Liquid Meals for Sick Kids

When the kids are sick, eating most anything can produce disastrous results. With the flu and other ailments, solid food can be the worst possible idea. Most of the time with varying fever and stomach occurrences, liquids are the only nutrition they can keep down. Finding something liquid that is both good for them and is palatable to them, may be a challenge.

One of the most important things to remember with sick kids is to limit sugary liquids. While they may feel like they want these things like soda, kool aid and other sugar drinks, these are usually not well tolerated once they make it to the stomach. The usual result is vomiting.

The best proven liquid meal for anyone, including a child is soup. The old favorite chicken noodle is almost the idealic remedy for what ails you. If vomiting is a problem, you should start with chicken broth, not too hot. As the child feels better and can tolerate food better, adding the noodles and vegetables is an added bonus.

Another wonderful creation for sick kids is Pedialyte. Filled with electrolytes, which your body needs to function properly when sick, this stuff is usually excepted well by kids. Not really sweet, but fairly tasty. It also provides nutrition when they can't hold anything else down. This is great cold or room temperature. Usually with flu and fever, too cold or too hot is not tolerated well.

A treat that is both liquid and solid that kids usually will hold down well is Jello. If you use the non sugar kind, it works great. Kids love Jello and this satisfies both the stomach issues and qualifies as a liquid once swallowed. Try the less powerful flavors such as orange or cherry.

Gatorade has long been used for treatment in sick kids. While it doesn't provide as much nutritious value as you would like, this is a great liquid for keeping them hydrated. There are many flavors on the market nowadays and it is almost positive that you will find a flavor they will like and will tolerate well.

Juice is another liquid that works well with kids. Usually an apple juice or cranberry juice works better that orange juice. Citrus type drinks are not very good on this subject. The acid in the drink usually causes more grief than it fixes.

Once they can tolerate some stuff, liquid nutrition like Pediasure can help provide much needed vitamins and nutritious support while they recover.

Other liquids such as water can provide hydration for sick kids but does little to provide nutrition. The best thing to do with your sick kids is to not overload them with any type of food. When they have a fever, they are more likely to have bouts of vomiting. Letting them sip on the liquids both hydrates and provides a steady source of nourishment.