We’ve all known better than to not take precautions during seasonal changes, when people, especially children are prone to infections and other ailments. Ever since the monsoon season has begun, along with a combination of climate change and pollution, our food tends to not provide as much nutrition as one would ideally expect to derive. In the case of children who are fussy eaters, it is crucial to imbibe a healthy lifestyle at an early age, for their longevity and well-being. Along with being exposed to multiple people at school, children also engage in physical outdoor activities, which facilitates contact between them and germs easily. Listed below are six key tips to keep them fit and immune to potential ailments during the season.
Home-Cooked Meals
Making sure that children eat balanced, nutritious and freshly cooked meals on a daily basis is a fundamental way to keep them safe from contracting an infection or allergy. Since contamination through food is one of the most common ways for diseases to spread during the season, trying to feed kids as many homemade meals as possible, is a good way to inculcate the habit of getting them to eat food according to the season. If you’re travelling and must resort to eating out, order simple, wholesome and warming food for the table to eat during lunch and dinners.
Staying Dry
Fun as it is to frolic in the rain and play, leaving children remain in wet clothes might cause them to have chest congestions, cough or cold. Once they return home, run a bath with warm water and dry off their head completely, before changing into clean clothes and massaging their hands and feet with warmed up mustard oil or sesame oil. These oil massages help them to develop a healthy barrier against the cool temperatures, which are likely to cause a fever or sore throat.
Kadha & Boiled Water
While it is important for everybody to develop the habit of drinking boiled water during the monsoon, inculcating the habit into your children to consume warm kadhas with infusions of whole spices and medicinal herbs is great for their inner health. If these infused beverages are too spicy or strong in flavour, add some honey or jaggery to sweeten it up for them. Consuming a cup or two of kadha twice a week, allows them to function in a healthy way while also aiding in digestion and eliminating chances of diarrhoea or cholera.
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Indoor Exercise
If you live in a place that experiences heavy rainfall, due to which the kids are stationed indoors, getting them to perform 20 minutes of exercise each morning is necessary, if they do not have the chance to play outdoors. Keep screen time to the bare minimum and engage them in household activities around the house that does not require them to deal with fire or sharp objects. Involve them in kitchen activities to keep their minds active and improve their concentration levels, while picking up a skill or two.
Local & Seasonal
Image Credits: A Green Venture
Including plenty of seasonal fruits like cherries and plums, as well as indigenous vegetables like shevla, phodshi and ambadi in the kids’ diets allows for them to experience a wide array of flavours, expanding their palette and helping them be educated about what grows in their immediate environment. Along with this, allow your children to indulge in deep-fried treats once in a while as well as balance it out with the inclusion of plenty of probiotic-rich foods, that are good for gut health.
Soak Dry Fruits
If you’re into the habit of eating a handful of soaked almonds and raisins as part of your morning routine, introduce the practice into your children’s diet too. Along with this, include other superfoods like amla and fresh dates for an improved immunity as well as energy boost, as and when they feel tired. The high levels of vitamins and minerals in these foods also help develop their bodies, easing any developmental issues or deficiencies.