Your toddler's size may be cause for concern -- if she's underweight for her age, it may affect her growth and development. If your child's pediatrician recommends that your child gain weight, it may be tricky to get your child to eat more than she already does. Even if your toddler is a picky eater, you can still help her gain weight to become strong and healthy. Talk to your child's doctor before making changes in her diet.
Meat and Protein
Your toddler needs approximately 2 to 4 ounces of meat and other protein-rich foods, like beans and nuts, per day. Underweight children may need more than 4 ounces per day, depending on your pediatrician's recommendation. Although eating fried foods and cheeseburgers will probably help your toddler to gain weight, stick with nutritious protein sources instead. Feed your toddler scrambled eggs, cooked beans and bite-sized pieces of chicken or fish to add more protein and healthy fats to her diet.
Dairy Products
Give your child milk or water to drink with meals instead of juice or soda. Your child may be filling up on sugary drinks, which will make him less hungry during meals. Dairy products are high in fat and protein that will help your toddler gain weight. Sprinkle foods with cheese or yogurt to add more calories and fat to a nutritious meal. Your doctor may also recommend adding extra butter or milk to meals that do not usually require it, like pasta or hot cereal, to add more calories.
Grains
Toddlers need three to five ounces of grains every day -- at least half of the grains your toddler eats should be whole grains, like oatmeal, bran or whole-wheat bread. Instead of serving regular toast, dip whole-grain bread in scrambled eggs and cook it in a frying pan until it's brown on both sides. The egg will add more protein and fat to the meal. Cut the French toast into bite-sized pieces and serve with fruit.
Fruits and Veggies
Although fruits and vegetables are not high in fat or calories, they are still a crucial part of your toddler's diet. Toddlers should eat between 1 and 1 1/2 cups of both fruit and vegetables every day. Add more calories to fruits and veggies by spreading them with peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and other high-calorie dips and spreads. If your child turns her nose up at fruit and veggies, chop them up and add them to foods she already likes. Add tomatoes and spinach to macaroni and cheese, or bell peppers and carrots to spaghetti sauce.
Member Comments