My 7 year old son is a finicky eater, and is underweight. He needs to gain about!

My 7 year old son is a finicky eater, and is underweight. He needs to gain about 6 lbs. Any suggestions?

He has a G-tube, but we are trying to get it removed. He CAN eat, but he WON'T eat.

4 days ago
His main source of nutrition is smoothies - we make them using Pediasure, fruit and yogurt. And yes, he does like pizza and chips, but I want him to learn healthy habits from the get go. I'm really looking for healthy, calorie rich recepies

What does he like? Fruit, yogurt, cheese, and whole grain breads would probably be good choices for him. I wouldn't push too much, just make it available and encourage him to try things. If you are modeling good eating habits, he is more likely to try. Cut up some fruit in bite sized pieces and put it on a plate with some yogurt for dipping. You snack on it, tell him how good it is and encourage him to try it. How about making smoothies? They're a nice, rich, thick drink with a sweet taste that often appeals to kids, and maybe milkshakes, but make your own so he doesn't develop a taste for fast food junk! There might be other soft food choices that would interest him to begin with, like cottage cheese (try cottage doubles, which come with a little fruit to mix in), or chicken salad. Cook meats like chicken in a little broth on low heat for a longer period of time so they come out very tender. And remember it may take a few tries for him to develop a liking for a new food, so encourage him to try again. Tell him "Your tast buds are growing up, just like you. Just because they didn't like that yogurt last Monday, doesn't mean they won't like it today. When I was your age, I didn't like yogurt either, but when I was just a little older than you, I LOVED it!"