Best Milk Options for Toddlers Health

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding for as long as possible. Growing up milks are formulated to meet nutrition needs of healthy young children older than 1 year and should not be fed to infants.

When height gets ahead of weight, children are often underweight compared to their height on the overall growth chart.

If that seems to be the case with your child today, we recommend that you increase his daily caloric intake and make sure he gets the calories and important nutrients he needs to grow and develop his abilities.

Hereby is the list of food to ensure your child’s gain weight is healthy and appropriate:

Whole fat milk: The whole fat milk can help your toddler or baby gain weight, as it’s a high source of calcium and calories. Offer your child a cup of milk every day and you will see the difference in weeks!

• Whole fat yogurt: Don’t buy your kid the flavored types of yogurt available in the market, but the whole fat natural types which you can add to fresh fruits.
• Cheese: Small cheese chunks are such a wonderful snack for your toddler. Make sure he will have them with eggs, potato or boiled broccoli.
• Bananas: Bananas are an excellent source of energy and carbohydrates. Offer your child half a banana every day either as a puree or as a milk shake.
• Avocados: Avocados contain a great amount of good fats. Just smash one and give it to your child as a snack or add it to his smoothies and dips.
• Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes contain sugar and beta carotene. Add them to any of your child’s dishes or serve them as a puree.
• Eggs: Eggs are a very important source of protein. Do not hesitate to introduce them into your toddler’s diet to nourish him and make him gain some kilos!
• Peanut butter: Peanut butter is a well known dietary source for weight gain. Just spread a small spoon of peanut butter on a piece of soft bread and serve it to your child!
• Nuts: Nuts are a high source of vitamin E, protein and fats. Add a handful of same to your child’s milk shake for some extra nutrition. But be careful and smash them very well so they won’t turn into a shocking hazard!
• Olive oil: As olive oil contains good fats, make sure you use it to prepare all your child’s meals!

It’s also important to incorporate frequent, small meals throughout the day to help your toddler gradually increase their calorie intake. Consider offering nutrient-dense snacks like whole-grain toast with avocado, oatmeal made with whole milk, or smoothies packed with fruits, yogurt, and a spoonful of peanut butter.

Another helpful tip is to add healthy fats like olive oil or butter to vegetables and grains. This not only boosts the calorie content but also ensures your child is getting a good mix of essential nutrients. Consistency is key, so make mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free to encourage healthy eating habits.

Along this enlist of healthy food, try your best to keep your toddler away from sugary juices, chocolate, ice cream and other types of sweets that will hit his body with empty calories and put his teeth at risk of decay and other mouth diseases!