10 nutritious foods for growing kids

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

In all possibilities, the majority of the kids are fussy eaters in their growing years. This leads to poor nutrition in them and can often cause them to be underweight. If you are looking for healthy foods for kids that offer appropriate nutrition and also stimulates growth, you are in the right place!

Some children suffer from being underweight despite the healthy foods that their parents are providing them with. The good news is that there's a list of healthy weight gain foods for kids that are both tasty and nutritious! The problem may not lie with the food but with the number of times the child gets to eat it. 

A healthy, balanced diet is a must for every child. Instead of filling up your child’s tummy with empty calories like cake or junk foods, try and focus on giving the little one foods that are rich in protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Healthy nutritious foods for kids

Since most kids are picky eaters, you need to make sure what you give them is a fine blend of tasty and healthy! The following food items are good to have as staples in your child’s diet to help them gain adequate weight and get sufficient nutrition as well:

Root crops

Root crops are excellent sources of carbohydrates that will provide your child’s body with the energy that they need. You can simply boil or bake it and serve it with some butter or honey.

Eggs

While eggs are known for being a great source of high-quality protein, they also provide vitamin A and D and selenium. But do not go overboard with it. Just like with all types of food, add eggs (in moderation) along with other nutritious foods.

Nuts

Nuts vary in terms of the amount of the nutrition they provide, they also are a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. You can also try recipes that have nuts in them or simply give your kiddo a packet of nuts in the evening.

Full cream milk

Milk is not only high-calorie food but is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D. There are other ways to incorporate milk into your little one’s diet apart from morning breakfast. You can also offer milkshakes that will serve the same purpose.

Grandma's Tip: Never ever force feed your child! This will not just affect their health but they may grow rebellious when you try to feed them something they don't like. It's okay if a certain food is being rejected by the little one. Try it after at least two to three weeks or serve it by mixing it with something that the child likes. If even then it doesn't work out, leave it. Don't force. Try compensating for that nutrition with some other food.

Peanut butter

This is an excellent source of good fats and minerals. Your child can have it with fresh fruits, bread, and even on vegetable slices.

Cheese

Just like milk, cheese is an excellent source of calcium, protein, and fat. The best thing is your child loves it and you can add it to anything. You can serve it with sandwiches, pasta, etc.

Avocados

This fruit has a good amount of fat content and is high in calories. It will not only help children to gain weight but is also very good for their skin as it holds a lot of vitamins content in it. The only problem is it is a seasonal fruit, so you won’t find it throughout the year.

Mangoes

Most kids love mangoes, so it should not be a difficult task to make them eat it. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals. You can give your child directly, or make a pie or smoothie with this.

Yogurt

Not many people know, but yogurt can help in weight gain because of the high calories it provides. This is an excellent source of calcium and protein. Choose fruit-flavored ones and not low-fat ones as you want your child to gain a certain amount of weight.

Bread

Make sure to add starch to your child’s diet, such as bread or pasta. Bread is a great source of calorie, which is useful if your child needs to gain weight.

The key to a healthy weight gain is to consume a high amount of calories in the form of nutrient-rich foods like the ones mentioned. Also, make sure that you do not overdo it. Always discuss with your pediatrician so that she can monitor your little one’s progress closely.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.