Boosting Child's Weight via Healthy Eating: Recommended Foods for Weight Gain
Healthy Weight Gain in Children: Balancing Nutrition and Activity Amidst the Pandemic
Parenting during the ongoing global health crisis has presented numerous challenges, one of them being the concern over childhood obesity due to reduced physical activity amidst stay-at-home orders. While ensuring weight gain is vital for a child's growth, it's equally important to maintain healthy weight gain. To address this, a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet is essential.
A child's weight should be regularly monitored, especially if they are underweight, as this can result in developmental delays. Possible reasons for weight loss include poor appetite, food intolerances, eating disorders, chronic illnesses, and metabolic disorders, among others.
To encourage healthy weight gain, focus on encouraging physical activity and a balanced diet with plenty of nutrient-dense foods from all food groups. Small, frequent meals facilitated by healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts, and seeds can help young ones boost their calorie intake. Processed and packaged foods, often laden with added sugars and unhealthy fats, should be avoided as they provide little nutritional value.
Some nutrient-dense foods ideal for healthy weight gain include:
- Protein-rich sources like lean meats, fish, poultry, and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils.
- Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to provide sustained energy and fiber.
- Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and unsaturated fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil.
- Dairy and plant-based alternatives like milk, yogurt, and nut milks for calcium and protein.
Keeping children properly hydrated and avoiding ultra-processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats is equally crucial for overall health. If necessary, consult a pediatrician about supplements like plant-based protein shakes to support a balanced diet.
By focusing on these nutrient-rich foods and encouraging physical activity, children can maintain a healthy weight gain while supporting overall development.
A well-balanced diet, incorporating protein-rich sources, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and adequate hydration, plays a significant role in brain development and growth and development during childhood. Furthermore, nutrient-dense foods such as dairy and plant-based alternatives, fruits, nuts, and seeds, are advantageous in ensuring healthy weight gain while promoting overall health-and-wellness.
