Getting enough nutrition from food is a big challenge for children with cerebral palsy. Lack of motor skills and stomach issues result in a high percentage of children being malnourished and underweight. Choosing a high-calory diet is part of managing these feeding disorders in cerebral palsy.

High Calorie Yogurt brands

Liberty Brand – cals per 6oz 270 (Lemon), 250 (Vanilla), 280 (Coconut) Olympic Brand Krema – cals per 6oz 280 (Vanilla), 280 (Strawberry), 290 (Coconut), 270 (Lemon) Canned coconut milk – 445 calories per 1 cup serving (note: guar gum can be hard to digest) Super Pudding *4 servings of 365 cal each (1470 total calories) 2 cups whole milk 2 tablespoons oil 1 small package of Instant Pudding mix 3/4 cup dry milk powder OR 1 envelope Carnation Instant Breakfast (CIB) Powder Stir together milk powder (or CIB) and whole milk. Add instant pudding & oil and mix well. Pour into small dishes for 1/2 cup servings. Cover and refrigerate.

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Fruit Smoothie

* 100 calories per cup, 1 gram protein 1 cup orange or pineapple juice 1 banana 1/2 cup canned pineapple or other fresh or canned fruit 1 tablespoon honey (optional) 4-5 ice cubes Put all in blender and process until smooth. Makes 1 (1cup) servings. Options: 1 cup coconut cream adds 100 cals per serving 1/4 cup peanut butter adds 190 cals, 8 grams protein per serving 1/2 cup ice cream adds 129 calories (Haagen Daz has 270 in half cup), 3 grams protein per serving.

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Peanut Butter Honey Balls

*36 calories per ball, 2g protein 1/2 cup peanut butter 3 & 1/2 tbsp nonfat dry milk 1 to 2 tsp honey Combine ingredients and mix thoroughly. Roll into balls and refrigerate. Makes 24 balls of 1/2 tablespoon each. Substitute pediasure for milk for weight gain.  These were the doctors favorites and ones he recommended. He said to us to do one a day Chocolate-Peanut Butter Shakes 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter 3 tsp chocolate ice cream Blend in blender Peaches and Cream 1 cup Milk 1 cup canned peaches 1 cup vanilla ice cream 1/4 tsp Salt 1/4 tsp Vanilla Blend in blender Apple Pie a la Mode 1 cup Apple pie filling 1/2 cup milk 1 cup vanilla ice cream Dash of Cinnamon Blend in blender.

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High-Calorie Breakfast shake

1 cup half & half 1 packet of instant breakfast 3/4 cup Ice cream Blend in blender Grape Slush 2 grape juice bars 1 tbsp corn syrup 1/2 cup grape juice or 7-up 1 tbsp corn oil Blend in blender Grape Sherbet Shake 3/4  cup orange  sherbet 2 tbsp corn syrup 1/2  cup 7-up 2 tbsp corn oil Blend in blender Old Fashioned Milkshake 1 cup whole milk 1 cup ice cream Blend in blender Hot chocolate 3 oz. Milk chocolate 1/4  tsp vanilla 1 tsp butter 1 cup half & half Melt chocolate and butter. Add Vanilla and slowly stir in half & half. Small amounts at a time. Reheat to desired temperature.

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Carnation Instant Breakfast

1 packet 1 cup whole milk Blend

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Avocado pudding

2 ripe avocados 3/4 cup whole coconut milk 1 cup almond milk 8 pitted Medjool dates Instructions: In a blender, combine avocados, coconut milk, almond milk and dates. Chill for 2 hours and serve. Great garnished with whip cream photo credit: MarcelGermain via photopin cc