If you happen to be a parent to one of those kids who run away at the sight of their meal, then we can completely understand your concern.
There are all kinds of kids- from the fussy eaters to slow, dreamy eaters, the stallers and the junk lovers.
Here, at Baby Destination, we know that making kids finish their meal peacefully is nothing short of a dream.
However, it is important to realize that various factors such as constipation, slow growth rate, anemia, low level of zinc, excessive intake of dairy products, and sickness might be the underlying cause for all that hassle at the dining table.
Here’s a list of foods that will help increase your child’s appetite and make dining a peaceful experience.
A common household ingredient, cinnamon is used to prepare a number of dishes in India. According to experts, cinnamon is known to boost metabolism in not only babies and kids but also adults. The magic nutrient in cinnamon is hydroxychalcone that enhances appetite by cleaning up toxins. You can introduce this ingredient in your baby’s diet after six months of age by adding it in vegetables, kheer, porridge, hot chocolate, toasts, etc. Studies have also shown that cinnamon helps in considerably reducing sugar cravings (Candies, anyone?).
Loaded with the goodness of fiber, grapefruit is known to make bowel movements smooth and quick, thus solving the problem of constipation in your child. It also checks the insulin level in the body, thus aiding the weight loss process. What’s more, grapefruit also contains Vitamin C which aids in keeping the immune system healthy. If your child refuses to eat grapefruit directly, you can simply toss some of it in custard or a smoothie.
Ginger is a famous old wives’ hack for kick-starting the metabolism of toddlers and kids. Make sure you crush ginger properly using a grater and then toss some of it in buttermilk, porridge, veggies or other food items. Ginger (along with honey) is also used as an effective ingredient for treating cough amongst toddlers.
This might come off as a shocker but the oregano which is used as a seasoning to top the much-loved pizzas, pasta, and bread, is actually beneficial in boosting your child’s tiny appetite. To reap its maximum benefits, make sure that you use it as a topping on homemade dishes cooked with healthy ingredients. Can’t believe us? Try it out yourself.
If the image of a glass full of carrot juice traverses you back to your childhood days, let us tell you, you’re not alone. Experts suggest that this is one of the many essential items in the growing years of children. One glass of carrot juice half an hour prior to the meals is known to multiply hunger by increasing digestion. Apart from that, carrot juice also has a list of countless benefits such as better vision, protection from sun damage, immunity booster, prevention of cancer, better oral health and so on.
A common ingredient in Indian recipes, Ajwain is also known as carom and helps in stimulating hunger by increasing the bowel movements. It is also known to keep obesity at bay. You can introduce this magic ingredient in your baby’s diet after six months of age by mixing some of it in vegetables, paranthas, pastries, and bread. You can also add some of it in your baby’s drinking water. The results are surely going to be quick and clear.
Despite all its benefits, milk can actually decrease your child’s appetite if consumed in excess amounts. You can instead switch milk with curd to make sure that your baby’s diet remains intact. Toss in some mint leaves as mint is known to ease the intestines from indigestion and clean them. This little accessory to your baby’s meals can actually become his top favorite. Introduce it into your kid’s diet only after nine months of age. If your child does not like the smell of curd, you can try giving him mint tea.
Kids love juices and do not even fuss while consuming them. If your child happens to have a poor appetite, you can try giving him a glass of lemon juice daily in the morning. Lemon is known to keep things flowing smoothly inside our stomach. To reap maximum benefits, prepare lemon juice using lukewarm water and honey. This is also a great solution for obesity in kids.
Bid goodbye to your kid’s poor appetite by adding asafoetida (hing) to his meals. This magical spice can be found in almost every kitchen and solves stomach related problems such as bloating, indigestion, intestinal worms, intestinal gas, irritable bowel syndrome, and flatulence. Introduce it into your kid’s diet by adding a teaspoon of it into vegetables, curries, khichdi or buttermilk. The best way to consume hing is by adding a pinch of it in warm water. Make your child drink this solution on an empty stomach daily and watch how his diet gets back to normal.
The sacred tulsi leaves also serve a purpose other than just ornamenting the entrance of your home. Tulsi leaves are known to cure digestive problems like an upset stomach, vomiting, burning sensation, cholera, and so on. It can be given to kids at eight months of age in the form of a drink known as tulsi tea. For best results, prepare tulsi tea using warm water, fresh tulsi leaves, ginger, and lemon.
Despite trying all the remedies, if your child’s appetite still falls below the normal threshold, you must consult a pediatrician for sound treatment.
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