Increasing your children’s appetite can be tricky, especially if they find food unappealing or are struggling to eat. However don’t stress, there are ways to increase their appetite and make them eat better.
Here are 20 suggestions for boosting a healthy appetite in your little one:
1) Compulsory breakfast
Eating a good, healthy breakfast is
bound to increase your child’s appetite. A balanced breakfast boosts
metabolism after the night ‘fast’ and gets the body working for the day.
Ensure that breakfast is a compulsory meal in your household. It’s a
tried and tested formula, give it a shot!
2) Feed every two hours
Children who fuss over food because
they’re not too hungry should be offered food every couple of hours. The
standard three meals may not be boosting their digestive system enough
to make them feel hungry. Regular meals once in two hours will improve
appetite. Try it!
3) Snacks are meals
Snacks should be as good as meals if you
want a better appetite. Instead of a cookie, offer a sandwich; instead
of a chips, offer muesli or cereal. Think of healthy replacements for
snacks and notice the change in your child’s appetite.
4) Offer favourite foods
For some children with low appetite, the
very sight of food might be a problem. If such is your child’s case,
try offering his/her favourite foods initially to get the metabolism
running. Healthy food can follow once your little one starts accepting
the very idea of eating.
5) Avoid pungent or strong food
Most children don’t enjoy extreme odours
or overpowering tastes. If low appetite is an issue with your child,
check if your kitchen has food odours and/or if your food has strong
taste of Indian masalas, garlic, and so on. Eliminate these flavours. Chances are that your child will start gaining an appetite.
6) Use appetising spices
Oregano, cinnamon, coriander, and fennel
(leaves and seeds) are all spices and herbs that aid in building an
appetite. Add a dash of these here and there in your child’s food.
However, ensure that these are not too visibly garnished on their
plates.
7) Don’t make oily food
Traditional Indian homes have the tendency of offering ‘ghee-based’ food to children. Unlike popular belief, such foods kill their appetite. Go easy on fatty products and dairy since these might be the reason why your child has a low appetite.
8) Avoid stressful topics at meal times
Sometimes, parents discuss finances or
plan the child’s school schedule during meal times as spending time
together is a rarity. Having said that, avoid stressful or serious
discussions during meal times. It kills a child’s appetite. Try talking
about happy things and see him/her wipe the plates clean.
9) Play/exercise more
It’s a common knowledge that playing
sports or exercising improves appetite. Don’t you think we forget this
common idea when it comes to our children? If your child has a declining
appetite, increase play time. You will see the hunger coming back!
10) Offer water 30 minutes before meal time
Children should have water first thing
in the morning, even before milk. Also, they should have water half an
hour before meals to improve their appetite. These basics help a lot!
11) Keep a food journal
Where you note things they ate on
good-food days. Ideas that worked on those days can be used for future
reference. Doesn’t hurt if a retrial works its wonder again, does it?
12) Offer fresh lime juice
When your child fusses over food and
says that he/she is not hungry, offer sweetened fresh lime juice,
instead of water. Lime improves digestion and appetite.
13) If kids are too warm, they eat less
Yes, it’s true! If it’s too hot or
suffocating in the house, appetite goes down. Place your child’s high
chair or dining table near an open window for some fresh air to enter.
You will notice the change.
14) Offer small bites
Small bites of food build metabolism,
which in-turn, improves appetite. Offer smaller bites of food to your
children if you think they have reduced appetite. Slowly, their want for
food will increase. You should continue offering small bites till they
start eating on their own and decide on their bite-size themselves.
15) Don’t skip dessert
Fruit-based desserts can help in
building an appetite. They work towards digestion and boost metabolism.
Psychologically, fruit-based desserts attract children to finish their
meals faster. Best appetite-boosting fruits are berries, grapes, and
apples.
16) Don’t make milk a meal
Many children, who have low appetites,
suffer from what can be called the ‘too much milk’ problem. When
children have milk as fillers, appetisers, or snacks, it kills their
appetite for the next meal. Introduce dairy in other forms like cottage
cheese, yoghurt, or cream.
17) Try homemade remedies
Try remedies like ginger juice with honey and peppermint chutneys to improve appetite. These can be made easily at home. They are great for the immune system as well.
18) Yoghurt is a must
One cannot stress enough about how
important yoghurt is for a child. It’s a dairy product with healthy
probiotics and calcium which are amazing for the appetite and immunity
of the child. Yoghurt serves the purpose of a dessert as well.
19) Peanut is not just any nut
Peanut is sometimes called the king of
nuts for its appetite-boosting and protein-building properties.
Incorporate it in your child’s food in the form of peanut butter or just
fry it to be eaten as crisps. The next time your child fusses for chips, offer him/her fried peanuts. You’ll be doing his appetite a favour.
20) Increase the intake of zinc
Zinc helps in building appetite. Wheat
bran, cashew nuts, and pumpkin seeds are good for improving the level of
zinc in the body. Try incorporating these in your child’s meals or
snacks. Check with your child’s doctor for zinc supplements as well.
Does your child have problems with eating? We have the perfect solution for you! Share the suggestion that worked for your child in the ‘Comment’ section below.
| #HomoeopathicMedicineForAppetiteEnhancer |
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