Children who keep their mouths shut and refuse to eat often confuse parents. Do not let children experience growth disorders due to hunger strikes or picky foods. Therefore, it is important to seekknow how to increase a child's appetite.
A person's appetite is controlled by the hormones ghrelin and leptin. The hormone ghrelin will increase appetite, while the hormone leptin functions to reduce appetite and inhibit hunger. The hormone ghrelin will be released in the stomach which then gives a hunger signal to the brain.
Parents can estimate the child's calorie intake so that it is not less than his needs. Children's daily calorie needs differ according to their age, gender, and physical activity. On average, children aged 2-3 years need about 1,000 calories per day, ages 4-8 years need 1,200-1,800 calories per day, and children 9-13 years need 1,600-2,200 calories per day.
Easy Ways to Increase Children's Appetite
Lack of appetite in children and adults can be caused by various things, including stress, tension, side effects of drugs, unattractive taste and appearance of food, or the presence of certain medical conditions. How to overcome it, of course, must be adjusted to the cause.
However, there are several things you can try as a way to increase your child's appetite, including:
- Avoid coercive actions
The actions of parents who force their children to eat because they are worried can actually provoke tension at mealtime. This can make the child less sensitive to hunger later in life.
- Create an attractive food display
The colorful dishes will attract the eye, so it is hoped that it will make mealtime enjoyable. Try combining a variety of vegetables with different colors, and serve them with sources of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, in a balanced meal. This will greatly support the adequacy of nutrition in children.
- Flirt with the smell of food
To attract the appetite can also be through the aroma of food that is pleasant and tempting. You can serve warm food that has just finished cooking, or warm the food before serving.
- Share in small portions
A plate full of food can reduce appetite. Work around it by dividing it into smaller portions to serve several times. In addition, small portions will also be easier to prepare.
- Create unique and new food creations
Giving the same food every day can make your little one bored and may refuse the food. To work around this, try creating a variety of foods with unique and varied creations. This will not only foster curiosity to try new foods, but also complement the nutritional intake that your little one gets.
- Limit drinks while eating
To maintain appetite and prevent feeling full, you should avoid drinking too much during meal times. Give water, juice, tea, or other drinks to the child after eating.
- Involve children when preparing food
Take the kids shopping and prepare the food to be served. Parents will have the opportunity to know the type of food their child likes, as well as explain good nutrition. In this way, the child will be more excited when
- Consult to doctorIf appetite disturbances persist, consult the condition to the doctor. Deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, is known to reduce appetite and trigger impaired sense of taste. Preliminary research conducted on animals concluded that supplementation with zinc can increase appetite in cases of deficiency zinc short-term.
Do not rush to give supplements or herbs when the child seems to have difficulty eating. Always consult a pediatrician before giving any supplements to children. Try to apply first how to increase the child's appetite above, so that children want to eat and their nutritional needs are still fulfilled.