High Energy Diet Sheet for Infants and Children

Please note, this page is printable by selecting the normal print options on your computer.

Introduction
This leaflet will give you advice on how to improve your child’s diet as well as giving you ideas for increasing the energy and protein content of foods. If your child has a problem with poor weight gain the following advice will help increase their calorie intake. Many infants and children go through phases of refusing to eat certain foods, or at times refusing to eat anything at all. Although it is a very worrying and frustrating time, this is very common and most children will go through this stage.

What’s going to help?
 Offer frequent meals and snacks e.g. 3 small meals a day with small snacks in between.
 Keep portion sizes small. Children with poor appetites can be put off by large amounts of food.
 Eat at the same time as your child if possible. Try and make meal times enjoyable social occasions.
 Use small, colourful and attractive plates and bowls.
 Do not allow children to fill up with drinks, as these may not be very nourishing and can reduce appetite e.g. fizzy drinks and juices.
 Offer drinks only after food has been offered first.
 Allow your child to be involved with the choice and preparation of the meal.
 Encourage your child to hold foods and feed themselves; it’s possible your child will eat more if they are in control.
 Many children are slow eaters, give your children the amount of time they need, but don’t prolong meals beyond 20 – 30 minutes.

High Energy, High Protein Foods
When a child has a small intake, it is important to ensure that the foods they are eating are high in energy and protein. Energy and protein are important to encourage growth and repair.

Milk and Dairy Foods
 Use full cream milk** in cooking and cereals
 Use full fat yogurts; they are an excellent snack food
 Full fat cheese is a good source of protein and energy
 Individual cheese portions can be given as a snack, on their own or with crackers

Meat and Alternatives
 All types of meat and fish are good sources of energy and protein
 Many children enjoy minced meat, sausages, chicken and fish fingers
 Choose tinned fish in oil instead of brine
 Eggs are high in protein and energy
 Try adding beans and lentils to cooked dishes to increase the protein content
*Full cream milk should not be given as a main drink to children under 1 year of age. Breast or formula milk can be used instead

How to fortify foods
Sometimes children find it difficult to eat large quantities of food therefore it is important to fortify their foods to ensure they are receiving adequate energy and protein.
ADD grated cheese, full cream milk, butter, spread or cream to soup, sauces or mashed potato
ADD grated cheese, baked beans, margarine or butter to baked potato
ADD dried fruit, yogurt, cream, jam or honey** to breakfast cereals or puddings
ADD cream, grated cheese to scrambled eggs
*Honey should not be given to children under 1 year

Nourishing Drinks
Offering your child a nourishing drink is another useful way to maximise their energy and protein intake. However, make sure to offer the drink after food has been offered, to avoid making your child feel full up.

 Hot drinks made with full cream milk and whipped cream e.g. hot chocolate, Ovaltine and Horlicks
 Milkshakes made with full cream milk and/ or ice cream
 Smoothies made with yogurt, fruit and ice cream

High Energy and Protein Meal and Snack Ideas

Breakfast
 Cereal with full fat milk and sugar or honey
 Cereal and full fat yogurt
 Bread or toast with butter, margarine, jam, peanut butter or chocolate spread
 Pancakes, muffins, scones, croissants with butter, margarine, jam or honey
 Eggs – scrambled, boiled or poached with butter or cheese
 Bacon or sausage with baked beans

Lunch
 Baked beans on toast with margarine and cheese
 Sandwiches with meat filling, cheese, egg, peanut butter or fish
 Mini pizzas with extra cheese or meat
 Cheesy omelettes
 Toasties with ham and cheese, baked beans and cheese, chicken and mayonnaise

Evening meal
 Fried chicken with vegetables, mashed potatoes with butter and cream
 Meat or vegetable curry with rice or naan bread
 Stew with extra meat, beans, pulses and potatoes
 Burger or sausage with beans and waffles
 Chicken nuggets or turkey shapes with chips and vegetables
 Spaghetti Bolognese with grated cheese and garlic bread
 Macaroni cheese with extra cheese and cream
 Shepherd’s pie (fortify the mashed potato if homemade) or cottage pie with chips and beans

Finger Foods
 Cocktail Sausages
 Cheese strings/ pieces of cheddar
 Mini pizzas
 Breadsticks
 Strips of toast with butter, honey, chocolate spread, peanut butter, hummus, cream cheese, avocado
 Chunks of avocado or banana
 Fish fingers
 Biscuits/crackers
 Miniature sandwiches; cut up into pieces
 Dried fruit e.g. dried apricots, sultanas

Don’t Forget!
 Always incorporate fruit and vegetables on a regular basis. These are important for vitamins and minerals, despite being lower in energy. They can also be added to a higher energy / protein food e.g. strawberries and cream, fruit and yogurt, fruit and jelly.
 Always look after your child’s teeth, especially when eating sugary snacks and drinks. To keep your teeth healthy, try to keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes and brush at least twice a day.