putting on some weight | ADHD Information

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Nuts are good because they're really high in fat content and are an easy snack to carry around. Almonds seem to work well for me, and they come in a few different varieties: salted, smoked, honey glazed, etc. Half & half in place of milk is good too, due to the high fat/calorie content. Ensure and Boost are horrible and caused me digestive issues, but I reached a critical point where they became necessary. As much as I hate to admit it, though, they worked and sometimes I still have to use them to get back to a 'healthy' weight. (I'm in a constant struggle to maintain a minimum of 110 lbs, I'm 5'5 and non-medicated.) I find that chocolate Ovaltine mixed with half & half isn't nearly as horrible as Ensure or Boost and helps to keep my weight on. I also eat a lot of bananas because they're so easy

Since he eats a good breakfast, maybe you can add extra calories there: cheese and half & half mixed into scrambled eggs, butter instead of margarine on his toast, whipped cream and almond slices on his pancakes, etc. Maybe the nutritionist will have fun ideas.

His Dr, as well as is dad and I are concerned about his weight. He is 4'9 and weights 71 lbs. You can count his ribs and his arms look like twigs.

We have tried the protein shakes- he hated them-said they tasted like chalk. His meds do play a role. His biggest meal is breakfast, (before meds) he picks at food the rest of the day. He has a huge snack before bed(meds are off).

So, what I am wondering is if anyone knows of some kid friendly things that may put on some pounds. My son plays hockey, this is his second year of body contact so he himself would also like to add on some weight.

MrsRed38925.2996875

this isn't really an area I have any experience with as I've always battled my weight . My son is a eater but does okay weight wise.

My two cents though: as I have a friend whose child does face needing to add weight. She allows her child to help fix dinner. They make wheat pizza with cheese and various toppings quite often. She just tries to find healthy and nutritious kid friendly recipe's for her child and her to fix together. Her child becomes more interested in what she eats.

What about foods that are high protein?

beef, chicken, etc...

Another idea might be to contact a nutritionist.

We had to work with one because my son has reactive hypoglycemia. She was able to share a lot of ideas on how to add protein when feeding our son, fruits etc... as well as provide some kid friendly ideas.

I'm sure a nutritionist would have some creative ideas for you. Our nutritionist charged 5 for an hour but it was well worth the time we spent with her. We of course only had to pay because my insurance paid a portion. Our son was involved in the consultation and he is only 4 1/2. She was good with him and he really seemed to listen to her and helps me at the grocery store when looking for the right foods. Amazing how kids will take on ownership if they are given the opportunity.

I have taken him shopping and we've walked up and down the isle. I will buy whatever he has a craving for. One thing this did do, was he picked out some new fruit that I didn't know he liked ?

I have also hid yogurt and protein powder, and fruit in milkshakes.

Thanks for the 2 cents worth.

Any other ideas ????

Hi and welcome. My neighbor has a child that was so thin she quit growing. Her doctor prescribed something--I can't remember the name of it--it was a white powder to be added to a shake or smoothie. It was super high in calories and had no sweetness, I remember. Her daughter gained 3 lb. this summer since she started taking it. So maybe ask your doc if there is something he can prescribe.

It's been a long time since I've been on this site. Anyways, I am looking for ideas to help my son put on weight. He is 10 years old, and he is extremely tall and of course thin. I've looked on the web for help, but all I can find are ways to take weight off. Not quite what we are looking for.

We have been trying shakes, lots of peanut butter.......etc. any other ideas.

Thanks

Some ADHD kids are just thin, no matter what. My son is now 17 but he's
always been long and lean, just like me and just like my ADHD father. The
only way we can put on and keep on any weight is by consuming a lot of
calories and lifting weights, but I think 10 might be too young for this. I
wish I had a better answer-- I remember how hard it was to be the skinniest
girl at school, 13 years in a row. It's even harder for boys. .IMac38944.5296759259Hi there!

My son, 12, is thin as well. He just had a physical, and he is above average height and only 10 percentile in weight. The doc said, "one thing you can do to add protein and calories fairly easily is Carnation Instant Breakfast". There are several flavors; give it a try." I remember having that as a kid for breakfast when I was in a hurry.

Anyway, we bought the variety pack, so that he could taste them all. So far, he likes all but the vanilla.

I'm kind of paranoid about pushing the weight thing too hard, because a relative was pumped food as a child because she was too thin. She's been overweight for thirty years. Anyway, I think she was given a lot of fatty foods, nutrition was not really an issue.

Also, since he is so thin, while it is summer, I'm giving him more snacks. He admitted that he often gets hungry and just waits until mealtime. I think when they are so small they can only eat so much at a regular meal.

Good Luck!

Hi There,

My son is 10 years old and only weighs 58 pounds. I also can count ribs. He has been skinny his whole life- his doctor sent me to a nutritionist when he was about 3. She did have some good advice, but nothing I hadn't heard before in my desparate search! He just has no appetite at all. My father in law is 6'3" and only weights 135 pounds- so I know where he gets it from and that does calm me down a bit and stop thinking that I'm the worst mom in the world. When my son was diagnosed with ADD at 7, I was really worried he wouldn't be able to take meds because of the weight issue.

So I sympathize with you- it is so annoying that there is tons of information on how to hold down weight, but so very little on how to gain.

The standard advice is to throw butter on everything- of course, even though they are skinny, they can still develop high cholesterol, etc, so I always feel like I'm setting him up for a heart attack at 40, but we do use this strategy a little.

I second the idea of using Carnation Instant Breakfast- that is one thing that helped us a bit- if you go to their web site, they have recipes. I make a banana shake with the French Vanilla Carnation Instant breakfast and tofu- my son loves it and he has no idea there is tofu in there- I just haven't mentioned it, and I think he thinks its ice cream. We tried Ensure and Boost, but he hated them, and the Carnation Instant Breakfast he likes. It works to put dried milk in the shakes too like you do- my son just seems to be fond of the Carnation stuff. It also seems like I can get a shake in him when he doesn't feel like actually eating anything- somehow it is easier to get those calories down by drinking.

Another thing that others have suggested is Power Bars- they have extra protein. My son doesn't like them too well, but most kids love them.

I always have homemade zucchini and banana bread on hand so that if I can tempt his sweet tooth he'll get a little nutrition with it.

I wish I could give more suggestions, but at least know that you have my sympathy in dealing with this difficult problem.

My 11 year old was SO skinny there for a while and we gave her carnation instant bfast as "chocolate milk" it is higher in nutrients and calories...supposed to be a meal. It is worth a shot for you! It did work for us...our 11 yr old dd is now 5'2" and 95 lbs. She is supermodel material!! hee hee!