Toddlers are very vulnerable to sickness, and the parents need to take extreme care of their children in this situation.
Cough and cold are two major sicknesses that a toddler can easily get. At an early age, a toddler’s immune system is not too strong to fight sickness, and therefore a parent should be careful in feeding them.
Many parents are worried about what to feed their children when they get cold and cough. Keeping their diet controlled is one of a parent’s best things.
If you are confused about what to feed your child in this sickness, this guide will help you.
Key Notes
- Warm food helps relieve throat irritation and pain
- Food with high carbs is also good to make them feel full and regain strength
- Spices such as pepper, turmeric, and cumin play an important role in making the cold and cough better
- Avoid feeding a toddler hard food during cough and cold
12 Top Best Foods For Toddlers During Cold And Cough
Before deciding what to feed your child, it would be best to take your child to a doctor and get the medicines. After that, you should worry about what to feed them. Below are the 12 best foods to feed your child during cold and cough.
1. Turmeric Milk with Pepper
Pepper and turmeric are the best options to feed your child when they get cold and cough. Mixing it in the milk perfectly affects and satisfies your child’s hunger. In addition, turmeric milk with pepper is the best way to feed your child with natural antibiotics.
On the other hand, mix a tablespoon of turmeric and a teaspoon of pepper in a glass of warm milk. If your child refuses to drink the milk due to the strong smell, you can mix palm candy to give a sweet smell and help overcome the strong taste of milk.
Don’t feed if:
- The doctor has already prescribed antibiotics
- The child sneezes after taking a sip due to the strong spices
2. Clear Vegetable Soup
It is best to feed a toddler warm food to stabilize their body temperature and soothe their throat during cough and cold. In the list of warm foods, a clear vegetable soup is the option to choose from.
A soup is easy to swallow and digest for toddlers during sickness. It is better than feeding them hard food that can sometimes worsen the situation.
Don’t forget to use light spices and pepper in the soup. That will help make your child’s tummy comfortable and help them recover from cold effectively.
3. Mushroom Soup
Mushrooms have remarkable health benefits. They work as perfect immune boosters and help fight infections. In addition, mushroom soups made with cream are a perfect remedy for your toddler during cold and cough.
The thickness of the soup helps soothe their throat and relaxes them from all the coughing.
But don’t use cream in large quantities; just one or two tablespoons would be perfect.
4. Stewed Applesauce
This is one of the most popular foods fed to toddlers during colds and coughs. It works perfectly when a child is suffering from fever. It helps keep your child hydrated and can easily digest it.
5. Mashed Potatoes
No doubt kids love potatoes but feeding them fried potatoes such as fries is not a good option. Therefore, you can make mashed potatoes to satisfy their cravings, and they are safe to consume during cough and cold.
6. Sweet Potato Puree
Sweet potatoes are packed with healthy nutrients and work best in balancing all the nutrients required by your child. These can help your children produce white blood cells that fight infections and recover from sickness during colds and coughs.
7. Broccoli Soup
The antioxidant compounds in broccoli are perfect for fighting infections and helping a toddler recover from cold and cough. Feeding your child broccoli soup mixed with pepper is a perfect food for them.
Avoid things such as:
- Cream
- Nuts
- Spices other than pepper or cumin
8. Citrus Fruits
Be it lemon, orange, or other citrus fruits, and they are packed with vitamin C and other immune-boosting compounds. It makes it easier for a toddler to feel relief from congestion and helps turn the mucus thin.
The best way to feed them citrus fruit would be by extracting lemon juice in a lukewarm glass of water. You can also mix orange juice. However, adding a tablespoon of honey would also be a good option.
9. Green Peas Puree
Green peas contain carbohydrates in large amounts. Most toddlers avoid food when they are ill, and it is your duty as a parent to ensure that their stomach is full most of the time. Otherwise, they might get weak.
Green pea puree is best as it will make them feel full in no time due to the carbs it carries. In addition, it helps your child fight illness and regains strength.
10. Rice Gruel
Rice gruel has been a remedy for illness in many cultures. This recipe is mainly used in every country and is a great food to feed a toddler during cough and cold.
The rice gruel is made by overcooking rice, and the rice water is not disposed of. This ensures that all the essential liquids are fed to the child during illness. Why don’t you try making rice gruel for your child when they suffer from a cold and cough?
11. Basil Water
Basil is one of the best natural elements that help fight many illnesses and provide relief from colds and coughs. You need to boil a few basil leaves in two cups of water for around 5 to 10 minutes.
Strain the water and let it cool. Once you feel that the temperature is lukewarm, it is safe to give it to your child.
12. Porridge
Safe to feed a toddler, the softness of porridge makes it extremely comfortable for a child to eat. It helps ease throat irritation. Make sure to make the porridge with as less milk as possible, as it would be easier for them to digest.
Final Words
This was your complete guide to the best 12 foods for toddlers during cold and cough. You can try any food you think would be best for your child. However, prepare the food carefully as excess ingredients worsen the illness.
