If your child is sick with a fever or cough, it might be tempting to give him whatever he wants to eat. But there are some fruits that can help him feel better.
Fruits are full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. This vitamin helps the body make antibodies to fight diseases. It also helps reduce inflammation in the body, which is often associated with fevers.
Fruits are also good sources of water and fiber. Water helps keep up hydration levels in the body and fiber keeps things moving through the digestive system so that toxins don’t build up in the body.
Fruits can be good for kids with coughs because they’re high in anti-inflammatory compounds called flavonoids. These compounds help reduce mucus production in the lungs and throat, relieving congestion and making it easier for your child to breathe comfortably again.
What to eat in fever and weakness
A warm drink is one of the best things to eat when you are sick. It can help relieve a fever and make you feel better. For example, drinking hot water with honey or lemon juice can help soothe a sore throat. You might also like to try apple cider vinegar mixed with water for a sore throat. If you have a cold, ginger tea can help relieve congestion in your chest.
Best foods to cure a cold
If you have a cold, there are certain foods that may help reduce its symptoms. These include:
Chicken soup – chicken soup contains sodium and potassium which helps clear mucus from the airways. It also contains zinc, an important nutrient for immune system function and vitamin C which is required for white blood cells to fight infection.
Bananas – contain potassium which helps reduce muscle aches and pains associated with colds. They also contain vitamin B6 which helps boost immune function by increasing antibody production by white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Eggs – contain selenium which boosts the activity of T-cells (a type of white blood cell) – these help fight off viruses that cause colds such as rhinoviruses or coronaviruses
Fruits are known to be healthy and nutritious, but they can also help you to get better from fever, cough and cold.
The most abundant ingredient in fruits is water. It helps your body to prevent dehydration due to frequent vomiting and diarrhoea. Drinking fruit juice instead of water is not recommended as it causes further dehydration.
The following fruits are good for treating all types of fevers:
Apple, pear, banana and orange juice are good for lowering temperature.
Mango juice has anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve cold, cough and sore throat symptoms.
Grapes contain vitamin C which boosts the immune system and prevents infections like colds, tuberculosis etc.
Watermelon contains citrulline that dissolves protein plugs in the nose, making it easier to breathe through the nose when you have a cold or blocked nose due to allergies.
The best diet during a cold and cough is a balanced diet.
Eat plenty of fluids, such as water, soup, and juices.
Foods to eat
Avoid foods that may irritate your throat. These include:
spicy foods
caffeine (coffee, tea)
alcoholic drinks
nuts and seeds
citrus fruits and juices
Cold and cough are common ailments in winter. The best thing to do is to prevent them by taking care of your health and hygiene, eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest. However, if you do get sick, there are certain foods that can help speed up the recovery process.
1. Bananas: Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps reduce inflammation and fluid retention in the body. They also contain vitamins C and B6, which help boost your immune system and fight infections (1).
2. Apples: Apples contain vitamin C, which boosts immunity and reduces fever (2). They also have fructose that can help soothe a sore throat (3).
3. Yogurt: Yogurt is high in probiotics that help boost your immune system by fighting off viruses or bacteria that cause these infections (4). You can even opt for Greek yogurt since it has more protein than regular yogurt and less sugar content (5).
4. Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that fights cancer cells and helps reduce inflammation (6). They also contain vitamin C and beta-carotene that boosts immunity and reduces fever (7).
1. Apples
2. Bananas
3. Carrots
4. Grapes
5. Pineapples
6. Watermelon
7. Coconut water