Many mothers face the constant challenge of children refusing to eat nutritious meals, despite enjoying sweets, snacks, and crunchy foods. Even when meals are prepared in creative and appealing ways, children may still eat very little, leaving mothers worried and often seeking advice from pediatricians.
Improving a child’s appetite requires understanding the causes of poor appetite and applying practical strategies, starting from the introduction of solid foods. Nutrition specialist Dr. Rabab Ghanem shared tips for addressing this common issue and recommended natural ways to boost appetite safely.
Causes of Poor Appetite in Children
Early introduction of solid food:
Infants may reject solid foods if they are still full from breastfeeding or formula.
Offer new foods when the child is hungry, gradually encouraging them to try.
Unappealing presentation:
Children eat with their eyes first. Avoid serving food in unappealing dishes or mixing flavors inconsistently (e.g., sweet with salty).
Ensure food is served at an appropriate temperature.
Negative past experiences:
Bitter medications or unpleasant-tasting foods may cause children to associate new foods with bad taste.
Medical conditions:
Frequent colds, throat infections, or other illnesses may make swallowing painful.
Iron deficiency (anemia) can reduce appetite. Symptoms include craving non-food items (like ice or sand), fatigue, hair loss, and pale skin.
Excess sugar intake:
Eating sweets between meals reduces interest in protein-rich foods like meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables, which are essential for growth and immunity.
Why Avoid Commercial Appetite Stimulants
Appetite stimulants in pills, powders, or syrups may harm a child’s developing brain and general health.
Unregulated stimulants can disrupt the brain’s appetite center and may be linked to long-term health risks.
If necessary, doctors may prescribe safe vitamins, such as Vitamin B and its derivatives, to improve digestion and readiness to eat.
Natural Recipes to Boost Appetite (After Age 1)
Yogurt, sesame, and date mix:
Combine yogurt with one tablespoon of ground sesame and one pitted, mashed date.
Rich in iron, this mix helps children who lack appetite.
Herbal infusions:
Brew anise seeds, fenugreek seeds, thyme leaves, or mint leaves. Sweeten with honey and give 30 minutes before meals.
Small, nutritious meals:
Boiled eggs, fruits (apple, banana, peach), raw ground nuts, sweet potatoes (boiled or baked), and lentil soup.
These meals are filling, nutritious, and stimulate appetite.
General Tips to Improve Appetite
Include iron-rich foods: eggs, spinach, chicken liver, lentils.
Offer water before meals to enhance hunger.
Check for intestinal parasites: worms can consume nutrients before absorption, leading to anemia and loss of appetite. Treat promptly with pediatric guidance.
Monitor urine regularly to prevent urinary tract infections, which can decrease appetite.
Include zinc-rich foods: wheat germ, raw ground nuts, spinach—zinc improves both appetite and immunity.
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