Textures & Adding Calories
SMOOTH/SOFTER FOOD OPTIONS
| BREAKFAST | How to add calories |
| Yogurt/fruit | Use full fat yogurt; brands such as Noosa and Liberte |
| Homemade Smoothie | Soak granola overnight in milk and blend in smoothie; add in avocado; nut butter; heavy cream |
| Oatmeal Cream of Wheat Farina |
Add in butter, make with whole milk or add heavy cream. If concerned with your child’s protein intake make on stovetop, add in whole egg while stirring (large egg has ~6.5 grams of protein). If your child cannot tolerate milk, add coconut milk in a can. Example: Native Forest Coconut Milk, Organic, Unsweetened has 700 calories per can. |
| LUNCH/DINNER | |
| Tofu | Silken tofu – blend into soups or smoothies / fry for an entrée (for solid food) |
| Mac and Cheese | Add extra cheese or half and half |
| Ravioli | Use cream/white sauce instead of red. Add heavy cream to sauces |
| Meatballs | Use beef instead of turkey chop meat |
| Noodles | Use a cream/white sauce instead of red. |
| Soup | Choose creamier soups such as Broccoli Cheese, Potato Leek, New England Clam Chowder.If your child likes less caloric soups, bump up the calories by blending in avocado, adding heavy cream or grated cheese |
| Baked Beans | Add pat of butter or melt in cheese |
| Crock Pot meals | Use caloric cuts of meat like pork/beef tenderloin, beef ribs, short ribs, ground beef/ground lamb. Use heavy cream, oil, butter and cheese. |
SOLID/CHEWIER FOOD OPTIONS
| BREAKFAST | How to add calories |
| Egg cups | Ingredients – 6 large eggs, ¼ cup milk and whatever veggies you like. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a muffin tin with olive oil or butter Whisk eggs and milk (to add more calories add half and half or heavy cream instead of milk) Chop vegetables (mushrooms, spinach, onions, broccoli, peppers) and add into the eggs. To add more calories, use shredded cheese, bacon, leftover chicken, meatballs. Fill muffin cups ¾ of the way and bake for 20-25 minutes until centers are set and no longer runny. Eat right away or refrigerate or freeze for later. |
| PB/J with sliced fruit! | Instead of jelly add sprinkles and shredded coconut to make it fun |
| Pancakes and Waffles | Add butter and put a layer of peanut butter on top and banana |
| Egg tacos | Add half and half or heavy cream to scrambled eggs. Use refried beans for extra calories, add avocado and sour cream |
| French Toast | Use a high calorie bread, whisk egg with half and half or heavy cream instead of milk, use a lot of butter in pan |
| LUNCH AND DINNER | |
| Rice/beans/Protein (steak/chicken/fish) | Make beans and rice with oil or butter. Serve with avocado, cheese and sour cream. Score (cut lines in protein) before grilling or cooking and add butter. |
| Grilled Cheese | Use extra butter add extra cheese slices (full fat cheese), add a layer of mayonnaise or guacamole on top of the butter layer |
| Pizza | Add veggies and a layer of extra cheese |
| Empanadas | Dip in an aioli or creamy chipotle sauce for added calories and ensure the filling is calorie dense. |
| Hamburgers | Make it a cheeseburger and add mayonnaise or Ranch plus Ketchup! |
