This post is sponsored by Go & Grow by Similac® via Mode Media. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.
It began at Little E’s 18-month well visit. Despite a bit of a rough start after being born three weeks early, he had been doing well reaching his developmental markers.
Little E was very active as a toddler, and pretty much as soon as he could crawl, and then walk, he wanted to be constantly on the move. The only problem was that he was also an exceptionally picky eater.
He loved eating fruits; in fact, I never had a problem getting things such as bananas, strawberries, or cantaloupe into him. It was just everything else that was a struggle. And by struggle, I mean there was screaming, crying, and food being thrown.
So when we went for his 18-month well visit, the doctor noticed that although Little E was getting taller, he wasn’t gaining any weight. Therefore, this threw off his growth curve. The doctor told us that we needed to begin making a concentrated effort to get him to gain weight.
At first, this seemed like a daunting task and I had no idea where to start, but with some guidance from the pediatrician we began making progress.
One of the first things we did was start giving him high-calorie, healthy foods. This may seem counterintuitive, but I’m not talking about giving him sweets or junk food. Instead, we gave him foods such as peanut butter, avocados, or even slathered his beans or broccoli in butter. Instead of choosing the no- or low-fat versions of foods such as yogurt, we instead chose the regular versions. This helped him put on the extra weight he needed.
Another tactic was to use some of these high-calorie foods in frequent snacks. This meant giving him peanuts and almonds as snacks, as well as avocados and peanut butter on crackers.
Using a toddler drink was another lifesaver during this time. By giving him a toddler drink, like Go & Grow by Similac®, I knew that he was at least getting his essential vitamins and nutrients. It was a comfort knowing that no matter how much I struggled with getting him to eat, and no matter how much food he threw on the floor, he was still getting nourishment.
I have come up with a lot of sneaky ways to make sure that Little E is getting all of the nourishment that he needs. One way I did this is through fruit smoothies. Both of them love fruit anyway, so I got creative and snuck Go & Grow by Similac® Mix-Ins™ into his foods. One of my favorites is the banana and peach smoothie. Plus, it is so easy to make!
Banana and Peach Toddler Smoothie
This is an extremely easy recipe. All you will need are:
- One banana (chilled)
- One cup of peaches, with juice (chilled)
- One packet Go & Grow by Similac® Mix-Ins™
- Blender
Cut a chilled banana into slices. Put the banana and peaches (along with the juice) into the blender. Mix until smooth.
Once the mixture is smooth, add in a packet of Go & Grow by Similac® Mix-Ins™ and blend again. Pour the mixture into a cup and drink with a straw! Your toddler will love the sweet taste, and each single-serving packet of Go & Grow by Similac® Mix-Ins™ allows you to add extra nutrition, including protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals to foods that your child already likes. Plus, you will love knowing that they are getting the nutrition they need.
So, moms of picky eaters, if you’re struggling getting your child to gain weight, take heart! Hopefully, some of my tips will be able to help you.
Comment On: Did you have a picky eater? What are some of your tips for getting them to eat healthy?
Go & Grow by Similac® Mix-Ins™ for food and Toddler Drinks are secret weapons for adding nutrition to toddler meals!
