...my son actually asked me tonight if I'd get online and ask my "friends" if they could help w/meal or snack ideas for him. He's VERY tall, just under 6' and still growning, and only weighs about 135. He's way too thin. He DOES work out, though not regularly. He's strong...he has good sized muscles for his overall size...lol.
Anyway, big problem is: he's a VERY picky eater. Till now, he's subsisted on: cold cereal, bagels w/cream cheese, pizza rolls (occasionally), applesauce, and McChicken or other fast-food type chicken tenders, etc!!! He is NOT a meat eater, only eats chicken and then it must be PLAIN...absolutely no seasoning or sauces, etc. He does not like Beef or Pork except he does like Bacon. Doesn't eat veggies either. Does like some fruits. He's not real big on sweet either, before anyone makes the assumption that he perhaps spoils his appetite with the like. He does like chips, etc., but I don't have 'em in the house but rarely, so he's not eating that kind of crap either. He likes eggs, scrambled, but is VERY picky and mostly will only eat those when at a restaurant---not from home. He does like cheese and occasionally will eat turkey and/or chicken breast from the deli.
Lately he's been making and drinking protein shakes----he makes 'em w/a protein mix & adds fresh banana, ice cream, and some frozen berries or other frozen fruit. He seems to like these. He's looking to ADD some weight, because I think if he does, his active metabolism and the fact that he likes to work out will help turn that into muscle.
Any ideas/thoughts???
TIA from
Shelly & Tyler
1|1|One of my sons wanted to gain some weight for football, got some great ideas from his coaches and trainer on healthy weight gain :)|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|20:25:57|01/07/2009|
Posted on Jan-07-09 at 08:25 PM (Eastern) by 98.213.161.195
They focused on protein sources for healthy, muscle weight gain....the protein shakes he is drinking is a good start, and that he adds other healthy items like bananas, etc is great :) My son LOVES the smoothies I make him---1 8oz yogart any flavor, 5-6 ice cubes, 1/2c or so of frozen fruit (he likes strawberries, blueberries, peaches the best), 6 oz of juice of choice (just try to make the yougart, juice and fruit added 'match', for example, I'll use a strawberry yougart with frozen strawberries and add either apple or orange juice---100% juices, no sugar added) He can add some protein powder to that if he wants, blend it up and it's really thick and creamy like a smoothie or shake.
The coach and trainer also suggested peanut butter (see if he likes the natural peanut butters like Smuckers to cut down on sugar and 'fillers'), so try pb on bagels, English muffins, whole wheat tortillas (roll up with other stuff like a banana, jelly, etc). If he likes beans at all, turkey chili is a great source of protein.
String cheese and 1/3 less fat cream cheese are two other foods they suggest for protein...if he likes cottage cheese, that is good too.
Fruits that were most suggested were oranges, apples, bananas (although no more than one banana a day), and grapefruit. Grapes are ok once or twice a week, but are higher in sugars.
If he likes bacon, see if he likes turkey bacon....still has the protein without all the saturated fats and less sodium. Grilled or roasted chicken is good, stay away from salt and use more herbs and spices. If he doesnt like to eat a piece of meat, try incorporating lean meats into things he likes, for example if he likes pasta, make some chicken spaghetti with cubed, cooked chicken. Or add it to mac and cheese with a vegetable he likes for a casserole dish. Roll-ups are a nice change from regular sandwiches too, grilled chicken with some ranch dressing, lettuce, shredded carrots, and any other veggie he likes would be good.
I would suggest he talk with someone at his school like the athletic trainer or coaches to see if they can give him more specific guidelines for his build and desired weight gain. If I think of anything else, I'll post here :)
Joy
"Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy."
"Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy." 2|1|Oh, and try making your own chicken tenders...oven-fried! :)|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|20:30:51|01/07/2009|
"Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy." 3|1|My son who is 21 is also thin, he's 5'11 and weighs 120 pounds..After him being in the hospital and losing 15 pounds the dietian gave me these ides..|HONEY11|HONEY1@AMERITECH.NET|20:32:16|01/07/2009|
protein mix & adds fresh banana, ice cream and strawberries(or any other kind of fruit)..bananas are high in potassium, there for they make people gain weight..He has 2 shakes everyday...had his 2 full meals a day and he eats mini meals throughout the day, which contains meat ,a starch food, veggies.. My son is a slow eater,so I think that's why he has'nt packed on the pounds even though he eats a lot..My son like junk food in moderation. Thankfully though he's gained back the 15 he lost when he was sick though..Due to my son having dextra cardia situs inversus, he will always be on the thin side, that is part of his condition..
4|1|Maybe...|Gail_O|gailandlarryondrej@gmail.com|08:56:39|01/08/2009|
he needs to learn to like other foods. Whenever I need a change in diet, I realize I need to eat foods other than what I am currently eating. This means I usually explore and experiment with new foods. If he is not getting the results he wants with the foods he is currently eating, it is time to explore new foods to hopefully get get new results. I understand the picky eater stuff. I was one when I was younger also, but by the time I entered my teens I was already acquiring tastes for foods I did not like before. Of my three kids, two would always eat or try anything and one was and still is picky. My picky eater is learning though. I cook what I want and he either eats or goes hungry. Usually he can and will eat. 5|2|His pickiness doesn't bother....|shelly|shellysue49@gmail.com|11:00:03|01/08/2009|
me...never has. Likely because I grew up in a household where the man my mother was married to FORCED me to eat everything that was served. I'm talking stuff *most* kids, even some adults would not eat: Parsnips, turnips, beets, saurkraut (sp?), brussel sprouts, etc., etc.
If I didn't like something/wouldn't eat it, I was kept at the table half the night and then the food put in the refrigerator & I'd be faced w/it again the next morning!! I NEVER "aquired a taste" for ANY of the above mentioned foods (and there were more, I just cannot remember them all now), and I VOWED I'd NEVER put a child of mine through that!!
He still doesn't like much more than what I've already outlined, and since he's healthy, just would like to look a bit bulkier and kinda grow into his body (lol), I'm personally not too worried about his weight. I think he'd look great with another 20 or so lbs. on him, maybe more. But it was HIS suggestion that I post here and ask my friends, not my idea. I've been buying the things he likes and encouraging him to experiment with those protein shakes and smoothies.
thanks,
shelly
6|3|If he is healthly...|Gail_O|gailandlarryondrej@gmail.com|11:16:01|01/08/2009|
I certainly didn't mean that foods should be forced on him. What I was trying to say is, if he is mature enough to want to change his eating habits to get certain results, then maybe he is mature enough to venture out and try other foods. It doesn't have to be major. Try a good tender steak and baked potato. Now, that will put some weight on you. 7|4|Oh I know, Gail.....|shelly|shellysue49@gmail.com|11:18:26|01/08/2009|
...i wish he WOULD try some new things!! I think he's claimed to have had a hamburger about 2x in his life. He only likes chicken & turkey, no fish, pork, etc. Doesn't like beans of ANY kind. Hard to work with his limitations.....but we'll keep at it.
thanks,
shelly
8|1|tami has a great recipe for smoothies and my son eats sister schuberts yeast rolls|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|15:46:50|01/08/2009|
I slather them with butter, he loves them and will eat them for breakfast and has never eaten breakfast in his life lol
we are thrilled with these rolls, they are expensive but if he will eat them, he can have them, and I try to get them on sale with coupons too though
9|2|My son loves hawaiian rolls!!|shelly|shellysue49@gmail.com|17:18:21|01/08/2009|
I *try* to buy them when i think of it, and include them for supper...which he rarely eats with us as he's sooo picky.
He also loves the Pillsbury cinn. rolls----i make 'em about once a month, sometimes 2x a mo. He can eat about 6 in one sitting~~~Oh, to have THAT kind of metabolism again!! lol
Shelly 10|3|yup that is the only other bread he will eat, not cake or anything just the rolls|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|17:29:00|01/08/2009|
lol