Liquid Meals: Five Recipes for Children on a Liquid Diet

As parents one of the toughest times we encounter is when our kids are sick or injured. While we are concerned with their comfort and knowing they are okay, we must also be sure that their illness or injury does not preclude their proper nutrition. A sick or injured child needs their strength to be able to heal and return to their healthy state. Often an illness may cause the child to not be able to consume solid foods. Jaw injury, facial injury, or mouth surgery may cause your child to be restricted to a liquid diet.

Taking into consideration the age of the child, and what food content restrictions are placed on them, the parent must find liquid meals which provide nutrition, sustain the child's health and allow them to be satisfied with the items consumed for the duration of the liquid diet. Two of the problems typically encountered with living on a liquid diet are lack of protein intake and lack of fiber. Strictly adhering to a diet of just shakes or smoothies with limited protein can cause muscle loss and may lead to gastro issues or constipation.

Parents may consider using recipes which contain protein sources like peanut butter, or adding protein powder to liquid meals for sick or injured kids. For fiber bananas may be incorporated, or bran flakes can be added to the blender with smoothies or drinks. In order to provide variety in meals for the injured child, parents can experiment with pureeing items the child typically eats but adding broth or liquid of some sort to help make the item drinkable. For dinner type meals broths work well. Consider adding beef broth to a pureeing cheeseburger in small increments until the burger is liquid enough to be passed through a straw.

Wheat Germ and Brewers yeast can be added to liquid meals to increase the protein value. Bran flakes can be added to increase fiber. Vegetables can be pureed in order to include more vitamins in the liquid meals.

The following recipes can be used as liquid meals for sick or injured kids.

Peanut Butter Shake

1 cup ready to drink vanilla supplement (Boost, Ensure etc)
1 pint vanilla ice cream

1 banana

1 cup carbonated clear beverage (ginger ale, sprite, etc)

5TBSP peanut butter
½ to 1 cup water.

Place items in blender, starting with 1/2cup of water and increase if you need the mixture to be thinner.

This makes 4 servings, refrigerate what is left over. If your kid is a Reeses candy fan you can substitute chocolate ice cream for the vanilla.

Fruit and Fiber

In a blender combine a ½ cup of orange juice, ½ cup apple juice, and 1/4 cup bran flakes. Blend until smooth. Add ½ cup of vanilla yogurt or ½ cup orange sherbet. Blend until smooth.

Cheeseburger Chowder

For this recipe you will prepare the Chowder and then blend to the consistency that can be consumed by your child

Brown ½ pound of ground beef and ½ onion. Drain grease, move to a large pot. Add 2 quarts water, 2 packs or cubes of beef bouillon, and 2 diced potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Add 1 can of diced tomatoes and bring to a boil again.

Using a wire whisk, mix 1 cup of flour with 3 cups of half and half milk. Mix until the flour is completely dissolved. Gradually start to pour this mixture into the beef mixture. Reduce the heat and continue to stir as the mixture boils. Add one cup of cheddar cheese and heat until melted.

You may have to scoop out the thicker parts of this chowder and blend them separate from the liquid in order to get the consistency thin enough but it is worth it to satisfy your child's cheeseburger craving.

Morning Cereal

Your child's favorite cereal does not have to be given up. Place a cup of cereal in the blender and add milk gradually, blending between additions. Start with a half cup, blend and determine if the texture is smooth enough and thin enough for your child. If not, add more milk and blend again. Pieces of fruit can be added to this liquid meal also.

Blender Pizza

1 slice bread
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 slice American cheese
Choose what Toppings your child likes. Add a small amount of each. Choices might be chopped onion, bell peppers, olives, pepperoni, sausage, or Parmesan cheese.

Blend until smooth. This dish tastes better want. Heat in microwave on high about 1 minute, check temperature mid way to insure you are not overheating. You may want to add water for consistency

With trial and error you can make most of the things you child likes into a liquid meal. It's worth the test of different foods just to get the nutrition they need and to satisfy their cravings.