Many children go through picky-eating phases when they're uninterested in most foods and seem to subsist on almost nothing. While these passing phases are common and developmentally normal, if you've got an underweight child on your hands, you know how worrisome it can be to witness frequent food refusal. The first step is to consult your family's pediatrician, who can tell you whether your child is truly medically underweight and in need of added pounds. He may also want to rule out medical conditions that could cause decreased appetite and low weight. If weight gain is necessary, try these strategies for helping your child gain weight in a healthy manner.
Step 1
Offer calorie-dense but nutritious, foods for meals and snacks, says the Virginia Cooperative Extension. While it may seem logical to let your underweight child eat high-calorie sweets, chips and fast food, children need quality nutrients to grow well and maintain good energy. Foods like peanut-butter sandwiches, dried fruit, pasta, milk, whole-grain crackers, granola bars, yogurt, peas, corn and cheese provide substantial calories while also containing important nutrients for growing bodies.
Step 2
Squeeze "extras" into your child's diet wherever possible to pump up her caloric intake. Add butter to mashed potatoes, make milkshakes with ice cream and whole milk and serve guacamole or full-fat dips with crackers and raw veggies, suggests the Ohio State University College of Nursing.
Step 3
Encourage small, frequent meals rather than fewer, larger ones if your child's appetite is small. This may be an easier way to get him to eat more food overall than expecting him to consume large amounts at one time. Some children are natural "grazers," who prefer to snack on smaller portions at frequent intervals. If this helps him be more willing to ingest calories, go with it.
Step 4
Model positive, open-minded, healthy attitudes toward food and eating. Show your child how rewarding and fun it can be to try new dishes, enjoy meals together and make healthy choices. Be a positive role model for healthy eating.
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