For Picky Eaters or Children with Slow Weight Gain
Some children are unable to eat the amount of food needed for them to grow at an optimal rate. Because it can be difficult for a child who is picky to eat an increased quantity of food, it can be helpful to increase the calorie content of preferred foods. High calorie foods and supplements can be added to the milk, formula and/or food your child drinks and eats.
For children 1 year and older:
Add 4 tablespoons (110 calories) of powdered non-fat dry milk to 8 ounces of whole milk. You can also add 2-4 tablespoons of powdered milk to hot cereal, mashed potatoes, soup, pudding and scrambled eggs.
Melt cheese (80-100 calories) on hamburgers, vegetables, scrambled eggs, soups and casseroles.
Add an extra egg (80 calories) to French toast, pancakes, or add to sauces and mashed potatoes (for children over 15 months).
Add peanut butter (90 calories per tablespoon) or other nut butters to toast, crackers, milk shakes, ice cream and yogurt. Use soy nut butter for children younger than 2-3 years old.
Add Carnation Instant Breakfast (130 calories/pack) or Ovaltine (20 calories/tbsp) to 8 ounces of whole milk or yogurt. Mix it into pudding or add it to a milk shake.
Add margarine, mayonnaise, cream cheese, brown sugar, maple syrup, vegetable oil, sour cream, ½ and ½ or avocadoto your child’s preferred foods.
Some children my benefit from drinking Pediasure (a high calorie lactose free milk, 30 calories/ounce) instead of milk.
Add Polycose powder (23 calories/oz) to milk, water, hot cereal, mashed potatoes, soups and casseroles. Use 1-2 tablespoons/8 ounces or ½ cup per day.
Other tips to help your child gain weight:
Your child should eat 3 regular meals and 2-3 healthy snacks each day.
Encourage your child to eat at a table, without the TV on.
Provide a social, enjoyable atmosphere at meal and snack times.
Limit juice, punch and soda pop (< 2-4 ounces/day). Limit milk to 20-24 oz/day. For children less than 1 year old: Prepare a high calorie formula: 26 ounces of formula 5 ounce bottle Powdered formula 23 oz water 5 oz water 1 cup powder 3 scoops powder Concentrate 1 13 oz can 3 oz concentrate 8 oz water 2 oz water Add Polycose powder to baby food Do not give your baby juice.
