10 Healthy Weight Gain Foods for Babies & Kids

While planning food for babies and toddlers, parents will need to keep the nutritional requirement of the child in mind. Children must consume a well-balanced diet that will provide substantial and healthy calories. Parents also need to make meal time interesting so that the children look forward to it and don’t become fussy eaters.

It is recommended that the baby is exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months after birth. This is the nutritious, easily digested, perfectly balanced and healthy super food that builds immunity for life. It also fosters the bond between mother and child. If your baby is active, looks healthy, is free of allergies, passes 4-6 stools a day and wets 6-8 diapers, it indicates he is getting enough breast milk. You can be assured that the baby’s growth is healthy.

After 6 months of age, you can introduce liquids and semi solid food to babies’ diet along with breast milk. Here is what you can include in a healthy diet for toddlers:

1. BANANAS

This super-fruit is rich in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and carbohydrates. It is also loaded with calories and is the perfect source of weight gain in babies.

Mash bananas or serve them in a smoothie or shake. Steamed Kerala bananas can be mashed and fed to babies for great results. It can be a part of your baby bag while travelling and makes a convenient snack.

2. SWEET POTATOES

Sweet potatoes are easy to boil and mash. They are tasty, nutritious, easy to digest, and healthy. They are also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper, phosphorus, potassium, and manganese – the best vitamins for kids to gain weight.

Sweet potatoes are also loaded with dietary fibre. You can make tasty purees and soups from this vegetable.

3. PULSES

Pulses are full of nutrients. They are rich in proteins, magnesium, calcium, iron, fibre and potassium. After 6 months, you can introduce dals in the form of soup or daal paani, which is one of the most popular weight gain drinks for children.

You can also feed well-mashed khichadi. Moong daal is easily digested and is a good option for babies. Cook pulses with rice and/or vegetables for a nutritious and fibre rich meal.

Around 7-9 months is the appropriate time to introduce your baby to some more new flavours and textures. Start feeding semi-solids, chunky and mashed food. You can start giving home-made porridge or cereals available as a ready mix in the market. For homemade cereals, you can wash daals, millets, pulses, rice and sun-dry them, mildly roast the same and grind it in the mixer. Prepare multiple powders and store in labelled bottles for quick meal options if you are preparing food for underweight child. Use as and when required.

4. RAGI

Also known as finger millet or ‘Nachani‘, this super food is perfect for weight gain and development of the baby. It is rich in dietary fibre, calcium, iron, proteins, and various other vitamins and minerals.

It is easily digested as well and can be introduced to babies in the form of idli, dosa, porridge, malt or cereals and to toddlers in cakes, cookies and pudding.

5. GHEE

Ghee or clarified butter has high nutritional value. Introduce it around the 8th month of your baby’s life. A few drops of ghee can be added to porridge or sprinkled on top of mashed khichdi or daal soup.

Home-made ghee from milk or malai/cream is the best option for you if you are worried about adulteration. It is a great food to increase healthy weight in babies. Remember to be moderate in the usage of ghee as consuming it in excess can upset the baby’s tummy.

When your child reaches the age of 8-10 months, you can start including the following foods in their diet to promote weight gain:

6. DAIRY

It is now appropriate to add dairy products like yogurt to your child’s diet. Yogurt provides fat and nutritious calories for healthy weight gain in the baby.

Yogurt also improves digestion, increases immunity and helps with gastric troubles. It can be made interesting by making yogurt smoothies or shakes for kids to gain weight, adding chunks of fruits to it.

Packed milk, butter, cheese, etc., should be introduced after 12 months of age or after taking the paediatrician’s opinion. Butter and cheese make food interesting for toddlers and add to the fat content required for healthy weight gain. Add a dollop of butter or a slice of cheese to make food interesting for kids.

Cow’s milk should be introduced to kids after 1 year of age. Ensure to include at least 2 glasses of milk a day in your kid’s diet till they reach their teens. Milk can be made interesting by adding dry fruits or health mixes available in various flavours in the market. Overeating or undereating of dairy products must be taken in to account, as too much or too less can cause trouble. In case your child has lactose intolerance, or suffers from gastric problems after consuming dairy products, please consult the paediatrician.

7. EGGS

This powerhouse of protein should be introduced to kids only after they complete 12 months. Eggs are rich in saturated fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals; you can serve them as an omelette, scrambled, boiled, egg-rice or French toast.

Care should be taken to check for allergies and procure good quality, disease-free farm eggs to avoid health issues. Families who prefer non-vegetarian food can introduce meat or fish after consultation with the paediatrician.

8. DRY FRUITS AND SEEDS

Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, apricots, cashews, raisins and seeds like sesame, pumpkin, flax, etc. provide the best vitamins for kids to gain weight. They can be added to food in many interesting ways. Powder them and add to milk or sprinkle on top of cereals, or simply give them a handful of nuts and seeds to eat.

Peanut butter or almond milk are tasty options to add health and weight. You can make energy bars or add them to flour while making rotis or parathas. Dates syrup added to milk will make it an iron rich food option for kids. It is often used as a weight gain drink.

9. AVOCADOS

They are a rich source of vitamin B6, E, C, K, folate copper, dietary fibre, pantothenic acid, and also have a high percentage of fat. Served as dips or spreads, avocados are an irresistible addition to any meal. They can be added to a milk shake too!

10. TROPICAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Rich in natural sugars, essential vitamins, and immunity-building minerals, tropical fruits and vegetables are a must in every child’s diet chart. These include papaya, mangoes and pineapples.

Toss steamed vegetables in some butter or put together a colourful fruit salad for your child to tuck into at snack-time.

Source: Firstcry Parenting