Food that stimulates the appetite of children

Foods that increase the appetite of children

Children from 1 to 4 years old are considered picky eaters, which affects their appetite level and this can lead to nutrient deficiency. It should be noted that foods rich in vitamins and minerals are among the stimulating factors to whet appetite in children, and it is possible to give food supplements to the child after consulting a doctor; As it helps to open the appetite, and among the most important vitamins and minerals that open the child's appetite, which can be taken in their sources or in the form of nutritional supplements:

Vitamin B12: From its sources: animal products; Like eggs, dairy, meat and fish.

Zinc: Found in green and black beans, red meat, whole grains, poultry, and Swiss cheese.

Vitamin D: One of its most important sources is sunlight, since it is found in eggs, fish, and orange juice fortified with it.

Increased appetite in underweight children

Trying to force children to eat will not help improve their appetite, especially if the main reason for this is unknown, as there may be a medical reason for the loss of appetite. Such as: sensitivity to certain foods, or suffering from digestive problems such as inflammation of the intestines and others, so it is preferable to consult a doctor to find out about these causes and treat them, and in the absence of a medical reason for loss of appetite, Some tips can be followed to alleviate and improve this condition:

Use favorite foods that the child enjoys, especially if he is a picky eater, and can be added to his meals, which helps him eat and increases his appetite. In normal cases, children are often reluctant to try new and different types of food, and this may be because they have different tastes, textures, or textures.

encourage and motivate the child to play outdoors and participate in sports activities; Such as bicycling and other physical activities, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that children should exercise for an hour a day, as this can help whet their appetite.

Choose foods with a high caloric content, so that the child does not have to eat large amounts of food, and this can contribute to weight gain and improvement.

Other ways to whet the child's appetite There are several other ways in which appetite can be boosted in children suffering from loss, and among these methods we mention the following:

Make mealtime enjoyable by providing different foods for the child to choose from, focusing on the foods that the child likes, and displaying expressions that suggest that the food is tasty and interesting.

provide small amounts of food several times; This is because children's stomachs are small, unlike adults, so having 5-6 meals spread between main meals and snacks is best in terms of calories needed.

Diversify the children's menu by adding different food groups such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, poultry and fish.

Avoid coercing or forcing the child to eat all of the food or eat a certain type of food, as this behavior may cause a negative reaction in the future, and this may affect her independence.

Avoid feeding the child in the presence of external stimuli and distractions. TV, games and books.

Prepare the children and prepare them for mealtime by letting them know the time about 10-15 minutes before the meal. Encourage and motivate children to contribute to the preparation of their meals.