow him to choose food at the store. Whenever possible, make mealtime a family affair where you can interact with your child, making meal time enjoyable to encourage him to stay at the table longer and eat more.

Increase Hunger at Mealtime

Kids who feel hungry at a meal tend to consume more calories. Increase your child's hunger at mealtime by limiting pre-meal snacking and drinking. When your child fills up on milk, juice or snack food prior to a meal, she does not feel hungry enough to eat and may refuse anything but her most favorite food. Limit all eating or snacking within 30 minutes of a meal. If your child complains of hunger or thirst, give her a very small calorie-dense snack or half a child-sized glass of water. Small calorie-dense snacks include one to two peanut butter crackers, a tablespoon of nuts or a slice of full-fat cheese. Playing actively throughout the day may also increase your child's hunger, but ensure your child rests for at least 15 minute prior to eating, according to the Virginia State University Cooperative Extension.

Offer Food More Often

If your child refuses to consume enough calories during regular meal times, offer more than three meals a day. Try providing your child with five or six small meals instead. Even though kids love to eat sweets and unhealthy fats found in cakes and chips, these foods can inhibit your child's development by preventing him from eating foods full of the nutrients needed for bone and muscle growth. Instead of unhealthy food, offer your child high-calorie foods from the guidelines on the MyPyramid website. Good dairy choices include whole milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, creamed soups and pudding. Try offering peas, corn, French fries, sweet potatoes or broccoli for vegetables. High-calorie fruits include dried fruits and fruits canned in syrup. Consider offering grains in the form of granola bars, pancakes, French toast, cornbread, bagels or whole grain bread.

Supplement Drinks

Some kids refuse to eat new types of foods, preventing you from increasing the number of calories she consumes. In cases like this, your child's doctor may recommend the use of high-calorie supplement drinks. Supplement drinks provide your child with the vitamins and minerals she fails to consume through her diet. However, do not to use these supplements to replace regular meals or snacks, because they do not provide all the nutrients your child needs.