Sometimes children who are ill or undergoing chemotherapy need a high-calorie diet to help keep their weight stable. Keeping a child's weight stable and maintaining proper nutrition is the key to a healthy child. Proper nutrition helps a child heal properly and better tolerate medical treatment. There are many different ways to add a few extra calories to your child's diet that may not even be noticed by your child.
Breakfast
Milk and milk products are a great way to help raise calories at the beginning of the day. If your child is not a big eater in the morning, providing your child with a Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast (which can provide about 130 calories). Making it with half and half or even ice cream can increase the caloric intake up to 500 calories. Providing fruit juice drinks such as orange juice or grape juice can also add extra calories. In addition, for the child that likes a warm breakfast making a bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon can provide about 170 to 200 calories in a single serving. If you have a child that prefers eggs or toast, you can use an English muffin topped with eggs and cheese to get about 150 calories and up depending on the amount eaten.
Lunch
According to Lucille Packard Children's Hospital a peanut butter and jelly sandwich can add about 500 calories to your child's diet. This is not only tasty but also has protein for proper nutrition. Including a glass of whole milk or chocolate milk can even raise the calories even more. Another option is to use cheese to make a grilled cheese sandwich or even cheese bread made on Italian bread, this can typically add about 200 or more extra calories. Handmade pizza with cheese and pepperoni can add about 200 to 300 calories a slice to your child's diet and this is a great way to sneak in some vegetables as well. Again, adding fruit juice as a drink can add a few extra calories to the meal.
Dinner
French fries are something most children like any time of the day. However, according to Calorieking.com taking some French fries and topping them with chili and cheese can make them be about 300 or more calories. Add a cheeseburger to the meal can add an additional 500 to 1,000 calories. For a more home-cooked meal, try breaded, baked chicken stuffed with cheese and broccoli which can add about 250 calories and up. Serve this with a loaded baked potato made with butter, cheese, bacon and sour cream for a meal that will offer about 600 or more calories. In addition, for another high calorie but fun meal, try nacho chips and cheese with or without jalapenos which can add about 500 or more calories.
Snacks
There are some really great snacks that you can prepare for a child that needs a higher-caloric intake. According to Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, serving a fruit smoothie can provide about 390 calories. A granola bar with a cup of yogurt can offer up to 490 calories as a snack. Trail mix is also another high calorie snack that can offer about 400 or more calories in a single serving. For a snack with a little more fun try a milk shake with added whip cream and a cherry for about 700 calories and up. Mixing in a few extras such as Ensure or Pediasure can add another 200 to 300 calories to this mix.
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