Amazing ways to increase your child’s appetite

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Children can be unpredictable when it comes to having food. One day they shower all their love for a particular dish and the next day they loathe the same. Every mother spends a lot of time and effort making a meal and makes sure their kids are fully fed. Still People do not hesitate to say your kid is skinny. I have had enough of these comments, often taunts and wanted to do something about it. So, the problem is that kids don’t feel hungry much. Then I discovered some magic formulas to increase my child’s appetite so that they will have the must nutrition their body and mind needs for proper growth.

If your picky eater makes you run all day, the post is dedicated to all you mom-

Reasons for your child’s low appetite

  • digestion and bowel problems, gastric issues
  • No gap between meals
  • Sickness such as cough, cold, throat pain and fever
  • Zinc deficiency, zinc is responsible for producing acids which are essential for digestion of food
  • Lack of physical exercise
  • Iron deficiency, which has an adverse effect on appetite as well as motor, cognitive and other developmental skills

Amazing ways to boost your child’s appetite

1. Breakfast like a King

Having a healthy breakfast after a good night’s sleep is capable of boosting metabolism and thus increasing appetite. The healthy breakfast provides needed energy which gets the body working for the day. This is not a new theory but a tried and tested formula.

2.Give them a break


If your child has been grazing or munching a bite of chips, few bites of this and that in every few minutes, you need to stop it now. Let the child know the real hunger. Keep a proper gap of 2-3 hours between the meals.

3.Milk is not a meal

Our Dadi-Nani focused a lot on the goodness of milk but too-much of milk leads to loss of appetite. When children have milk as snacks, fillers or appetizers, it kills their appetite for the next meal. 2 glasses of milk per day is more than enough for a child. It is better to incorporate other dairy products such as curd, buttermilk and cheese into your child’s diet.

4.Add iron-rich and Zinc-rich foods

Undoubtedly, Iron and zinc are two important minerals for the overall growth in kids. Introduce them iron-rich foods such as spinach, beetroot, green leafy veggies, soaked nuts, tofu and pair them with Vitamin C rich foods, which helps in better absorption of iron. You can also cook veggies and chapatis in cast iron pans. Ditch your non-stick pans. Though Zinc does not increase appetite but it plays an important role in growth and immunity. Even a mild deficiency can lead to weight loss, lack of appetite and makes the child more prone to infections. Add zinc-rich foods such as nuts, oats, beans, tofu to your child’s diet.

5.Foods that build up the appetite

Add ajwayin to stir fry veggies, make parathas and also ajwayin water can help to increase appetite

Pomegranate is a brilliant appetite booster, pomegranate juice protects liver, kills intestinal worms in kids and aids in digestion.

Make your child drink buttermilk with mashed mint leaves

Peanut is not just any nut. It is called king of nuts due to its protein-building and appetite boosting properties.

Yogurt is full of healthy probiotics and calcium, acts as a great appetizer.

Offer sweetened fresh lime juice instead of water because it improves digestion and appetite.

Soaked nuts such as dates, walnuts, almonds aid in gaining weight. Also give versatile food -Makhana to kids.

Papaya, Rich in Vitamin A, C, E, helps in weight gain in children.

6. No Water during or just after the meal

Get back to the basics. Do not allow water during or just after food because it makes your stomach full. Children should drink water 30 minutes before the meals. Motivate kids to have a glass of water first thing in the morning. Do not gobble food, chew it well.

7.Play/exercise more

play is a brilliant way towards a better appetite. Remember your childhood days, when you played for two hours at stretch and used to rush home like a hungry child. Inculcate those habits in your kids too.

 

Picture credit-UChealth,grimwire,feedingmykid,algaecal,firstcry parenting, unlockfood.ya, good habits for life, buzymummy

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