Achoo! Come spring, and allergy season is at its peak. And of course, new bugs are in the air, thanks to the blooming all around you. Well, this is also the season when most kids catch something and stay home ill with sneezy noses and watery eyes. So, what can we feed them to help them feel better soon?
The first rule for all illnesses is ‘drink a lot!’ So, it is only obvious that you should give kids a lot of fluids – warm teas, soups, chicken stock or broth.
Kids love fruit and fruits are always healthy. So, if your child feels like an orange, then that is what they should eat to replenish their vitamins. Fruits are known to provide sufficient immunity and good health.
It’s important to reduce the portion sizes, but increase the frequency. Kids loose appetite when they are ill, so may eat very little. But that is fine, because they also get hungry sooner as their metabolism is at its peak when ill. So, it’s wiser to have 6-8 small meals a day rather than 3 big meals. I usually give my son warm steamed rice and veggies in a broth, or a stew with bread or anything that’s warm and comforting. It helps them digest food faster and renew the lost immunity.
Avoid grease – I usually avoid most fatty foods especially if they have a cold or sore throat. Fats are harder to digest and the body needs to work harder to break down fats. And when kids are ill, it may take longer. When you eat light and warm, the food is absorbed faster leading to quicker recovery.
Foods with vitamin C are ideal, to build back the immunity after a bout of flu or cold. So go for the strawberries, oranges, grapefruits, or watermelon. Most kids love mashed potatoes. But skip the butter and add some lemon and pepper in it and watch you child gobble up the energy!
Keep kids well hydrated and give nutrient -rich foods on the road to recovery!