🔔 Stay Updated!

Get instant alerts on breaking news, top stories, and updates from News EiSamay.

Is your little one tired from fever and cold? THESE nutrients might be missing

Common infections like fever and cold can drain essential nutrients from a child’s body, making timely replenishment crucial.

By NES Web Desk

Dec 12, 2025 16:54 IST

It's full-fledged winter now. And during this season, everyone from young to old is suffering from cold and cough. But children are suffering the most. It's difficult to keep them sitting quietly wearing sweaters, caps and socks. But when they catch cold, they suffer the most. While fever medicine can be given, parents are afraid to give cough syrup. However, if your child has strong immunity, there's nothing to fear about cold and cough. If your child's diet contains 5 types of nutrients, no disease can touch the little one.

Which nutrients are essential for health?

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that keeps white blood cell function active. It protects the body from any viral infection. It reduces lung inflammation and provides relief from cold and cough. To meet the vitamin C deficiency in your child's body, you can feed foods like guava, citrus fruits, strawberry, kiwi, bell pepper this winter.

ALSO READ | Rise of gender-neutral fragrances among Indian Gen-Z

Vitamin D

If the body has vitamin D deficiency, the little one may frequently suffer from cold and cough. This vitamin also helps strengthen immunity. The more the child plays in the sun, the more vitamin D will be produced in the body. Besides, you can include fortified milk, eggs, fish, mushrooms, fortified orange juice in your child's diet.

Probiotics

Probiotics are essential for gut health. And if the gut is healthy, you can easily avoid the risk of multiple diseases. The gut microbiome fights viruses and reduces lung inflammation. To meet the probiotic deficiency in the body, you can feed your child yogurt daily. Besides, you can also feed fermented foods like lassi or buttermilk, dosa-idli, pickles.

ALSO READ | Indian couples turn to routine check-ins to strengthen relationships

Zinc

If your child has a tendency to catch cold, don't forget to include zinc-rich foods in their diet. This nutrient also helps provide relief from cold and cough. As zinc-rich foods, you can feed dairy products, various types of lentils, nuts-seeds, whole grains, eggs and chicken.

Fiber

Fiber is essential for maintaining gut and digestive health. Fiber helps keep overall health good. In this case, you can feed the little one cereals like oats, daliya, lentils etc.

Prev Article
Rise of gender-neutral fragrances among Indian Gen-Z
Next Article
What happened today (December 17)? Key moments you should look back on

Articles you may like: