For every parent, the well-being of their child is the most important thing. One aspect they focus on the most is providing their little ones with a healthy and nutritious diet that will help them grow and be strong.
However, kids can be notoriously picky eaters and do not want to consume foods that have an unusual texture or smell and taste funny. If parents don’t take proper measures to fix this, there is a great chance that their children won’t be receiving the right amount of nutrients they need. This can lead to kids becoming underweight which will certainly affect their growth, development and overall well-being.
Fortunately, there are many ways parents can go about it and help their little ones gain weight properly. This article elaborates on five balanced diet tips you can rely on to help your kid put on a few pounds in a healthy way.
Make Nutritious Weight Gaining Shakes
If you are dealing with a fussy eater, then making nutritious shakes is an effective way to help your child receive the right amount of nutrients. Such weight gaining shakes for kids can include foods from the five main food groups such as protein, carbs, fruits, veggies and dairy products, all of which contain numerous vitamins and minerals that are essential for growth and development.
The shakes will be in the form of a liquid which will make consumption go down easier than solid foods. This will make the weight-gaining process go a lot quicker, which is what your kid may need.
Stick To The Five-Meal Per Day Plan
The amount of calories your kid needs a day mainly depends on its age, gender and health status. These calories are usually spread out in five meals per day, which are breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks in between.
For example, for breakfast, opt for something simple, but nourishing enough such as peanut butter banana oatmeal.
For lunch, you need a richer meal that will include 2-3 fruits or vegetables, protein, healthy fats and complex carbs.
For dinner, go for a balanced meal that will include proteins, carbs, fruits and veggies.
For snacks, a combination of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds is an excellent choice.
Skip Unhealthy Choices
One misconception parents often have about kids gaining weight is that they have to indulge in fast food and sweets such as burgers, cakes, sodas and cookies.
However, this is completely wrong because such foods do not provide the sufficient amount of nutrients children need to stay healthy and strong. Although they are calorie-rich foods, they still lack the vitamins and minerals that are essential for proper growth and development.
Besides, consuming them frequently can lead to the occurrence of severe medical conditions that can have a bad impact on your child’s health later on.
Watch What Your Child Drinks
Following healthy hydration can also help your child gain weight properly. Instead of opting for high-calorie sugary drinks, you should stick to water, smoothies and milk to help you along the way.
For example, water can be consumed in many ways in case your child doesn’t like drinking it plain. You can infuse it with fruits, vegetables and herbs to make it more tasty, fresh and nutritious. Just remember not to give it to your kid before a meal because it will make their tummy full.
Milk is another useful source of nutrients that can help your kid gain weight while promoting healthy bones and teeth.
Make Eating Fun
Getting your child to eat or even try a new food can be an uphill struggle. That’s why you should look for different methods that will help get your toddler more interested in food. One effective way to do this is to make eating fun.
For example, you can start by asking your kids to help you in the meal planning process. Let them choose one food from each food group and ask them to serve it however they want.
If you want to keep things interesting, look for some kid-friendly food-eating devices your child can use to cut foods.
Final thoughts
In order to grow and mature, kids need to gain a bit of weight. That’s why parents should do their best to provide them with a well-balanced diet filled with numerous nutrients that are essential for overall health. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of foods that can help you in the process and which can be prepared in different ways so they will be more appealing for your little ones.
In case you need help, use our post as a guide to help you find the best method for promoting weight in your child.
