How to Help a Toddler Gain Weight

If you have a toddler who is underweight, it can be difficult finding things for her to eat that are nutritious and fattening. The problem becomes even greater if you have a toddler who is picky. Remember to keep offering the same foods to your toddler. It can take several attempts before a toddler will accept a new food. Be sure to see your pediatrician if your toddler is underweight to rule out any health conditions and making any major changes to your toddler's diet.

Things You'll Need

• PediaSure or other nutritional supplement Smoothie (optional) Water Various groceries

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Instructions

• 1

  Offer a PediaSure or a similar nutritional supplement to your toddler every morning. They provide extra calories and most toddlers like how they taste. Another morning option is to offer a prepackaged smoothie made with whole milk.

• 2

  Plan your snack time. Do not offer snack within 2 hours before a meal is served. A typical toddler will fill up on snacks and not eat lunch or dinner.

• 3

  Switch to water between meals. Do not offer milk or juice because it can quickly fill up your toddler's stomach.

• 4

  Make sure snacks are nutritious and fattening. Offer peanut butter spread on a graham cracker topped with bananas. Hummus spread on a pita is also a great snack choice, or give raw cut vegetables and full fat ranch dressing as a dip.

• 5

  Use full fat dairy ingredients. Substitute two percent milk for one percent or skim. Use butter and full fat cheese. Put butter on vegetables and pasta. Make an easy Alfredo sauce using equal parts cream, butter and Parmesan cheese.

• 6

  Use healthy oils when you cook instead of cooking spray. Extra virgin olive oil and canola oil are good choices.

• 7

  Offer dessert. Give your toddler a dessert when he has eaten enough of his dinner. A healthy option is full fat ice cream with fresh fruit mixed in. Another healthy option is a fruit crisp with ice cream on top.