5 Ways to Help Your Child Grow Big and Strong

Many parents worry about their child's weight. If you're concerned that your child might be underweight, you're not alone — this is a common question.

Some children are naturally slender. Being truly underweight — where a child needs to gain weight for health reasons — is different. Your child's doctor or WIC nutritionist can help you understand which applies to your child.

If your child needs to gain weight and there's no medical cause, these strategies can help.

5 Simple Nutrition Habits for Growing Kids

1. Don’t force or bribe your child.

Forcing or bribing your child to eat usually backfires and makes things more challenging. As the parent, you decide when, where, and what foods to offer. Your child decides if and how much to eat.

2. Keep a consistent routine.

Kids are more likely to eat when meals and snacks happen at the same time every day. Create a schedule and stick to it.

3. Choose nutrient-dense foods.

Serve filling foods that provide lots of nutrition in every bite. Focus on foods with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Some good options:

Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (fiber)
Meat, beans, eggs, nut butters (protein)
Avocado, olive oil, low-fat dairy (healthy fats)

4. Offer new foods often.

Your child may need to see a new food multiple times before they want to try it. Keep offering it without pressure. One good way to do this is by eating the same foods you're serving your child.