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    MJ & Hungryman » Feeding tips

    Best Weight Gain Foods for Babies and Toddlers

    By Min On July 8, 2022, Updated August 3, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    A four image collage showing how to add extra calories to oatmeal, yogurt, sweet potatoes, and quinoa.

    Here are the top foods to help your baby or toddler gain weight. All of these are high calorie whole foods that can be easily added to your child's food to make it more filling and delicious.

    A six image collage of weight gain meals for babies and toddlers.
    Jump to:
    • Does your child need to gain weight?
    • Best Solid Foods for Babies to Gain Weight (6 months and up)
    • Weight Gain Foods for one year old and beyond
    • Nutrition Supplement for Weight Gain
    • Tips for Adding High Calorie Foods
    • High Calorie Baby Food Recipes (and for toddlers)

    Does your child need to gain weight?

    First, it's important to determine if your child is indeed underweight and in need of intervention.

    There are so many factors that influence how your child grows, such as genetics (that's a HUGE one), nutrition, environment, and activity.

    So when you find yourself comparing your child with how other babies are growing, please remind yourself that every child is unique. Healthy babies come in all shapes and sizes.

    If your child is in the 10th percentile, this doesn't mean they're doing better or worse than your friend's child who is in the 70th percentile. 

    You can rest assured that your child is getting adequate nutrition and growing properly if they're maintaining a usual and predictable pattern of growth on the curve.

    On the other hand, if you start to see flattening of the curve or dips, or your child seems to always be hungry, these high-calorie, high-fat foods will help them with healthy weight gain.

    Top Foods for 8 Month Old

    Best Solid Foods for Babies to Gain Weight (6 months and up)

    1. Breast milk and/or Infant Formula
    2. Avocado
    3. Banana
    4. Beans
    5. Beef
    6. Butter *
    7. Chicken thighs or drumsticks
    8. Coconut
    9. Eggs *
    10. Full-fat Dairy products * (whole milk, cheese, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc.)
    11. Lentils
    12. Peanut Butter *
    13. Nuts *
    14. Nut or Seed Butter * (e.g. almond, cashew, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed)
    15. Oils (avocado, olive oil, sesame oil *)
    16. Potatoes (both white and sweet potato)
    17. Whole grains, like Quinoa
    18. Salmon *
    19. Sardines *
    20. Seeds (hemp, chia, sesame, pumpkin, or flax seeds *)

    Note: Foods with * by them are one of the top allergens. When first introducing, be sure to serve a tiny amount.

    Weight Gain Foods for one year old and beyond

    2 bear wooden plates laid side by side with left one showing what you think your child needs vs. what your child needs on the right

    Continue serving all of the foods listed above. However, you may find that it's becoming more challenging to feed your toddler who seems to be showing less interest in eating and displaying picky eating tendencies.

    Be sure to read my top foods for 1 year old post to better understand and help navigate through this tricky feeding phase.

    My top tips for feeding your underweight child is:

    • Make every effort to include high-calorie, high-fat foods as much as possible
    • You might be tempted to offer high calorie foods, like ice cream, soft drinks, juice, pizza, milkshakes, etc. And while it might add a few pounds to your child, those foods will not provide the nutrients they need for healthy growth.
    • Instead, focus on serving nutritious meals with essential nutrients. You want to add extra calories not empty calories.
    • Feed them every 2-3 hours.
    • If your child doesn't eat much during mealtimes, you may consider providing up to 3 snacks, including a bedtime snack for additional calories.
    • Consider snacks as mini-meals so your child gets up to 6 eating opportunities to consume adequate calories and nutrition.
    • Don't pressure them to eat - it will only backfire and can actually shut down their appetite.

    Here are some specific tips on how to help your underweight child.

    Nutrition Supplement for Weight Gain

    Many families turn to these as they are a convenient way to boost calories and nutrients to support weight gain. My personal recommendation is to focus on food first.

    However, if your child is really struggling, then talk to a dietitian or health care provider to find the type that is most appropriate for your child.

    Tips for Adding High Calorie Foods

    Babies and toddlers have small tummies so it's important to try to make every bite count with healthy fats and important nutrients.

    But this doesn't mean you have to spend all of your hours and energy in the kitchen.

    Here are some super easy ways to help your baby gain weight.

    A four image collage showing how to add extra calories to oatmeal, yogurt, sweet potatoes, and quinoa.
    1. Yogurt with
      • hemp seeds and banana
      • mashed avocado and chia seeds
      • peanut butter and cooked quinoa
      • flaked salmon or sardines
    2. Toast with
      • mashed beans and tahini
      • almond butter, banana, and unsweetened coconut flakes
      • mashed avocado and hemp seeds
    3. Oatmeal or lentils with
      • hummus
      • mashed avocado and beans
      • eggs and sweet potatoes
    4. Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
      • with butter and cheese
      • with minced chicken or beef and yogurt
      • added as a quesadilla filling with cheese
    5. Eggs
      • fried in olive oil
      • scrambled in butter with quinoa
      • scrambled egg avocado sandwich
    6. Smoothies with avocado, peanut/nut butter, seeds, milk, or yogurt
    7. Cook vegetables in extra oil, butter, tahini, etc. You can also serve them with high-calorie dips like nut butters, yogurt, guacamole, bean dips, etc.

    High Calorie Baby Food Recipes (and for toddlers)

    In addition to the simple ideas above, here are some actual recipes that can help your child gain weight while learning to enjoy a wide variety of flavors and textures.

    Breakfast

    Single Serve Chia Puddings for Babies and Kids
    Single serve chia seed pudding for babies 6 months and up is the perfect make ahead breakfast or snack that you can whip up in under 5 minutes!
    Get the recipe
    collage of six puddings
    Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies
    These super moist sweet potato cakes made with just 5 simple ingredients, including chickpeas, oats, and chia seeds, are perfect for babies and toddlers.
    Get the recipe
    three sweet potato cookies for babies stacked on a wooden board
    Peach Banana Smoothie
    Creamy and perfectly sweet, this 5-minute, high-protein peach banana smoothie is the perfect breakfast or snack for the whole family!
    Get the recipe
    Peach smoothie in a glass jar.
    Banana Overnight Oats
    These banana overnight oats are a perfect make ahead breakfast or snack option for babies, kids, and adults alike!
    Get the recipe
    overnight oats with sliced banana, ground walnuts in a bowl.
    Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookies
    Made without flour and sugar, these peanut butter chickpea cookies are so easy to make with just 5 ingredients.
    Get the recipe
    Baked cookie with a bite taken out of it.
    Healthy Yogurt Muffins
    Light, fluffy, and incredibly moist, these whole wheat greek yogurt muffins are made with just a handful of ingredients and can be flavored in so many ways!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of sliced yogurt muffin.
    Banana Peanut Butter Sandwich
    Invite fun and variety into the classic banana peanut butter sandwich by grilling and adding unexpected but delicious ingredients that kids and adults will enjoy!
    Get the recipe
    three variations of peanut butter sandwich stacked.
    Green Smoothies for kids
    These healthy green smoothies for toddlers and kids are super easy to make and can be enjoyed as a quick breakfast or snack.
    Get the recipe
    three green smoothies in glass jars for kids with various toppings surrounding them.
    Peanut Butter Cheerio Cereal Bars
    These no-bake peanut butter cheerio bars are so easy to make with pantry ingredients! They are the perfect breakfast or snack for kids.
    Get the recipe
    a square cereal bar placed on toddler's palm.
    Greek Yogurt Smoothie
    Here's how to make any protein-packed Greek yogurt smoothie! With just the perfect amount of sweetness and creaminess, you can enjoy this thick smoothie for breakfast or as a quick snack any time of day.
    Get the recipe
    Three different Greek yogurt smoothies in glass jars.
    Vegetable Omelette
    Nutritious and easy to make, this baby-friendly omelette made with whatever veggies you have on hand is the perfect breakfast/snack for babies and toddlers!
    Get the recipe
    a lunchbox with omelette strips, freeze dried strawberries, roasted orange and purple sweet potatoes.
    Healthy Banana Recipes for Babies and Kids
    Transform plain ol' banana with these super fun and easy breakfast or snack ideas that you can make with your child!
    Get the recipe
    four banana roll ups with zucchini.
    Healthy Zucchini Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
    These zucchini oatmeal cookies are so easy to make with wholesome, minimal ingredients and no added sugar!
    Get the recipe
    Three stacked cookies.
    Avocado banana smoothie
    Creamy and filling, this avocado banana smoothie is so simple yet incredibly satisfying. Enjoy as a quick breakfast or energizing snack.
    Get the recipe
    Avocado smoothie in a glass jar with a straw and bananas and avocado in the background.
    Carrot Cake Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl
    Loaded with nutrition, this carrot oatmeal smoothie bowl is the perfect veggie smoothie (but thicker!) for babies, kids, and adults!
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of carrot cake smoothie bowl with ground walnuts, chia seeds, and coconut as toppings
    Vegetable Waffles with Peanut Butter
    EASY to make, healthy peanut butter vegetable waffles for babies and kids! A great way to enjoy more protein, fat, and veggies for breakfast.
    Get the recipe
    three stacked peanut butter waffles topped with banana and raspberries

    Lunch

    Vegan vegetable quinoa muffins
    Made with healthy ingredients like broccoli, carrots, and quinoa, these egg and dairy-free vegetable muffins with quinoa are perfect for baby led weaning and school lunchboxes.
    Get the recipe
    five cooked muffins on a white plate
    Chickpea Patties (gluten free)
    These flavorful chickpea patties with quinoa are easy to make with simple pantry staples. Shape them into patties or even nuggets
    Get the recipe
    a toddler's hand dunking the chickpea cakes in pizza hummus
    Scrambled Egg Sandwich
    Making a scrambled egg sandwich isn't hard. But here are some simple tips to take this iconic breakfast to the next level!
    Get the recipe
    A toddler holding a mini bagel scrambled egg sandwich.
    Chicken pesto flatbread pizza
    This pesto flatbread pizza is the perfect busy weekday meal! It can be on the table in under 20 minutes with minimal effort and ingredients.
    Get the recipe
    a toddler holding a slice of flatbread pizza.
    Omelette Pizza
    Pizza eggs - your favorite pizza toppings, flavorful sauce, protein-rich eggs, and cheese all cooked to perfection in one pan. Enjoy for breakfast or any time of the day!
    Get the recipe
    Toddler's hand grabbing a slice of pizza eggs.
    Hummus Grilled Cheese
    10 minutes is all you need to whip up this exciting twist on a kid favorite lunch - grilled cheese. The simple addition of hummus will amp up flavor and nutrition.
    Get the recipe
    three stacked hummus grilled cheese.
    Easy Salmon Bean Salad
    This mayo-free, refreshing yet hearty salmon bean salad couldn’t be easier to make! You can serve with crackers, vegetables, bread, salad, cheese, or whatever you fancy!
    Get the recipe
    Curry Chicken Avocado Salad
    EASY, healthy curry chicken salad with avocado and vegetables for babies, kids, and adults! It's high in protein and perfect for a quick lunch at home and school lunchboxes.
    Get the recipe
    curry chicken avocado salad sliced into 5 small pieces with toddler's hand grabbing one
    Healthy Beef Meatballs
    These healthy beef meatballs are made with just 5 simple ingredients and are egg free and dairy free. Tender and flavorful, these are perfect for babies and kids of all ages!
    Get the recipe
    Six meatballs on a wooden board with toddler grabbing one.
    Mini Shepherd's Pie Muffins
    A quick and easy, baby and kid-friendly twist on an Irish classic comfort food, these mini shepherd pie muffins are filled with beef, vegetables and topped with creamy mashed potatoes
    Get the recipe
    six cooked mini Shepherd's PIe Muffins on a large white plate with a toddler hand grabbing one

    Dips

    Zucchini Pesto with Almonds
    Upgrade pasta with this simple and healthy zucchini pesto. It is light and creamy and can be ready in 15 minutes!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of pesto in a white bowl.
    Beetroot Pesto Pasta Sauce
    Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this beetroot pesto comes together in minutes and makes for the perfect pasta sauce for babies, kids, and adults!
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of pesto with a spoon
    Broccoli Hummus Dip
    If your child won't eat broccoli or you've been looking for different ways to serve it, give this hummus a try! It's also a great way to pack in a lot of nutrition for babies and kids.
    Get the recipe
    close up shot of broccoli hummus in a white bowl with drizzle of oil.
    Pumpkin Seed Spinach Hummus
    this spinach hummus with pumpkin seeds instead of tahini is a healthy snack or meal for babies and toddlers. It is so versatile and here are some ways to serve it to your family.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of the hummus in a white bowl with a spoon
    3 Ingredient Thai Peanut Coconut Sauce
    Made with just 3 ingredients, this Thai peanut sauce with curry paste and coconut milk is a great way to introduce spicy flavor to babies and kids.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of the sauce in a glass bowl with carrots, zucchini, and toast strips.
    Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Dip
    This creamy roasted cauliflower dip made with an ENTIRE head of cauliflower, tahini, and milk is super simple to make, delicious, and versatile. It will be an AWESOME way to make veggies exciting for kids!
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of cauliflower dip with fresh cilantro and a small pita triangle
    Beetroot Dip with chickpeas
    4 nutritious ingredients, a food processor/blender, and dippers are all you need for this smooth, creamy, and vibrant beetroot dip for babies and toddlers!
    Get the recipe
    beetroot dip in a large white bowl with a toddler's hand dipping broccoli

    Dinner

    Easy Bolognese with Vegetables
    This kid-friendly veggie-loaded meat sauce with ground beef and medley of vegetables is hearty, filling, and nutritious! 
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of cooked bolognese with a wooden spoon.
    Instant Pot Peanut Chicken and Broccoli
    Another EASY, 30 minute weeknight meal you can enjoy with your baby and kids! This Instant pot chicken and broccoli is also a great way to continue exposing your child to one of the top food allergens, peanuts.
    Get the recipe
    peanut chicken and broccoli served with barley on a blue plate with a a fork
    Creamy Broccoli Pasta
    In need of an easy weeknight dinner? 15 minutes is all it takes to make this healthy one pot creamy broccoli pasta
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of scooped broccoli pasta.
    No stir Quinoa Risotto with Mushrooms
    This 30 minute mushroom quinotto or quinoa risotto is much easier to make compared to traditional risotto and requires zero stirring!
    Get the recipe
    Mom, toddler, and baby's plates.
    Vegetarian Sweet Potato Lasagna with Quinoa
    This vegetarian sweet potato lasagna with quinoa requires no boiling of noodles and assembly couldn't be easier!
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of cooked lasagna in the baking pan with fresh basil.
    Thai Red Curry Pasta
    20 minutes and a handful of pantry items are all you need to whip up this super easy vegetarian Thai red curry pasta with vegetables.
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of cooked pasta twirled around a fork.
    Pizza Casserole with Couscous
    this pizza casserole is not only quick and easy to make but also nutritious, with ingredients like chicken, whole wheat couscous, and spinach!
    Get the recipe
    Chicken Spinach Pizza Couscous Casserole
    Beef Stuffed Shells with Veggies
    These stuffed shells with ground beef and vegetables are a hearty make ahead dinner or freezer meal for the whole family to enjoy!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of baked shells with fresh basil.
    Vegan African Peanut Stew
    This vegan African peanut stew is rich and flavorful and uses staple pantry ingredients. Made in one pot, requires minimal prep work, loaded with nutrition - It's an easy family meal! 
    Get the recipe
    cooked peanut stew in a Dutch oven with a large spoon
    Chicken Spinach Quinoa Casserole
    A baby and kid-friendly comfort meal you don't want to miss! This chicken spinach quinoa casserole with black beans is super easy to make and loaded with iron and protein.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of chicken quinoa spinach casserole.
    Low Sodium Baked Spaghetti Pie
    Baked spaghetti pie with ricotta that's healthy and easy to whip up. It's the perfect comfort food recipe for the entire family!
    Get the recipe
    Instant Pot Korean Chicken and Potatoes
    If you're in need of a quick and easy weeknight family meal, here's an Instant Pot Korean chicken and potatoes recipe that everyone, including babies, will enjoy!
    Get the recipe
    cooked chicken, carrots, potatoes with green onion inside an instant pot

    Do you want to minimize picky eating and set a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits?

    Check out this 3 month mastering self-feeding program! It’s the closest thing to me being in your kitchen

    Find out more!

    More Baby and Toddler Feeding Tips

    • Ultimate Guide to Finger Foods for Baby
    • Healthy Baby Snacks (Easy and Balanced)
    • Best Baby Cereal (2023)
    • Best Healthy Cereals for Kids

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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