Underweight child

 Diet for Underweight Kids

The pediatrician will be the best person to decide whether your child is underweight or just experiencing a growth spurt. Only if the child’s BMI falls below the 5th percentile, is he/she considered to be ‘underweight’ and will require a diet for underweight children.

The key to planning a diet for underweight children is to include ‘nutrient dense’ foods at frequent intervals, throughout the day. Expecting the child to eat large portions of food at a time is unreasonable and will only make the child detest meal times. Planning a wholesome diet along with ‘nutrient dense’ foods will ensure that the child does not develop any deficiency diseases.

Diet for Underweight Kids
Option Breakfast Mid Morning Lunch Evening Dinner
1 Quick Rava dhoklas (with veggies), Strawberries Potato tikki sandwich Mung dal and Carrot pulav, Flavoured yogurt Banana Milkshake, Paneer Tikkis Besan Radish Parathas, Mint Raita
2 Soy Upma, Raspberries Paneer Veggie Pasta Cauliflower Rajmah Parathas, Yogurt Dry fruit milkshake, Alu Chaat Veg & Lentil Pulav, Khadi
3 Power Packed Cereal, Bananas* Paneer rolls Chicken Biryani, Yogurt Mixed fruit Smoothie, Chickpea tikkis Veg green pea parathas, Tomato raitha
4 Power poha, Plum* Tricolour Pasta* Rainbow Parathas, Yogurt Banana Milkshake, Corn and Cheese Toast Whole Wheat Rotis, Channa Masala, Beans Curry
5 Multi Grain Pancakes, Blueberry Sauce, Strawberries String Cheese Grilled Walnut Cornmeal Chicken, Papaya pudding Apple Shake, Date and Nut pie Khao phat (Thai fried rice), Sweet and sour vegetables
Please Note:
*Power packed Cereal is made up of rolled oats, dry fruits & cornflakes.
*Power poha is made up poha, kabuli channa & rajma.
*Pessaratu is made up of moong dal & rice flour.
*Tricolour pasta is made up of pasta, onions, tomatoes & capsicum.
*Healthy rainbow paranthas are made up of wheat flour, rice flour, sprouted moong & vegetables.
*Wholesome kichidi is made up of rice, moong dal, bottle gourd & carrot
*Quesadillas are made up of maize flour, paneer & vegetables.

Feeding high fat and high sugar foods to an underweight child is not the best way to gain pounds. Healthy options given in these meals will give adequate nutrition and will help your child to increase weight gradually, if your child is physically fit.

Home Remedy For Gaining Weight

  • The most effective and simple remedy to gain weight is to consume banana milk shake. It is a fast way to gain weight.
  • Another effective way would be to have banana thrice a day. This should be followed with curd or milk.
  • Muskmelon is beneficial in treating underweight problem. Have muskmelon three times a day as it helps in gaining weight.
  • Another effective way to cure underweight problem would be to have fruit diet with milk. While fruits nourish the body with sugar, milk provides the proteins.
  • An effective way to gain weight would be consume a glass of hot milk with a tablespoon of honey.
  • Take a cup of milk and put some almonds, date palm and anjeer in it. Boil this milk and have it when warm. This is helpful in treating underweight problem.
  • Mangoes are useful in gaining weight. Have a mango followed by a glass of milk. The other way would be to have a glass of mango milk shake every day for a month.
  • Raisins are beneficial in solving underweight problems. Have 30 grams of raisins every day for about a month. This would surely cure underweight problems.
  • Take 3-4 dry figs and immerse them in water. Keep them overnight. Have this twice a day to get cured of underweight problem.
  • Combine equal amounts of pomegranate seed powder, white muesli powder and Indian ginseng root powder. Intake this mixture, twice a day for about a month, along with a glass of water or milk. Not only does it helps gain weight, but also tones up the body.
  • Intake 100 to 150 grams of bran with fruits. The best deal would be to take it with papaya. It works as an excellent appetizer improving digestion and reducing constipation.
  • Increase in the intake of fatty foods such as flour, rice honey, raisins, figs, dates, butter, germinated wheat, etc.