When it comes to helping your toddler gain weight, it’s essential to focus on locally sourced, nutrient-rich foods that are delicious and beneficial for their overall health.
Below is a list of seven weight-gain foods and their recipes, ensuring that your little one receives the necessary calories, proteins, healthy fats, and essential nutrients for their growth and development.
1. Pap (Akamu)
Recipe: Prepare pap (akamu) according to the size you want.
Ingredients: Locally made pap (akamu), milk, honey.
Instructions: Prepare pap (akamu) using locally made pap mix.
Serve it warm, and add a splash of milk for extra calories and nutrients. Sweeten with a teaspoon of locally sourced honey if desired.
This nourishing porridge is an excellent choice for breakfast to support weight gain in toddlers.
2. Oats
For breakfasts, Oats are a fantastic choice to start the day.
Prepare a warm bowl of oatmeal according to the package instructions and blend it with a fruit puree made from bananas, apples, or watermelon.
Recipe: Cook oats according to package instructions.
Ingredients: Oats, fresh bananas, apples, or watermelon.
Instructions: Blend ripe fruits (bananas, apples, or watermelon) into a puree. Mix the fruit puree with the cooked oats for a delightful and nutritious breakfast.
This combination offers a delightful taste and provides nutrients and minerals to support your toddler’s healthy weight gain.
3. Nigerian Yam (Veggie yam mash):
Recipe: Peel and dice Nigerian yam into small cubes. Boil until tender.
Ingredients: Yam, Ugu (pumpkin leaves), carrots, tomatoes.
Instructions: In a separate pot, cook finely chopped vegetables such as Ugu, carrots, and tomatoes.
Mix the boiled yam with the cooked vegetables for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
4. Peanut Butter
Spread a generous amount on your bread to create delicious peanut butter sandwiches.
Add slices of banana or apple for an extra touch, providing additional nutrition and a delightful twist. Yummy!
5. Beans
Protein-Packed Moi Moi beans are a fantastic source of protein and are widely consumed in Nigeria.
Recipe: Soak beans overnight, then blend with peppers, onions, crayfish, and seasoning.
Ingredients: Beans, peppers, onions, crayfish.
Instructions: Blend the soaked beans with locally sourced peppers, onions, crayfish, and seasonings.
Pour the mixture into greased pans or leaves and steam until cooked.
Serve small portions of this protein-rich Nigerian Moi Moi as a nutritious meal or snack.
6. Avocado
Creamy and nutritious Avocado is a superfood that offers healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Prepare an avocado and banana smoothie by blending ripe avocados, bananas, and a splash of milk until smooth. You can add a tablespoon of honey for sweetness if desired.
Have You Read: Quick and Healthy breakfast ideas for children
Serve this creamy and nutritious smoothie in small cups, ensuring your baby receives a calorie-dense beverage.
7. Eggs: Mini Vegetable Omelettes
Recipe: Whisk eggs and add finely chopped local vegetables.
Ingredients: Eggs, bell peppers, tomatoes, and green leaves.
Instructions: Whisk eggs and mix in finely chopped locally sourced vegetables such as bell peppers, tomatoes, and green leaves.
To create mini vegetable omelettes, cook the mixture in small muffin tins or a non-stick pan.
These bite-sized protein-rich snacks will contribute to healthy weight gain.
The seven weight gain foods and recipes mentioned above offer a range of flavours and textures, ensuring that your little one receives the necessary calories, proteins, healthy fats, and essential nutrients for their growth and development.
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