High-caloric foods are recommended to parents to boost caloric intake in underweight children to promote weight gain. The usual recommendations include adding butter, oil, or cream to foods whenever possible, or giving a high-calorie drink which is not always palatable to children. We found that a more practical suggestion is to give parents a recipe for this healthy nutritious snack-a yummy smoothie. The recipe is as follows:
Smoothie Power Drink
Mix the above ingredients in a blender to make a smoothie. The amount of whole milk may be adjusted to desired consistency. Then it's ready to serve. Leftovers can be frozen in an ice cube tray, which can be given as popsicles later. Try to finish this within two weeks.
We printed the recipe on a card and readily hand it to parents during the visit. It's a kid's-tested recipe. Our children love it! Let them help make this snack, and they will enjoy it even more.
Sasigarn A. Bowden, MD, and Brian K. Bowden, MD Columbus, Ohio
