Skinny kids who won't eat meals

alrighthamilton · September 2014

We had the 2 year check and Kate actually lost a half a pound since 18 months. She is only 23 pounds even. She's in the 70th percentile for height, so the doctor wasn't overly concerned as she's growing, but I do need to try to get more fat in her diet. She's not as horribly picky as she used to be, but the issue is that she'll only ever eat a few bites of anything, even food she likes. I try supplementing with protein smoothies, extra butter in mac and cheese, even chocolate shakes with protein powder but she'll only drink about a quarter of it before she's done. She basically prefers to graze all day, and while she gets a decent variety of foods, it's never very much. My husband and I are both thin, so I know it's partially genetic, but her eating habits and weight stress me out. Does anyone else have this issue or advice? Thanks

alrighthamilton · September 2014

I should add that we've been through allergy testing, and I've tried a ton of fun plates/utensils/ straws. Even as an infant she only would eat 2oz max of formula at once.

CoUnTryBB1 · September 2014

Don't feel bad L is only 23 pounds and she is not terribly tall. I am only 110 maybe and I am 5'2". She is fairly picky but she also has trouble eating large meals as well. She has to have zero distractions which is sometimes a challenge although she eats much better at daycare because the other kids do. She only really likes fish and certain chicken. I can't even get her to eat peanut butter. Our pedi wasn't concerned she suggested maybe a protein shake some mornings for breakfast but I explained that we had tried that and she wouldn't drink them.

@Becc77 I never thought about adding butter and items like that. I try to be health conscious for SO but I may just have to let him have the butter too!

cedenton · September 2014

DS is 25ish lbs and 10% for weight. Not tall, either. Can't explain it by our genetics, though. I just try to let him lead the way and not let him snack too much so he'll eat more balanced meals. I don't always succeed. I agree with butter, full fat yogurt, peanut butter, olive oil, avocado, etc.

vvvvvfee · September 2014

here's a great PDF of high-calorie foods for toddlers: https://www.framingham.edu/food-and-nutrition/documents/high-cal-foods-for-toddlers.pdf

good suggestions above. what about dips and sauces? homemade ranch dressing or sour cream dip for veggies, or homemade alfredo sauce or cheese sauce over pasta or veggies. smoothies with full-fat yogurt. also KIND bars. they are very nutrient dense and taste great.

alrighthamilton · September 2014

@vvvvvfee‌ thanks for the link. It's very informative.

Jeffreysmom24 · September 2014

Great link @vvvvvfee‌ - thanks for sharing that!

Becc77 - sounds like you have already gotten lots of good advice and I don't really have anything to add! Jeffrey is in a phase now where he will only eat certain things but at least he will eat -- he has meatballs or chicken nuggets for dinner several times a week! When he is being picky, I can sometimes get him to eat some hummus or at least shredded cheese which I let him put on top of his meal (I try to sneak in a few bites of the meal too when it is covered in cheese). Good luck!! I was extremely picky as a child and underweight and my mom said she just kept trying and made sure I at least took flinstone vitamins!

HoneyBunn24 · September 2014

@Jeffreysmom24 - Flinstone vitamins!! I haven't had those in SO long!!!

DD is a skinny bum. In one of my siggy pictures she looks like skin and bones...but she eats like a horse..when she likes whats on the table. She's a grazer, and that's fine. As long as she's eating something.

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