Healthy diet to increase the body weight

Hi
When we go and check the growth rate for our kids , I think most of us have their kids below average in terms of weight. Usually anemia inncreases the metabolism rate and this makes it hard for the kids to gain weight. Once the endocrinologist discussed with me that although she is concerned more with the height but she found that whenever my child had good weight , his height and growth rate were much better. She told me imagine you have two calories in your body one is for growth and the other is for survival... She wanted to tell me that the food my son os getting is for survival only.

I decided to go to a nutritionist and she gave me an excellent diet that increased the weight of my son by 7kg in three months. She is not increasing the fat cells nor the volume of the cell but rather the number of cells.  I tried this diet a couple of years ago and I am trying with my son again these days to push in the onset of puberty but I find it hard because the more they are old the more they don't listen to you and the more i am fed up

The great thing about this diet is that it does not depend on quantities at all.... Its the quality ... Therefore the combination is the key not the quantity

When you wake up:
2 small spoons of molasses + juice of half a lemon  (i know you may be concerned of the iron but if you are chelating no problem and if you are intemedia like my son the non-hem iron in th molasses is negligible)

Breakfast:
Whatever you like in breakfast ( bread..cheese...eggs...beans...jam...what everyone likes or used to) +  glass of blended dates with milk and honey ( instead of dates put bananas or any fruit)

Snack 1 (after 2 hours):
Glass of milk + nuts or corn flakes or pop corn or sunfloor seeds or raisons

Snack 2 (after 2hours):
 cake + fruit

Lunch:
Protein, salad, rice or macaroni,vegtebeles + glass of blended dates with milk and honey ( instead of dates put bananas or any fruit)

Snack 3 (after 2 hours):
Milk + small piece of oriental sweet or can be replaced with sweet potatos

Snack 4 (after 2hours):
Ice cream + cookies

Dinner:
Whatever you used to eat whether hot meal or just a sandwich + glass of blended dates with milk and honey ( instead of dates put bananas or any fruit) + honey with tahina
Tahina is 100% seasme paste
If you dont know tahina in your country this can be replaced with pan cakes or crepe with honey or sugar

N.B : anytime you can replace milk with ice cream or frozen yoghurt or any kind of dairy
Looks tough but quantities are not required its the combination
Try to freeze red graps ...they are so yummy for the kids


Hope this helps
Manal

Manal,

This is a great post.   We have had many of the same concerns with little A.  He is 3 years behind in bone age, which has been very frustrating to him.  Getting him to eat was so frustrating for years and peads would say the same thing that you were told - that the calories are being allocating to body functions rather than growth.

The good news is that we increased his calories - similar to how you have - which increased his need for calories over time.  His hormones suddenly increased and he grew suddenly.  He's still behind his peers - but he's 159cm and 45.5kg - which is good for a bone age of 13.   His height increased each time we check him now - so persistence does help!  Keep up your good work - it will pay off. 

I will keep you posted on lil A's progress and let you know if I learn anything new. 


Sharmin

We also need to note that thals are deficient in amino acids so increasing protein is very beneficial for growth. 

Homemade protein shakes are helpful.   We also gave him a Boost (high calorie nutritional drink) between meals. 

Thank you Sharmin for your reply....this is really good to know and  highlights the importance of nutrition.
No matter how they eat...it doesn't show and that is why we should ask a specialist because it's all about the quality and combinatons.
I am happy for little A's progress and I am sure there will be more to come keep it up my friend
manal

Sharmin...I also give him pediasure (if u know it) between meals..
but what do you mean by homemade protein shakes....what are they made up of?

Great post Manal...thank you!

Manal,
so good to see you back to the forum. Great post...Thank you!

Sharmin, what do you mean by homemade protein shake? please share the details.

JV....welcome dear


Bostonian_04...i am happy i am back too feels like home and i miss u loads too...how is your little girl going...hope everything is great at your side 
Manal

Some recent research demonstrated the importance of B-12 to bone growth. It is believed that thals should be at the very high end of normal for B-12 if tested. Sublingual B-12 that dissolves under the tongue is far better absorbed than anything swallowed. Piece by piece, the knowledge about bone development is falling into place. Don't overlook the importance of B-12 and the fact that it should be replenished daily.

Thank you Andy, I will look into that asap.


Manal, Bostonian - when I make Lil A a home made protein shake I will add protein powder such as Proteins+ into his milkshake or smoothie.