Nutrition for underweight children

Is your child underweight? Do they fuss to eat healthy food? Here's how you can get him to eat more and eat healthy, without having to force them. Read to know the causes and the solution for underweight issues.


Causes for under nutrition in children
• Pediatrics suggest not to give their children too much of juice as it often contain more sugar and less vitamins than fresh, canned, or frozen fruits. After a period off time juice replaces healthy diet drink like milk and other important food groups .
• Children who are put under low fat diet under the age of 2 with the fear of growing obese also become skinny. Remember fat is not a negative product, it is very important for storing energy, protecting or insulating the body and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. So make sure to give your child adequate fat products. However know your limits.
• Children who skip breakfast eat less calories. Therefore, prepare ready to eat breakfast like yogurt, fruit bars and milk.
• Fussy eaters
• Weight is influenced by two things, the food we eat and the activity we do. If your child is more active than the food he/she eats, then the child will surely be termed as a underweight within a year. So make sure to give ,more energizing foods like carbohydrates for an over active kid.
Fussy child diet
Most children are fussy eaters. Eating comes last on their list of priorities. Here are few methods that you can follow to help them to regain their eating habits.
• If your children love to eat snacks then give them six small meals than three big meals which they detest. Energizing snacks can contain, a white flour muffin with banana , white bread cases filled with creamed corn and melted cheese, baked potato with broccoli and cheese, frozen yogurt, milky milo, mini pizzas...etc
• The healthiest food is not always the tastiest. If you want your child to eat bitter gourd, serve it as an accompaniment with a dish he/she simply loves.
• Expose your child to various cuisines that includes healthy vegetables. Prepare the one which he loves to eat often.
• Eating food can be made a fun experience. Be creative when preparing food. Involve your kids while making the menu for the dinner or lunch. Cook with them, and credit it as "made by my darling daughter". These few steps help them to gulp little bit extra.
Food guide for underweight
• Grains : provide carbohydrates, the primary source of energy at least 6-11 servings per day.
• Fruit and vegetables : provide vitamins and minerals a good source of fiber which helps reduce cholesterol for healthy skin, hair and vision.
• Milk : Provide calcium for bone growth and maintenance. Serve1 cup of milk or 2 ounces of cheese for 2-3 times a day.
• Fat : Give them meat and if you are a strict vegetarian give your child 1 egg or tbs of peanut butter. These food product provides protein for building muscle and other important functions in the body.
• Do not restrict fat food and sweets as they provide additional calories.
To end with,childhood is a time when eating behavior changes. Provide your child the best food to grow healthy and wise. Remember, being underweight is not the same as being thin or slender. Some children have a naturally slight built and maintain it with a well-balanced diet and physical activity. This is normal and healthy. However, underweight may be a sign of dietary, health, or emotional problems. So, tackle it with fun diet and help your kid grow well.