Super Healthy Weight Gain Foods for babies & kids

Do you worry that your baby is not gaining weight properly? Welcome to the club! A study says that 85 % of Moms fret over their baby’s weight and are always searching for healthy weight gain foods for their babies.

So what is a worried Mom to do? Simple, the solution for it is:

” Look at the Baby, Not the scales “

It sounds very simple, but very difficult to follow!

I have seen Moms whose babies look healthy, feed well and reach all their milestones properly but who still worry about their baby not gaining weight. They forget that the weight of the baby also depends on the genetic constitution of the parents.

1. Milk

If you are breastfeeding then breast milk is the best choice up to 1 year and after 1 year 3 servings of cow’s milk can be given.

2. High calorie energy dense nutritious foods

Instead of fatty foods, high calorie energy dense foods increases weight without increasing the bad fat in the baby. If high calorie non nutritious fat foods (like ice cream, chocolates, processed food) are given, then it will create poor eating habits which will be difficult to change later.

3. Banana

Banana can be given to infants after 6 months of age. Banana is rich in dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C and very good source of Vitamin B6, and is a energy dense nutritious food.

Banana can be introduced as Banana Puree then after 8 months it can be given as pancakes, can be mixed in porridge and after a year as banana muffins.

If you are worried about giving banana during cold , then our Raw Kerala Banana Powder is a life saver, it is both nutritious and weight gaining food for babies.

4. Peach

Peaches can be given after 6 months of age. Peaches are rich in dietary fiber, niacin, Vitamin A and particularly a good source of Vitamin C.

Peach can be given as purees after 6 months and after 1 year as smoothies and milkshakes.

5. Pear

Pear can be given as one of the first solid foods of baby and helps in weight gain. Pear is one of the fruit that is very rich in Iron and is also a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.

Pear can be given as Pear Puree, Apple Pear Puree with cinnamon twist, and after 8 months pear can be added in pancakes.

6. Peas

Peas can also be given after 6 months. Peas are among the most nutritious vegetables that can be introduced as baby’s first solid food. It is very high in dietary fiber, thiamine, vitamin C and high in magnesium, niacin, phosphorous and Vitamins A, B6.

Peas can be given as Peas Puree, Peas Khichdi and as Vegetable soup.

7. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are an excellent first food for the baby. It can be given from 6 months of age.

Sweet Potatoes are very low in saturated fat, high in dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamin B6 and very high in Vitamin A and C. They can be given as purees, sweet potato khichdi, pancake and as soups.

8. Plain meats

Chicken can be introduced after 8 months of age. Chicken is rich in niacin, phosphorous, magnesium, Vitamin B6 and B12, also it is rich in cholesterol too, so the chicken can be given once a week to babies.

Chicken flesh pieces can be either boiled or given as chicken puree, chicken stew, chicken soup, chicken rice. You can also make chicken stock and use it in baby’s dishes.

9. Ghee

Our Desi Ghee is one of the best weight gaining food source. Ghee can be added in almost all the food that the baby takes after 7 months, with around 1 tsp of ghee per meal. Start with few drops of ghee at first and slowly increase the quantity. Ghee can sometimes be very heavy for the baby, so please be moderate in its usage. For best results, make your own homemade ghee that is free of preservatives and chemicals.

10. Cheese

Cheese can be given after 8 months. Cheese is rich in phosphorous, calcium and selenium.

Cheese cut as slices make a perfect finger food; you can also try serving fruit salad with cheese to your baby.

11. Dry fruits

Dry fruits include almond, pistachio, fig, cashew are energy dense and non-fattening.

The dry fruits can be powdered and mixed in almost all the foods, other forms by which it can be given are almond milk, dry fruit snack bar, dry fruit laddu.

You can either make the dry fruits powder at home with this recipe or order homemade dry fruits powder online.
Please note, dry fruits may cause allergy in some babies, follow the 3 Day Rule while introducing any new food.

12. Whole Wheat

Mostly wheat is not considered as a weight gaining food by many, but using whole wheat in baby foods has shown a steady weight gain in babies. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber with low fat.

Whole wheat can be given as Wheat Cereal, Wheat Soya Porridge, Wheat Kheer, Whole Wheat pancakes, Wheat porridge, Wheat Almond Porridge, Wheat Green gram Porridge.

Another way to get the benefits of whole wheat is through broken wheat, also called ‘dalia’.

You can also whip up an entire baby meal in a jiffy with Instant Dalia Mixes. A boon for days when you don’t have the time or energy to cook. You can make these at home or easily order homemade Instant Wheat Dalia Elaichi Mix and Instant Wheat Dalia Moong dal Mix online.

13. Oats

Another food that indirectly causes weight gain in babies is Oats. Oats is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in manganese, magnesium, thiamine and phosphorus. Oats is the only cereal containing legume like protein.

Oats can be given as Oats Porridge, Oats Kheer, Apple Oats Porridge, Oats pancake, Oats fruit Dosa.

Get 100% Organic oats for your Baby delivered at your doorstep.

14. Avocado

Avocado can be given after 6 months. Avocado is rich in dietary fiber and low in saturated fat.

Avocado can be given as puree, and after 1 year as milk shakes and smoothies.

15. Ragi

Ragi or Finger Millet is one of the best weight gaining foods. It is rich in dietary fiber, protein, Vitamin B1, B2, B6.

Ragi can be given to your baby in any of these forms:

• Ragi Porridge
• Apple Ragi Porridge
• Ragi Cake
• Ragi Dosa
• Ragi Idli
• Ragi Ladoo
• Ragi Kheer
• Ragi Roti
• Ragi Cookies

16. Homemade Cerelac or Sathumaavu Health Mix

Home made cerelac is another excellent weight gaining food. It combines the goodness of cereals, nuts and pulses to form a wholesome healthy food.

17. Olive Oil

Olive oil has high monosaturated fat than other oils and is healthy option over other vegetable oils. The baby’s food can be prepared with  virgin olive oil..

18. Potatoes

Potato makes an excellent first food for babies. It has a soft consistency, is easily mashable and is also the least allergenic food.Start with a small quantity as some babies may develop tummy upset due to gas.

The potato is rich in minerals, vitamins and also an assortment of phytochemicals such as carotenoids and natural phenols. Potatoes are best known for their carbohydrate content, with a medium sized potato containing about 26 gms.

Potato can be given as puree, in khichdi or in soup.

19. Eggs

Eggs can be given after 8 months of age. Start with the yellow first, and introduce the white later as the proteins in the white yolk tend to cause allergies in children.

20. Virgin Coconut oil

Coconut oil helps in weight gain and easy digestion in babies. It can be added while cooking baby food.

21. Multigrain Health Drink Powder

No, we’re not talking about the store bought health drinks, but a health drink powder that is made with whole grains and lentils and are completely free of harmful additives and preservatives. This is also a good option for fussy toddlers.

Recipes to make Nachni/ Ragi Porridge for babies, toddlers

Ragi or Nachni or finger millet is a powerhouse of nutrition.Ragi is a rich source of calcium and potassium as well as iron. It is gluten-free and, low in fat and is thus easy to digest

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Nutrition Summary for 100 gms of raw ragi
Total Calories	378
Protein	11 g
Fat	0.4 g
Carbohydrate	72.9 g

India is the biggest producer of ragi and still in many parts of India this cereal is virtually unknown. I grew up in North India and was unaware of this wonder cereal. When we moved to Bangalore, I came to know of its existence. Karnataka being the highest producer of Ragi, it is used widely. When my daughter was born, everyone from my baby’s pediatrician to friends to my well-meaning day helper suggested me to introduce ragi to her. I wanted to as well, but the recipe that was given to me appeared too complicated to a novice, with washing, sprouting, drying then milling. Now of course, it  does not look as daunting.

Traditional Recipe – Malted Ragi porridge for babies

agi porridge is made by ragi seeds or ragi powder.Its better to use seeds because powder available in markets might be adulterated(harmful for babies).

1) Wash ragi thoroughly and put them under sun for drying.

2) You can keep the dried grains in a jar for later use too.

3) Soak the required amount of ragi seeds overnight ((quantity is your choice,1 tablespoon would be enough for a 6 month old)

4) The next day drain them and put them under the sun for drying.

5) The more they dry, the easier it is to crush them.

6) Grind the seeds in a mixer well with little water.

7) With the help of a strainer,extract the juice only after grinding, it would be a white coloured mucuous like substance.

8) Boil this with required quantity of water till it thickens and becomes shiny.

9) Make sure you keep stirring else it can get burnt.

10) After it thickens, add sugar or jaggery.

11) Mix well & serve in spoonable consistency.

Now for the two recipes that I have been using at my home. They might be a little unconventional but I like to go with my instincts and the results are quite good.     

Sweet Ragi porridge for Babies made with sprouted Ragi/ Nachni flour

When I brought the ragi flour, I realized it’s consistency was like atta., so I decided to make it like we make suji or atta halwa, but consistency is thinner and porridgy.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon ghee

2 tsp sprouted ragi flour

1 teaspoon grated jaggery

1 cardamom pod – powdered

1-2 Almonds chopped

Water/milk as required

Recipe

In a pan, heat ghee and roast ragi flour till you get a little roasted aroma. Keep stirring continuously.

Once roasted, take off heat and let it cool.

Once slightly cool, add 1 cup water and mix well using a whisk. It is best to mix well when cool and then put back on heat. I learnt it the hard way as it becomes very lumpy if you put water on hot flour, just like atta.

Put back on heat and cook while whisking constantly.

Add grated jaggery and keep cooking. This will take 2-3 minutes to thicken.

Add cardamom powder and take off from heat.

Add milk to adjust the consistency. If your child is finicky about lumps like mine, pass it through a sieve.

Garnish with chopped almonds

Yummy, easy and ready in a jiffy porridge. 

Sweet ragi porridge for babies is ready in just a few minutes.

Savoury Ragi porridge for babies made with sprouted Ragi/ Nachni flour

Ingredients

1 tsp ghee

2 tsp sprouted ragi flour

Salt to taste

½ tsp sugar

Water as required

1 tsp homemade curd

Recipe

Like for sweet porridge, roast the ragi flour in ghee and keep aside to cool.

Once slightly cool, add 1 cup water and mix well using a whisk. It is best to mix well when cool and then put back on heat. I learnt it the hard way as it becomes very lumpy if you put water on hot flour, just like atta.

Put back on heat and cook while whisking constantly.

Add sugar and salt and keep cooking. This will take 2-3 minutes to thicken.

Take off heat and pass through a sieve to get rid of any lumps.

Once slightly cool, add curd and mix well.

The savoury ragi porridge for babies is ready. This is how my little one likes it, but you could make it tastier by tempering with mustard seeds and curry leaves like upma for older kids.