Smoothies To Help Toddler Gain Weight

Can Toddlers Have Smoothies

Yes! Toddlers and kids can definitely have smoothies made with any fresh or frozen ingredients you have. I always start first-time smoothie drinkers off with a sweet pink or blueberry smoothie, but any of the recipes below are fair game. Head over to this post if you are looking for smoothies for kiddos 1 year and younger.

How Can I Tell If My Child Is Underweight

As a parent, it can be difficult to tell if your child is underweight.

If you already know your child’s height and weight, and want to know if they’re a healthy weight for their age, height and sex, you can check using our BMI healthy weight calculator.

If your child is in reception , they may have already been weighed and their height measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme.

In some areas you may be sent the results for your child. In other areas you will have to contact your local authority to find out your child’s measurements.

If results show that your child is underweight, talk to a GP, who can help to find the possible causes.

If there is a problem with your child’s diet, the GP can provide advice that will help your child get to a healthy weight, or refer them to a dietitian.

Delicious Milkshake Recipes For Weight Gain In Kids

Some toddlers just refuse to gain weight. No, there isn’t any problem if your child is totally active and is lean, but sometimes mothers tend to worry that the child is not gaining as much weight as he/she should be according to their age. When children don’t eat enough calories, they fail to thrive energetically and physically. But there are some easy, delicious yet healthy ways to ensure that children are getting all the calories they need with the help of these easy milkshake recipes for weight gain in kids.Milk and dairy products are effective in maintaining a healthy weight in children not to forget the calcium content provided by them. When milk is mixed with other ingredients like fruits and vegetables it becomes a milkshake or a smoothie which children can enjoy instead of having the plain old milk with some chocolate or malt drink mixed in it. Milkshakes are a must-have for kids because they are wholesome and full of nutrients. Almost all kids love milkshakes and there is hardly any child fussing over a glass of beautifully coloured, cold milkshake. You can add different fruits to the milk to pamper your kids taste buds in a healthy way.Also read: 9 Homemade Protein Drinks For Kids

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Food Intolerance In Children

If you think your child may have a food intolerance or a food allergy, it is important to talk to a doctor to find out what is causing their symptoms.

If your child is unable to eat any lactose , for example, the doctor may refer them to a dietitian for tailored nutritional advice.

They can help you ensure that your child gets the right amount of nutrients in their diet for healthy growth and development.

What Is Faltering Growth

Faltering growth is diagnosed by healthcare professionals using strict criteria

• A fall across 1 or more weight centiles if the birthweight was below the 9th centile

• A fall across 2 or more weight centiles if birthweight was between the 9th-91st centile

• A fall across 3 or more weight centiles if birthweight was above the 91st centile

• When current weight is below the 2nd centile, regardless of birthweight

Healthcare professionals will also calculate weight to height ratios to assess if their current weight is healthy for your child.

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Fruit And Seed Smoothie

You can make this smoothie with

• 1 Apple
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds
• 200 ml Water

Cut Apple and Banana into small pieces. In the meantime, soak Almonds and Chia Seeds in water for 10-15 minutes. Put these into your ninja blender to make a wow smoothie for your kids. Because of its high fiber content, it is one of the great smoothies for toddlers with constipation

What Happens If Faltering Growth Is Diagnosed

As faltering growth can be an indicator of underlying health conditions or developmental concerns, your GP will refer you to a Paediatrician for further investigations.

The GP or Paediatrician should also refer you to see a Paediatric Registered Dietitian for your child to have their diet and eating routine assessed .

If this doesnt happen, please ask for a referral. You can book in with us here and be safe in the knowledge you are getting a paediatric specialist dietitian.

If faltering growth is caused by poor nutritional intake, your child can be at risk of malnutrition.

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Milk And Dairy Foods And Plant Based Alternatives

Children need 3 portions of dairy foods per day. Make sure these are full fat or whole milk versions in order to ensure they get enough energy, protein, calcium and iodine.

Plant milks unfortunately are very low in nutritional value, they are the nutritional equivalent of skimmed milk in most cases and so are best avoided if your child is struggling to gain weight.

If they have a dairy allergy, your dietitian will be able to prescribe a high energy milk alternative instead.

• Try jersey milk as it contains more energy than whole milk and avoid semi skimmed and skimmed milk .

• Cheese is an amazing energy booster and can be added to lots of foods from scrambled eggs to pasta dishes, to vegetables, dont be afraid to use it. The harder the cheese the higher the energy content too so cheddar for example contains more energy than brie.

• Good cheese based dishes include: pizza, macaroni cheese, burgers topped with cheese , cheese on toast or cheese and mayonnaise sandwiches, cheese quiches, jacket potato with butter and cheese.

• Choose whole milk yoghurt, fromage frais, rice puddings and chocolate desserts. You can use these as in between meal snacks too as well as deserts.

• Make milkshakes with extra cream or ice cream.

• Make smoothies with yoghurt, milk and a nut-butter and freeze into ice lolly moulds.

Its The Perfect Amount Of Smoothie

The base recipe makes about 6-8 oz of smoothie based on how big your banana or avocado is. You may need to thin it with water or more milk for a younger child to be able to drink it through a straw. Avoid using straw cups that have a valve in them. Simple straw cups like the Take nToss straw cups or a good old fashioned straw will do the trick.

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Peanut Butter And Banana Smoothie

There can be nothing better than a smoothie to replenish your body after a strenuous workout and this seems so true with this delicious blend of peanut butter and banana. The high in protein hunger curbing smoothie makes for an excellent breakfast, lunch or your post workout freshener.

Allow Eating Whenever Hunger Hits

Sure, for most of us, eating shouldnt be an all-day free-for-all. For kids who struggle to put on weight, however, allowing food at any time of day can be a perfectly acceptable approach.

Consider getting away from the pre-set meal and snack times you think of as normal or right and simply encourage your child to eat whenever theyre hungry.

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Real Food Vs A Vitamin

Kids need the right nutrients to help them grow. Since smoothies incorporate a variety of naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals, it helps get those little bodies exactly what they need from real food. Theyâll also get a helping of healthy fats, protein, and fiber â three things most multivitamins donât provide.

Smoothies For Toddlers With Food Allergies

If your toddler has food allergies, its easy to adjust a smoothie for them. If they are allergic to bananas, use 2 tablespoons avocado instead or try a teaspoon or two of nut butter. Use whichever type of milk you preferalmond, flax, coconut, rice, dairy, or even kefir.

We tend to use Silk Protein Nut Milk, Ripple Milk, or New Karma Flaxmilk in our smoothies.

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Banana Peanut Butter Weight Gain Smoothie 459 Calories

This smoothie contains 40 grams of protein and is an extremely tasty choice for people who want to gain weight. It can either replace one of your meals or serve as the perfect post-workout drink. Just one tablespoon of peanut butter has around 90 calories. On top of that, it provides you with healthy fat that lowers the risk of heart disease. Peanut butter is also an excellent source of niacin, otherwise known as vitamin B3. This vitamin is essential for proper nerve function and can even lower the risk of Alzheimers disease. On the other hand, bananas are a great source of carbohydrates. They are rich in potassium as well, which is a mineral crucial for blood pressure control.

What Youll Need

• 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 ounce soy protein powder
• 1 cup 1% milk

How to Prepare

This is a very simple smoothie to make. First, put the milk in the blender, slice the banana and add it along with the peanut butter and protein powder. Make sure you add a bit of water or a few ice cubes to ensure the texture is creamy and smooth.

Summertime Breakfast Smoothie Recipe 415 Calories

This refreshing smoothie will help you wake up and can provide you with an energy boost in the morning. It contains oats, which are packed with a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan. By consuming beta-glucan, your body can be able to naturally lower your cholesterol levels. Its worth mentioning that oats have a positive effect on your digestive health. On the other hand, peaches can be responsible for keeping your skin and eyes healthy. Not only that, but they can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease as well. This smoothie contains 20 grams of protein and is also a good source of fiber and carbohydrates.

What Youll Need

• ¼ cup plain greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon almond butter

How to Prepare

Pour the milk into the blender. Your next step should be to pour the yogurt, after which you can add the rest of the ingredients and blend for two minutes. You can add several ice cubes to make the texture smoother.

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Is My Toddler Gaining Weight Properly

A frequent question around raising young kids is whether theyre at a healthy weight. This may include whether a child is gaining too much, or too little, weight for their age and height. If this is a concern youre experiencing, know that youre certainly not alone.

Its normal to worry about the growth and development of our children, especially because its easy to compare their pattern with their peers or older siblings.

However, its most important to remember that your child is unique and that his or her growth pattern will also be unique to them. Not all variations in weight compared to their peers is a cause for concern.

The best way to determine whether your toddler needs to gain weight is to speak with your pediatrician. They keep growth records on file and can evaluate whether your child is continuing to grow at a linear rate, or if theres been stagnation. They will also be able to help clarify whether theres a reason to intervene.

There are also some physical indications you can look for at home that may suggest a need to have that conversation with the pediatrician.

Some signs of an underweight toddler may include:

• They have a lack of baby fat, or the extra weight thats normal for babies and toddlers to carry around their midsection, arms, thighs, and cheeks
• They are not moving up in the next clothing size for pants and shirts as you might expect
• They appear physically thin or small for their age compared to same-aged peers

How To Add Calories To Foods Without Force Feeding

The thing about feeding kids is that we cant force them to eat. So heres how I would suggest you approach this: Aim to add these foods into regular rotation as they are, and also add some of them to foods your child already eats.

And try to avoid forcing your child to eat, but instead provide relaxed and frequent opportunities for them to eat some foodeven if that means you have snacks or meals more frequently than you have been.

Here are some examples of meals and snacks with higher calories:

• Smoothie with 2 tablespoons nut butter or ¼ cup avocado or plain whole milk Greek yogurt
• Smoothie with flaxseed oil
• Toast topped with nut butter and banana
• Toast topped with coconut butter and banana
• Toast topped with butter and avocado
• Eggs cooked in butter
• Bean and Cheese Quesadilla with sour cream and/or guacamole for dipping
• Spinach Quesadillas with cheese and cream cheese in the mix, plus sour cream and/or guacamole for dipping
• Chocolate Protein Muffins with a cup of whole milk
• Salmon cooked in olive oil with potatoes and sour cream
• Stir heavy cream, mashed banana and maple syrup into oatmeal
• Ground beef cooked in olive oil or butter

TIP: You can do all of this without needing to buy special toddler formulas or protein powders, so save yourself the money!

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What To Put In Your Smoothie To Gain Weight

A high-calorie smoothie for weight gain generally contains ingredients such as:

• Vegetables
• Dairy, like milk, ice cream, or yogurt
• Nuts and seeds
• Grains
• Add-ins, like protein powder.

However, to ensure you will get the highest number of calories from your smoothie, blend high-calorie vegetables and fruits, whole dairy products, calorie-dense snacks, and quality protein powders.

Also, you want to make sure your smoothies have a low quantity of sugar.

“A smoothie with the right ingredients hasn’t got too much sugar. You can make sure of that by replacing syrups, honey, and other sweeteners with a ripe banana, for example,” says Iulia Serban, RDN.

Vegetables for smoothies

Its already hard to find vegetables that are high in calories, more so when you are looking for ones that can taste well in a smoothie.

Yet, after we studied hundreds of vegetables to find out the ones with the most calories, we discovered many that have hundreds of calories and can level up your smoothie game.

Here are 3 high-calorie vegetables that work well in smoothies:

• Hard-boiled eggs 78 calories / 1 large egg.

Be careful to not make high-sugar add-ins like honey and maple syrup the main ingredients of your smoothie. Add just a small size of such products into your weight gain drink.

Protein-packed add-ins like eggs and protein powder will help you build stronger muscles, and thus, gain healthier weight.

Be Careful About Worrying Too Much About Weight Gain

The tips youll learn below are an excellent support to any supplements your child has and can ultimately help them wean from those supplements, too.

If your doctor said your child is growing fine, but youd feel better if they had some weight on them, then these tips can give you some piece of mind that youre taking steps to support your childs growth in the best way possible.

BUT its important to avoid putting a lot of pressure on yourself or your child to gain weight, if your doctor is not concerned.

Kids sense this pressure and it often makes them less likely to eat more food . The focus on weight gain can also distract you from seeing progress because its often slow. Weight gain takes time, and its not safe for a child to put on 5 pounds in 2 weeks anyways.

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Babies And Toddlers That Need More Help

As an occupational therapist, its common for me to see babies and young toddlers that are struggling with weight gain because they havent learned to eat table foods. They only want their baby food or milk.

Yet, its critical that they learn how to eat table and finger foods.

Usually, theres an underlying issue thats making it difficult for them.

That underlying issue, like difficultly coordinating chewing or tolerating textures, needs addressed so they can learn how to eat. Plus, theres a specific order to the types and textures of table foods offered. To learn every detail of getting your child to eat table foods well, join us in our online program: Table Food School.

We just kicked off our annual site wide super sale with special bonuses, but it will only be available for a short time!

Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kids Table. She has over 15 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.

Does My Child Need A High

With all of the marketing were exposed to, questioning things about your childs health and nutrition is normal. We all wonder whether were doing it right.

For most kids, most of the time, the answer is no. With a diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods, the majority of kids can get everything they need to grow and develop.

If the picky eating phases have you concerned, remember that these are normal. Our kids have been known to eat two bites of toast for breakfast or a few bites of their dinner and call it good. Other weeks, theyre eating seconds or thirds.

While this inconsistency can be concerning for parents, it doesnt always mean anything needs to be fixed. We like to say that nutrition is a long game. Its most important to look at eating and nutrition habits over time versus a few meals.

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