My daughter is very thin despite eating well balanced meals. What sort of foods are most suitable to keep up with her high energy needs?
A. When energy needs are high and the appetite is small it is necessary to focus on energy-dense foods. This allows your daughter to consume a relatively large amount of kilojoules in a small volume of food. Milkshakes, yoghurt, nuts, dried fruit, cheese, juice and spreads such as peanut butter, jam and honey are examples of nutrient-dense and energy-dense foods. Encourage your daughter to snack regularly and to consume fluids such as juice, milk and cordial which provide energy as well as fluid. Avoid filling up on high fibre foods such as wholegrain cereal products, raw vegetables and fruit. These foods should be included in the diet but if your daughter eats too many high fibre foods, she will find it difficult to consume all the kilojoules she needs. Replace some wholegrain products with white, replace some high fibre breakfast cereal with lower fibre options and replace some fresh fruit with tinned.
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