All toddlers come in varying sizes, and each size can be equally healthy. However, there are cases when some toddlers have fallen off their growth curves, leading many parents to get very worried.
After all, every parent wishes to see their child growing and eating well. So, do not worry if you notice your child not growing properly or getting fluctuating weights. There is so much that the parent can do from their side to overcome this problem.
One effective way is to give your toddlers healthy and scientifically proven food to ensure a child’s growth. But note that there are a lot of factors involved in their growth requiring you to take more precautions.
So, here is a list of food for toddlers to gain weight.
Contents
Banana
Not only are bananas tasty for toddlers, and they’re also healthy for their developing bodies. A medium banana has about 100 calories and 19 grams of fructose. Bananas are rich in potassium as well.
Potassium is an essential vitamin for growing infants because, being an electrolyte, it regulates hydration and allows for efficient delivery of oxygen in their cells. In addition, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, and vitamin B6 are abundant in this fruit.
Bananas aid weight gain in children by enhancing the calorie density of their diet. Bananas include folate, which aids in brain development and memory enhancement. It also protects the brain from injury.
Besides, bananas contain Vitamin A, which contributes to the overall health of the cornea and so boosts vision.
Dry Fruits and Nuts
Dry Fruits and Nuts are packed with amazing nutrients like iron, zinc, fiber, protein, and many more. Toddlers don’t eat that much since their bellies are still very small. Also, their digestive systems are too sensitive as it is not adequately developed yet. If you’re searching for food for toddlers to gain weight, dry fruits and nuts are a great option.
As a result, you must ensure that the food you provide them is both nutritional and safe. For instance, dry fruits are a healthy alternative because they are high in nutrients, but there are a few things to consider before adding them to your baby’s diet.
Dried fruits are high in probiotics, which supply good bacteria, which are, in turn, beneficial for your baby’s digestive tract. Probiotics will aid in the development of your baby’s digestive tract. Moreover, they help in the faster and proper digestion of food.
Nuts and dried fruits are healthy fats that aid your child’s intellectual ability, memory, focus, and brain efficiency. Furthermore, their mental and physical health can improve dramatically.
Owing to these benefits of dry fruits and nuts in toddlers, it serves as a great Christmas meal for pregnant women for their fetus’s development and growth.
Potatoes
Anthocyanins, a pigment having antioxidant qualities, are abundantly found in several potato types. They aid in the treatment of a variety of illnesses. If you are trying to understand how to help toddler gain weight, potatoes should be added to their diet.
Potatoes can aid in developing your baby’s gastrointestinal health if they are not fried. Potatoes promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
Potatoes include a lot of alkaline sugars, which keep acid levels in your baby’s body low. Thus, they help keep the acidity of the stomach at bay.
Cut the potatoes into smaller pieces to make it easier for the baby’s digestive system to absorb them. You can start feeding them the potatoes by the time they reach the age of 6 months.
However, do not forget that the potatoes need to be boiled and mashed properly. By the time the toddlers reach the age of 9 months, the fed potatoes can be grilled, fried, and roasted.
Because of their soft and mushy texture, well-cooked potatoes are simple to swallow. Furthermore, its neutral flavor makes it a perfect choice for blending with various dishes, including cereals, pulses, meat, and leafy vegetables.
Cheese
Cheese is delicious and versatile, and it may be used in a variety of dishes. It’ll be a hit with your infant, and you won’t have to worry about the health benefits because it’s potent! If you are looking for food for toddlers to gain weight, this is a good option to start.
Calcium helps develop healthy teeth and bones, and cheese is high in it. In addition, cheese is enriched with protein and minerals like Vitamin D, which are essential for body development.
Cheese is high in calories. Thus, it will provide your kid with the energy he needs to do the activities for the whole day. In addition, when a child devotes their energy to holistic pursuits, they are more likely to achieve total development.
However, many parents remain reluctant to give dairy-based products like cheese to their children. There can be issues of diarrhea and allergies in the toddlers.
So, to be on the safe side and yet not miss out on the health benefits, you can start feeding cheese after they reach the age of 6 months. You can increase the amount with time.
Meat and Proteins
Meat and proteins are among the best high calorie foods for toddlers. By feeding them food rich in proteins and iron, they can replenish the iron levels in their body. Thus, meat is also a great food choice for women in their pregnancy. It increases the child’s bodyweight inside their womb, facilitating enhanced growth.
However, ensure that the baby is fed only fully cooked meat. If the meat is partially cooked like medium and rare, it could end up causing health complications.
When we say that meat is healthy for babies, it does not include hot dogs, salami, and bacon. These meat-based products do not have much meat content and are packed with preservatives, making them unhealthy for babies.
Final Thoughts
Toddlers need a lot of healthy and nutritious food to grow properly. But sometimes, things may not go the way parents want, and the growth cycle of babies gets affected badly.
This is exactly where they need to step in and make crucial changes in their parenting plans. One area is food because it can have amazing effects to rejuvenate their growth patterns. Lucky for parents since there is a variety of food for toddlers to gain weight.