Teen is a terrible eater-just go for calories

[Trimbleton]

My teen DD (16) is an awful eater. She’s just disinterested in food generally and would live on cereal, biscuits, grapes, crackers etc and unless each meal is put in front of her she doesn’t eat it. She eats the porridge I prepare in the morning, usually just popcorn or something for lunch and for dinner she will usually eat what I cook for the family.
She is quite underweight, and I am wondering should I be trying to get calories into her whatever way I can - takeaways etc.

I don’t suspect an eating disorder. She would happily eat a McDonald’s most days if I put it in front of her

Is she having a daily vitamin and mineral, particularly one high in iron and calcium as she may have anaemia which can affect appetite.

How is she otherwise? Is she depressed at all?

And what does she do exercise wise? Could you both do a class together or go swimming? That would probably make her hungry.

Is she at school or college?

Two of my DC are like this. One also had serious allergies which made them more wary of food. Was referred to dietitian by hospital for one and I do remember being encouraged to get him to eat cake as it was calories and was a bit more nutritious than chocolate. The thinking being cake contained eggs. So if you want to add calories that's an idea

What I have observed in my DC is what I suspect is the part of the brain that tells me I should eat is not as responsive in their brain. Their DF is similar. They are just not that interested in food. They like my cooking so I would try to cook their favourites but their portions are always on the small side.

Can you dress up the porridge a bit - bigger portion, nuts/granola on top, higher cal fruit like banana?

Where is she eating lunch? Can you put together a little shelf of breakfast bars/dried fruit/prepacked croissants/mini cheddars etc that she can throw in her bag on the way to school/college?

How about desserts - keep a stock of her fave mini cheesecake/trifle/yogs in the fridge and make a habit of passing her one after dinner?

None of that is super healthy I know but it might be better than more takeaways! I'd also look at her fave McDonalds bits and see if you can DIY it - no teen I've met has said no to chicken nuggets if wafted under their nose 😂

That doesn't sound so bad. I guess it all depends on how underweight she is and what size the portions are.

Being underweight doesn't mean unhealthy. Eg I have always had a bmi of 17/18. I don't look unhealthy I'm just tall and naturally a size 6 and have never had any deficiencies or period problems - I'm just naturally slim. Maybe your daughter is the same?

Does she have energy? Does she look wan/tired? If she's otherwise well I wouldn't worry too much about being underweight. But I woukd encourage increased nutrition - a smoothie with the porridge or add nuts, fruit, seeds to porridge. Then as diverse and varied dinner as you can make - I try quite hard to do the 30 plant based foods a week thing, a big part of which is thinking about how to add different veg to different meals, adding mixed salads, bags of mixed nuts etc.

Agree with a pp that ready foods she can take to school are good too. Protein/nut bars, yoghurt etc.

Can you add something else to breakfast? Porridge is healthy and low calorie. Would she eat toast and peanut butter or something as well?

Where is she eating lunch that she's only eating popcorn? If she eats when you put it in front of her, would a packed lunch help? A cheese sandwich and chocolate/biscuits would increase calorie intake.

I wouldn't worry too much about not having much for lunch if she has breakfast and dinner. Though I'd try and encourage her to take a sandwich from home if possible. Lack of lunch possibly affecting her concentration/learning in the afternoon would be my main concern.

Some great ideas here thanks. Cake is a good call and she loves peanut butter so adding them in will help I think.

She does play sport a couple of times and week and is in school and has a pt job do she is pretty active. I think it is just a total disinterest and a tendency to be slight anyway. Her sister is quite different though and eats all around her

If she's underweight calorific food is really good for her so encourage as many biscuits, crisps, cakes as you can. Take aways are also perfect, pizza is the best.

When my dd was underweight i added in a high calorie pudding after dinner every day, sponge pudding and cream, cheesecake, tiramisu etc.

Eating disorders don't always look like eating disorders so be mindful that this could still be an ED but not a typical presentation.

If she needs you to make and give her the food then do so, you can worry about encouraging independence at some other point.

You can make up calories in porridge by making it with double cream and adding a banana in.

I’d take her to the GP and ask for a referral for dietrician; giving her lots of unhealthy foods aren’t the answer here. Think of it as if you were trying to get a toddler to gain weight; you’d go for more full fat options but not saturated fats for example

This sounds fine, except for the popcorn for lunch bit. She’s 16. I wouldn’t expect her to be cooking herself 3 course meals and it’s actually not really a bad thing that she’s not constantly grazing on junk food all day. Just provide her with nutritious meals and maybe shove an extra snack or smoothie in front of her after school (not cake). Not everyone feels the same about food. Some people just eat to live, which is better than binge eating loads of processed junk. I’d try to get her more involved in cooking somehow so at least she has skills as a young adult to make some basic meals that she’ll eat. Teach her how to make porridge for example and experiment with different toppings.