Looking for ideas for high calorie, healthy snacks..

[chuffinalong]

Hi, I'm asking advice for my friend. Her 7 year old son is very small for his age and hasn't put on any weight in the past year. He's been to the doctors and he's going on build up shakes again but also needs a high calorie diet. She would like some ideas of high calorie snacks that are still healthy. If you have any ideas, please let me know. Thanks

[lastqueenofscotland]

Hummous is pretty high cal?
Cheese
Potato wedges

[chuffinalong]

Thank you

[treacledan71]

Not sure if he allergic to nuts but make some flap jacks with dried fruit in and nuts. Do them with oil instead of butter to cut down fat a bit.

[DesertOrDessert]

Half an Avacado, with French dressing in the "hole" left by the stone.

Cream cheese or peanut butter on apple slices.

Tuna in oil however he likes it.

Hard boiled eggs or chicken drumsticks as snacks.

[chuffinalong]

Thanks everyone, some great ideas to pass on.

[Moln]

If no allergy peanut butter.

My DS1 is boardering on underweight so I'm in the same boat regarding needing to increase weight. My DS1 is older though. I'm encouraging him to have snacks such as peanut butter on an English muffin, and Pistachio nuts; these are out of school snacks as there two with nut allergies in class. In school he's getting lots of cheese.

Oily fish such as salmon too.

[beela]

Following, for my DS... who I haven't weighed recently, but I can see all his ribs!

He's not fond of nuts unfortunately, or avocado. I tried making some high energy flapjacks with coconut/seeds/berries in them but they were rejected (he will eat plain flapjack though).

Smoothies are quite good - banana and honey whizzed up with some full fat milk and a spoonful of greek yoghurt.

I like to kid myself that homemade cake is healthy, but I could only really argue that in relation to shop-bought cake!

[DesertOrDessert]

beela I can see all my 6 year olds ribs too. He is perfectly healthy on the 25th centile for height, weight, and NHS BMI thingy is also happy. You are supposed to be able to see ribs on primary ages kids. Worth checking his weight and height ocasionally, but ribs on their own aren't a major cause for concern

[Moln]

Seeing ribs is good. Poking out ribs isn't!!

Weight him and measure his height. Protien would be better than sugar. If he doesn't like nuts then:

Chicken
Cheese
Fish
Eggs
Milk

In no particular order. My DS doesn't drink milk but like horlicks.

[beela]

Yes, I need to weigh and measure him to find out for sure, but he is definitely skinny compared with his peers. I suspect he has just inherited DH's tall and slim physique.

[Lurkedforever1]

I'm a life long healthy skinny, but if I accidentally lose any ( illness, stress, v busy etc) I always make an effort to regain it for next time I need it.

I've found fat is the best way. Excess carbs above appetite level I just end up with loads of energy, but fat makes me more lethargic, and takes up less space so I don't feel full as easy. Loads of cheese, fried bread over toast, cream heavy sauces on pasta, in casseroles, to cook in etc, gravy where you can, cheese sauce on meals, crumpets dripping butter topped with cheese over sandwiches, leaving veg off the plate at meal times so you eat more high calorie foods, then remembering to eat them when you have room, roasting meat over grilling, leaving bacon rind/ chicken skin on etc.

Full fat milk is good too, but I hate the stuff.

And while I wouldn't recommend adding loads of sugary crap, make sure he is getting enough for normal use, preferably from non filling sources like fresh orange juice and complex carbs.

I also find it easier to eat more than I want if there are few distractions, I imagine it's similar for a child. I can think of a million better things to do than eat when I'm not hungry, and I suspect he's similar. Mindless eating in the car is easier than at a sociable meal etc.

I would really only attempt any weight gain on a child with medical advice, some kids are just stick thin and perfectly fine as they are.

[GossamerApronStrings]

Full fat/whole milk Greek yogurt with honey (& ground almonds, if no nut allergy)
Apple slices with peanut butter
Crumpets/pancakes with peanut butter
Cheese quesadillas or tortilla crisps (could bake topped with cheese) & top with guacamole
Pretzels with peanut butter

What are his favourite foods?

[madmotherof2]

I have to give DS2 high fat foods as he's currently having chemotherapy And struggles with his appetite.

He likes cheese, fromage frais, roast chicken chopped up, peperamis. I use gold top milk ( Graham's from sainsburys)

DS hates the shakes that the dietitian gave him so she prescribed Maxigul (sp?!), it looks like icing sugar and has no taste or smell. Melts into most foods!

[chuffinalong]

Thanks everyone, I've got loads to suggest to my friend now.