Food

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Updated on Jul 07, 2018
My son is 2. 5 years old but he I snot taking food properly. and digest slowly. Please suggest what I should give him for increase appetite

| Jul 07, 2018
hi Bhavya! give him small frequent meals. make meal fun time. avoid force feeding. here is a blog u would find useful. https://www.parentune.cs-to-boost-toddlers-weak-appetite-hungriness-home-remedies/3332?ptref=sa0l0010m4602kk

| Jul 07, 2018
here is the link. https://www.parentune.com/parent-blog/16-tips-to-boost-toddlers-weak-appetite-hungriness-home-remedies/3332?ptref=sa0l0010m4602kk

| Jul 08, 2018
Hii Bhavya Hope this helps you... My friend was telling me about her 2 year old daughter. Her fussiness towards food gives the mom a headache every day. The little girl is not interested in fruits, cereals or vegetables. Instead she loves the deep fried items like sev, chips and namkeen. “Those deep fried snacks are the only eatables she is interested in. She doesn’t seem to be hungry at all. God knows why. I am really worried” told this mom. Well in this post I will give you detailed information about low appetite in babies, toddlers and the foods which are appetite boosters. Causes of low appetite in babies, toddlers and kids: There can be many reasons for poor appetite in babies and toddlers. Fever, cold and cough are the main culprits. Even though the body recovers from fever or cold, the digestion process takes a bit longer to get back in track, resulting in tastelessness and low appetite. Low level of Zinc According to Science, low appetite has been linked to Zinc deficiency in your body. Zinc produces hydrochloric acid which is required for proper digestion of food. A low level of Zinc produces less HCI which leads to poor appetite. You can increase the levels of Zinc by providing chicken, wheat bran, cashew nuts and pumpkin seeds in your little one’s diet. Unbalanced agni or digestion According to Ayurveda, the ‘Pakwagni’ or the fire helps us to burn the food in the tummy and convert it into energy required by the body. Indigestion, gas and flatulence are all caused due to imbalance in this Agni. In babies and toddlers usually the Agni or digestion process goes seemingly slow due to illnesses like fever, cold or cough. Appetite slump In toddlers, there can be a constant weight for about 3-4 months. Their growth has slowed down; calorie requirement is less during those months and hence low appetite results. Failure to thrive Babies can also have the constant weight or no increase in weight for a few months. It’s known as ‘failure to thrive’ which is again caused as a result of infections, fever or any other serious illnesses. Inadequate gaps between meals When food is given without a proper gap of 3 to 4 hours, it won’t digest properly. In such a case, the baby or toddler won’t feel hungry for a long time. Whole grains Whole grains can make the tummies of babies and toddler full for long as it is rich in fibre. It might also cause low appetite. Too much of milk/ dairy products You read it right. Too much of cow’s milk or formula can result in low appetite among babies and toddlers. In case of toddlers, limit the cow’s milk or dairy products to 2-3 cups a day. Foods to increase appetite in babies, toddlers and kids: #1. Ajwain Ajwain or omam is an excellent appetite booster. You can give it to babies of 6 months and above in the form of ajwain water, parathas or as the tempering or tadka in food. #2. Asafoetida Hing, kayam or asafoetida is the anti-flatulent known to increase appetite in babies and toddlers. You can add hing to baby foods like khichdi, butter milk, khadi or rasam. #3. Basil or tulasi Basil or tulasi can help to improve digestion process and increase appetite in babies above 8 months. #4. Cinammon Cinammon can increase appetite in babies, toddlers, kids and even adults. It contains ‘hydroxychalcone’ which increases appetite. From 7th month, you can add cinnamon powder in porridge, mashes and kheer for babies and kids. For older kids you can add cinnamon powder in home made cake, toasts, pastries and drinks. #5. Ginger Ginger can help to increase appetite in toddlers and kids. Crush ginger with a pinch of salt. Add in the buttermilk or chaas given to your toddler every afternoon. This can help to increase the fire/agni which can improve the appetite in toddlers above 1 year. #6. Peanuts Peanuts contain zinc. As I mentioned before, zinc aids digestion and improves appetite. However avoid giving peanuts to kids younger than a year. This is because peanuts can cause an allergic reaction in some kiddos. When you introduce peanuts, make sure you follow the 4 or 7 day ruleto ensure that your child isn’t allergic to it. If not, you can use peanuts in chutneys, give roasted peanuts as a snack, give it in the form of chikki or even give some peanut butter for them to relish. #7. carrot juice This is something my mother has tried for me. Apart from the countless benefits that carrot has to offer, stimulating appetite is one thing that made my mom fall in love with it. A small glass of carrot juice half an hour before meals helped to increase hunger. Try it out to see the results for yourself. #8. pumpkin seeds This may look a bit confusing to you, as pumpkin seeds are used to curb hunger as well! So wondering how it found its way to this list? The answer is – zinc. All you have to do is, limit the amount of pumpkin seeds that you give your child. Too much can make your child feel too full to eat anything else. #9. curd with mint Drinking too many glasses of milk can hamper your child’s appetite. If your child’s appetite is low, then skip the glass of milk and give some curd instead. Add some mint leaves and blend well. Season it with some salt and give it to your child. You can give it to kids older than 8-9 months. #10. Fenugreek powder Swap the mint for a pinch of roasted fenugreek powder and you can see a change in your child’s appetite. #11. Peaches If you happen to stay someplace where you can get your hands on this yummy fruit, then rejoice, for peaches are good to boost the appetite. #12. Plum This is another fruit that can be given to your kid that will help to boost the appetite. The best part about plums is that, most kids love the taste. #13. lemon juice If your kid loves juice, then give him a glass of lemon juice. This also helps to boost the appetite. You can consult your paediatrician if your little one’s low appetite seems to continue for months. The paediatrician might prescribe needfully... Hope this article was useful to you..