This information is suitable for children over 1 year.
Childhood is a time for growth and development, it is important your child gets a healthy balanced diet. Some children may need extra nutrition in order to grow and gain weight adequately, especially if they have been ill. The simplest way to achieve this is to pack as much energy and protein into their diet, through food, as possible.
Try these 4 simple steps:
Step 1 - Regular Meals.
Children should have 3 small meals a day with nutritious snacks and/or milky drinks in between.
Offer 2 courses ,a savoury and pudding, at each mealtime; this gives two chances for your child to eat extra calories. Start with small portions and increase if your child wants more.
Step 2 - Nutritious Food
Aim for 600mls (1 pint) full fat cows’ milk as the main drink per day. Milk is a great source of protein, calories, vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. To add even more nutrients fortify it with skimmed milk powder (available from most supermarkets). Use fortified milk, in place of regular milk, in drinks, milkshakes, on cereals, in puddings or to make up packets of soup.
Food fortification means adding extra protein and calories to meals, snacks and drinks without increasing the amount. This can be helpful for children who have a poor appetite or eat smaller portions.
You can fortify meals by:
Adding natural or greek yoghurt, lentils or beans to sauces and casseroles.
Stir grated cheese into sauces, pasta, salads, omelettes and scrambled eggs.
Sprinkle grated cheese over potatoes, vegetables, beef burgers, baked beans, spaghetti, etc.
Try to cook meat and poultry with extra fat (vegetable, olive or sunflower oil) by frying or roasting.
Fry fish rather than poaching or steaming. Choose fish in batter, breadcrumbs or creamy sauces. Try tinned fish such as tuna or sardines in oil rather than brine.
Add extra butter, spread, cream or cheese to mashed potatoes, offer chips/roast potatoes too.
Use butter or spread liberally on bread, potatoes and vegetables.
Stir in 1 teaspoon of oil (vegetable, olive or sunflower) or butter/spread to rice, pasta or potatoes.
Step 3 – Frequent High Energy Snacks
Offer a variety of 2 - 3 small high calorie nutritious snacks in between meals over the day. Make sure your child does not fill up on the snacks and still has their main meals, as meals are more balanced. Try offering savoury, sugar- free snacks more often to protect your children’s teeth from decay.
Savoury Snack Ideas
Cheese cubes/cheese straws
Breadsticks/vegetable sticks/tortillas with
hummus, creamy dip or guacamole
Cheese on toast/ boiled egg
Mini sandwiches peanut butter ham/egg
Crisps/nuts
Plain crackers with cheese spread
Cheese biscuits
Step 4 – Nourishing Drinks
Fortifying milk is an inexpensive and easy way to boost calorie intake, use it in place of regular milk (see step 2) in milk shakes and warm drinks like hot chocolate. Try adding in yogurt , ice cream or fruit and whizzing in a blender or smoothie maker to provide variety.
Why not make the drinks fun with an umbrella, sprinkles, squirty cream or special glass/beaker.
Offer these drinks in-between meals but avoid them taking the place of meals or food.
Don’t give immediately before a meal (30 minutes); they can fill up small tummies.
These drinks are high in sugar and regular teeth cleaning is recommended.
Top Meal Tips:
Remove distractions like the TV and toys.
Praise all food that is eaten.
Eat together.
Vitamins: All children between 1—5 years should have a vitamin supplement A—D. Ask your pharmacist for advice or your clinic for Healthy Start Vitamins. Older children with poor growth may also benefit from a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
If your child continues to have poor growth or weight gain
please contact your GP.