Hi, My 2.5 years old has always been a picky eater from the beginning but its hard to find food for him to eat. He will not eat meat unless its fish fingers or nuggets and no vegetables but he eats fruit. He smells things first hes 15. 1 kg and my doc said do not worry unless hes underweight? Is it a texture issue or something. Should I get him a supplement? Hes only just starting to talk so hard to communicate with him. And most days he wakes up from a late afternoon nap crying hysterically for a half hour and im concerned.

Dr. Tanmay PalsuleHomeopath11yrs exp

94% (4840 ratings)

Ask Free Question

According to his age his weight is adequate. If you are anxious however follow the following instructions: Look for underlying issues. Some kids, like some adults, are simply naturally slender and have trouble putting on weight. However, you should try to rule out other reasons for your child's difficulty in gaining weight. Children are notorious for being "picky eaters," but if your child simply has little interest in eating, that could be a sign of some sort of medical or psychological issue. A hormonal or metabolic problem such as diabetes or an overactive thyroid can sometimes be the cause of poor weight gain. Gastrointestinal or other problems may make eating uncomfortable, or undiagnosed food allergies could be at play. Some medications can reduce appetite, so consider this possibility if your child is on medication. Your child could also just be excessively active, and simply be burning more calories than he or she takes in. Feed underweight children more often. Many times, the problem is not what a child is eating, but simply how much. Small children have small stomachs and need to eat more frequently than adults. Children may need to eat five or six smaller meals, along with snacks, each day. Whenever an underweight child feels hungry, feed him or her. Make mealtime important. While sprinkling in snacks as needed, make mealtimes regular focal points in your child?s day. Teach him or her that eating is both important and enjoyable. If mealtime seems like an annoyance or afterthought, or some sort of punishment (such as sitting until you clean your plate), then children are less likely to be enthusiastic eaters. Make mealtimes a regular routine. Turn off the TV. Make eating and enjoying the focus. Set a good example. While your kid may need to put on a few pounds, you might benefit from losing a few. Even if this is the case, your eating habits should not be as different as you may think. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods is essential for the underweight, the overweight, and everyone in between. Children learn by watching you. If you regularly try new foods and make healthy options, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains your first choices, they are more likely to adopt these habits. Making junk food a rare indulgence will benefit both of you, whether you need to gain or lose weight. Skip unhealthy choices. Yes, cakes, cookies, sodas, and fast food meals have high calorie counts that can increase weight. However, the cost in other potential health problems (including even childhood diabetes or heart disease) outweighs any small benefits. Calorie-rich but nutrient-poor foods, such as sugary drinks, are not the answer to healthy weight gain. Foods that are rich in both calories and nutrients are the best option, because they help add weight and provide essential vitamins and minerals. Don?t tell your child he or she nee Serve a variety of nutrient-dense foods. Variety is important not only because it offers the best range of vital nutrients, but also because it helps keep mealtime interesting. If mealtime is a chore or a bore, it will be more difficult to get your kid to want to eat. A high-calorie, high-nutrient diet for weight gain in children should include starchy carbohydrates (pastas, breads, cereals); at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily; proteins (meat, fish, eggs, beans); and dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.). All children under two should consume full-fat dairy products, and your child?s doctor may recommend continuing this practice past that age to support weight gain. Make milk your friend. The ease in adding dairy products like milk and cheese to a wide variety of foods makes them great options for enhancing calorie (and nutrient) content. Smoothies and milkshakes are easy ways to help kids drink their calories, and the addition of fresh fruit can further boost the nutrition content. Cheese can be melted into or sprinkled on top of just about anything, from eggs to salads to steamed veggies. Try adding milk to soups instead of water, and serve sour cream, cream cheese, or yogurt-based dips with fruits or veggies. Take small steps to add calories. Simple additions and substitutions can boost nutritious calorie counts in kid-approved foods. Try, for instance: Cooking pasta and rice in chicken broth instead of water. Serving dried fruit, which children may eat more of because of the lack of water content to fill them up. Adding flaxseed oil, with its mild flavor, to everything from salad dressings to peanut butter and banana smoothies. Adding cooked beef or chicken to things like pasta, pizza, soup, stew, scrambled eggs, and macaroni and cheese. While fiber is important to a healthy diet, you may not want to overdo it with children trying to gain weight? say that you both need to choose and eat more healthy foods. FOR MEDICATION CONSULT ONLINE IN PRIVATE 

0 person found this helpful