The most obvious way to give your child more calories is to choose high-calorie foods. But remember, your child still needs to eat a varied diet.
Each of the four food groups has a bounty to offer: dairy, meat and meat alternatives, fruits and vegetables, and breads and cereals. The foods listed below supply diversity and needed calories. Make sure you offer only the foods that match your child’s feeding skills.
Use Whole-Milk Dairy Products
Whole-milk dairy products provide many more calories than low-fat or skim milk products. This may mean buying double for a few items—whole-milk products for your little one and low-fat or skim milk products for the rest of the family. Finding whole-milk products can take some extra time, since there is a higher demand for reduced-fat foods. Be sure the label states whole milk or 4% fat. The extra effort in carefully reading the labels will be well worth it in terms of extra calories.
- whole milk plain o with instant breakfast powders
- whole-milk cheeses (cheddar, jack, American, and so on)
- pudding (made with whole milk)
- custard
- ice cream
- kefir
- fruit yogurt (check labels)
- 4% milkfat cottage cheese
- Ovaltine
- milk shakes
- eggnog
Choose High-Fat Meats/Meat Alternatives
Selections based on cut and preparation provide a high-calorie advantage.
- cheeseburgers
- luncheon meats
- hot dogs
- fish sticks
- fried chicken with skin
- ham
- spareribs
- ground beef
- breaded fish
- dark-meat turkey with gravy
- nut butters (peanut butters, other nuts)
- fried beans
Fruits/Vegetables
In general, fruits and vegetables don’t supply a lot of calories because they are high in water and fiber. Fruits and vegetables do provide good nutrition in terms of both vitamins and minerals. Good sources of vitamin A (apricots, mangos, carrots, sweet potatoes, greens) and vitamin C (citrus, bell peppers, broccoli) should be provided daily. When low-calorie fruits and vegetables are served, you can greatly increase the calorie impact by including salad dressing, butter, grated cheese, and other high-calorie additions. For relatively high-calorie fruits and vegetables, these are good choices:
- bananas
- avocados
- fruits canned in heavy syrup
- peas and corn (served creamed or with cheese sauce added)
- dried fruit
- frozen juices reconstituted with less water
Breads and Cereals
High-calorie foods + high-calorie spreads = high-calorie winners!
- pancakes, french toast, and waffles (top with butter, syrup, wheat germ, fruit yogurt, powdered sugar, whipped cream)
- muffins (spread with butter and jam)
- sweet breads such as banana bread or walnut-raisin-date bread (try serving with cream cheese or peanut butter)
- biscuits covered with gravy
- cooked cereals with added butter, raisins, brown sugar, ground nuts
- granola-type sweetened cereals with dried fruits and nuts
- convenience potato, rice, or noodle mixes served with added butter, cheese, whole milk, gravy, wheat germ
The information on this web site is provided for entertainment purposes only; it is a general reference for healthcare consumers and providers; it is not a prescription for any individual person. It is important that you consult your child’s qualified healthcare provider before implementing any of the research discussed on this web site.
Disclaimer: This is based solely on our experience and should not be treated as medical advice. You should always consult your doctor(s) with any medical or health concerns before starting any new diet, products or supplements.
