If your child is thin or has a slight build, it doesn’t mean they are underweight. But if so, she’ll need her help and guidance so he can achieve a healthy weight. It is ideal to talk to your child about her goal and let her know that she is going to need her cooperation.
It’s always best to consult with a medical professional, but here are some ways you can try to get your child to gain weight safely.
Don’t skip meals
If you have a weight goal that you want your child to reach, every meal and every snack is crucial to reaching that goal. Do not skip breakfast, lunch or dinner plus the 2 snack times (you can even add a light one before bed!). Once your body gets used to the amount of food you eat each day, consider serving your child larger-than-usual portions. You can offer an extra pancake for breakfast, two sandwiches for lunch instead of one, or a larger serving of dessert for dinner. This way, your appetite will increase over time, making it easier for you to reach and maintain your goal weight.
Introduce high-calorie, high-fat foods into your diet.
When we say high-fat foods, we mean foods with a good amount of healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, peanut butter, and nuts. This way you know that your child is gaining weight through healthy and nutritious food. It’s also great to get in the habit of checking food labels when grocery shopping to help you select foods that are high in calories. For example, Cheerios only has 100 calories per cup compared to granola which has 500 calories per cup. By knowing this information, you will be able to substitute high-calorie foods for low-calorie foods to offer your child.
Make him drink a lot of juice and milk.
When you’re thirsty, quench your thirst with juice instead of water. Opt for liquids that are high in calories. Fruit juices and low-fat milk are good options. But of course, water is still the most important fluid there is – make sure you’re also well hydrated with water throughout the day and especially during meals.
Follow these simple and effective tips to help your underweight child gain weight, but make sure you’ve consulted your doctor first.
