Fever is a symptom of many childhood illnesses. When a child has a fever, their metabolism speeds up, and the consumption of nutrients and water increases significantly. At the same time, digestive juice secretion decreases, digestive power weakens, and gastrointestinal motility slows down. Therefore, the dietary principles for a child with a fever are: first, to provide adequate water; second, to supplement a large amount of inorganic salts and vitamins; and third, to provide a moderate amount of calories and protein. The diet should mainly consist of liquid and semi-liquid foods, with small, frequent meals. 1. Liquid Diet
(1) Milk: Can provide protein for the child. If some rice water is added, it can also provide some carbohydrates.
(2) Rice water: Cooked rice is strained to remove the dregs, it has ample moisture and is easy for a child's stomach to absorb.
(3) Mung bean soup: Mung beans are cool in nature and have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and relieving summer heat.
(4) Fresh fruit juices: ① Watermelon juice, for use in summer. It has the effects of clearing heat and summer heat, quenching thirst, promoting urination, and relieving restlessness.
② Fresh pear juice, for use in autumn and winter. It has effects such as moistening the lungs, clearing the heart, relieving coughs, and reducing phlegm.
③ Fresh orange juice. It has effects such as removing dampness, resolving phlegm, clearing the lungs, and unblocking the meridians.
(5) Nutritional rice powders such as lotus root powder, almond powder, and milk substitute powder. 2. Semi-liquid diet
Such as congee, eggs, and noodle soup. Liquid foods are mostly used during the acute phase of the illness, while semi-liquid foods are mostly used during the recovery or fever-reducing phase. A child with a fever may have a poor appetite, so do not force-feed them, but be sure to supplement with fluids. Do not suddenly introduce foods the child has not eaten before during the fever period to avoid causing diarrhea.