Is Your Child Not Gaining Enough Weight? Try these

One of the most common concerns for mothers is whether their child is gaining enough weight or not. Underweight children are a perpetual concern for doctors and parents alike as being underweight predisposes the

child to a host of medical conditions. Balanced nutrition plays an integral role in healthy growth and development of a child.

The essential nutrients required for the proper growth of the child include the following:

1 . Minerals: are required for growth, repair, and regulation of body functions in small quantities like iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium

2 . Proteins: help in building, repairing, and maintaining the muscles, immunity, hemoglobin, etc. Most importantly, they are needed to build muscle mass which adds to weight gain.

3 . Vitamins: help in utilizing other nutrients and are vital for all metabolic functions of the body, although in microscopic quantities

4 . Fats: help in gaining weight and provide energy due to their high calorie content per gram of food.

5 .  Carbohydrates: contain sugars that provide instant energy.


FOODS THAT HELP IN HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN

1 . Bananas

Bananas are the most effective for helping gain weight. Whip up a banana milkshake with sugar or give 1-2 bananas a day to help put on weight. Bananas are rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. They

provide instant energy and help in building muscles and bones.

2 . Mangoes

Mangoes are high in sugar, vitamins, and minerals. Mango milkshake is a delicious way to get your dose of vitamin A, vitamin C, fibre, protein and calories on the road to gain weight.

3 . Eggs

Eggs are a complete source of protein, fat, and calories. Eggs help in building muscle mass and energy. Give your child at least 2 eggs daily- either boiled, as an omelette, bhurji, fried or any of the hundred ways it

can be eaten in.

4 . Potatoes

Potatoes a staple diet for Indians is also a rich source of calorie-loaded carbohydrates.

5 . Beans

Beans such as soy, kidney, black, and red are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, iron, and fiber. They can be easily eaten daily to pile on pounds.

6 . Ghee

Ghee is proven to be a healthy fat providing enough calories and nutrition as well. Ghee is recommended to be consumed across all age groups for nutritious benefits.

7 . Cheese

Cheese is one of the tastiest options for your child to gain weight. It is rich in fats, proteins, and calcium. Easily add it to just about anything and your child will happily eat it!

8 . Nuts

Nuts are rich in good fat, iron, proteins, and calories. Include peanuts, almonds, cashews, raisins, figs, and walnuts in your child’s daily snack regime or hand a fistful to eat while enroute to school. They can be easily

included in salads, milkshakes, sprinkled on ice creams, or crushed and added to milk if consuming them whole doesn’t go down too well with your child.

Other foods such as chicken, wheat bran, cashews, and pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, which help in improving appetite. Better the appetite, higher the calorie consumption, quicker the weight gain!

Fruits can treat your high blood pressure

High blood pressure is called a silent killer since it does not manifest any symptoms. The number of people suffering from high blood pressure has been increasing each year. Studies attribute the high number of blood pressure cases to increasing stress levels, unhealthy lifestyle,  poor dietary choices. There are some foods that naturally help to lower the blood pressure levels in addition to taking medicines:

1 . Bananas

Containing high amount of potassium which help in lowering blood pressure levels, bananas are a great option for people suffering from high blood pressure. Eat it whole or as part of breakfast cereal, smoothies, cakes or milkshakes

2 . Sweet Potatoes

This fiber-rich root is loaded with potassium and magnesium that helps maintain normal blood pressure levels and in proper kidney functioning. You can try out baked dishes, salads or sweet potato chips.

3 . Spinach

Being a nutrient powerhouse, spinach comes with high potassium and magnesium which lowers blood pressure. It is also high in fiber and calcium. Include it in salads, stir fry, sandwiches or as juice.


4 . Watermelon

This refreshing fruit has high fiber, antioxidants and amino acids that lower blood pressure. Eat it as a fruit, in salads or as juice in the morning with your breakfast.

5 . Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds have been gaining popularity as a healthy snack option but many might not know that this seed helps decrease your blood pressure levels too. It contains significant amounts of magnesium. Eat them as a snack but without salt to get the beneficial

6 . Beans

Beans are on the healthy foods list in general but they should be in high blood pressure patients diet lists for their blood-pressure lowering effects. Have all kinds of beans like red kidney beans, white beans, black beans as part of soups, as side dishes or as fillings in sandwiches and wraps.

7 . Berries

Berries have recently gained attention for the large amounts of anti-oxidants found in them. Besides this, berries also contain potassium and fibre that helps in lowering blood pressure.

8 . Quinoa

Having gained the status of a super-food quinoa comes loaded with protein and magnesium. Easy to cook and incorporate in diets, quinoa can be added to salads and other dishes as substitute to white rice.

Besides these foods, high blood pressure patients should reduce their intake of salt and avoid high salt foods like processed foods and fast food. Eat a healthy diet and say goodbye to problems of high blood pressure.