Summers can be a tough time for your baby or toddler. The scathing heat can make them irritable and averse to food. It is essential to ensure that your child receives the necessary nutrition and stays hydrated, as these are their growth years. Create an environment where your child happily relishes the meals they eat. Both these factors are interdependent. A favourable environment makes it easier to feed your child, and the right nutrition ensures they can handle the summers.
But how do you create the right environment or choose the right foods?
In this article, we discuss how you can help your child deal with the heat while ensuring they receive the required nutrition.
How to comfort your child in the summers
Here are a few things you can do to comfort your child in the summers:
- Cool your home. Switch on the air conditioner or an air cooler to lower the temperatures indoors. A pleasant environment will soothe your child and allow them to do more without getting cranky.
- Keep your child engaged in different activities to build an appetite and eat well.
- Bathe them with lukewarm water or let them spend some time in an inflatable pool.
- Wipe them at regular intervals with a wet cloth or a wet wipe to cool their body and make them feel refreshed. It is beneficial to help them cope with the heat and makes them less irritable.
- Make hydration fun. Give different juices and fruits to ensure they receive the necessary water.
10 summer foods for your child
Here is a list of 10 summer foods you must try for your child this summer:
1. Seasonal fruits
Summer fruits such as watermelon or muskmelon have high water content. It helps your child stay hydrated and provides them with the necessary antioxidants. The king of fruits, mango digests easily and is rich in vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates that benefit the eyesight. Moreover, it helps improve brain development and protects your kid against sunstroke.
2. Curd rice
Easy to prepare and soothing to the body, a bowl of curd rice is loaded with calcium and helps the body cool, especially during hot summers. You can also add roasted cumin seeds, mustard seeds or pomegranate to the curd rice.
3. Coconut water
Coconut water contains the necessary electrolytes to keep your baby’s body hydrated. Summers may lead to heavy loss of water and salts due to sweating, which can be replenished with a glass of coconut water.
4. Buttermilk
Just like curd rice, consuming yoghurt or curd in various forms can help cool the body. Buttermilk is a source of calcium and protein, loaded with nutrients such as vitamin B12, potassium, calcium, riboflavin and phosphorus.
5. Lemonade
Rich in vitamin C, lemonade cools the body, aids digestion and treats constipation and dental issues. It also improves children’s skin health.
6. Rose petal jam
Rose petal jam, popularly known as gulkand, prevents acidity and keeps the body cool. A spoon of gulkand in cool or lukewarm milk helps maintain body temperatures in children.
7. Cucumbers
Summers cause a loss of water in the body. It is essential to provide your child with water-rich fruits and vegetables. Cucumbers contain almost 96% water and help the body stay hydrated.
8. Sabja seeds
Traditionally a coolant, sabja also helps get rid of toxins in the body. You may incorporate these in your child’s meal as topping on fruits or with a juice you serve.
9. Wood apple
Wood apple or bael is a fantastic fruit during summers. Its anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties protect your child from infections. Additionally, its rich protein content may boost your child’s strength and energy. Serve bael as a juice with little or no sugar.
10. Tomatoes
Rich in vitamins A, B2 and C, folate, fibre and potassium, tomatoes protect your child from the harmful sun rays. Serve them raw or as a juice to help strengthen bones, prevent heatstroke and improve digestion.
Make the food interesting
It is essential to keep the meals interesting for your child. While the sun drains their energy, a hearty meal can cheer them up. You may incorporate them in different combinations as smoothies, custards or even make small ice lollies. Ensure your child receives the necessary nutrients and hydration to cope with the scathing summer heat.
In conclusion
Use the numerous seasonal fruits and vegetables to ensure your child gets the necessary water content to stay hydrated. Engage your child in meal preparations or even allow them to decide their meals to ensure they feel involved in the process. Summers can be hard to deal with, especially with babies and toddlers. However, it is essential to provide well-prepared home meals to prevent infection and diseases.
