Common Cold Too Common At Home? Here's How to Keep Your Child Safe this Winter- By Sai Kripa Aravind, Nutritionist

Searching tips over google to cure that sore throat, blocked nose, sneezing, and cough? Changing climates result in metabolism changes and affect the functioning of the body. Flu, common cold, and respiratory infections occur in children, especially during the winter with a drop in temperature.

Ever wondered why a shift in the temperature causes a peak in flu and the common cold? Well, this is because low temperature decreases mucus clearance and the activity of phagocytes. Consequently, low levels of UV radiation in winter result in Vitamin D deficiency, and research suggests that low levels of Vitamin D can lower immunity. Hence supplementation with Vitamin D3 can be beneficial in preventing the flu and the common cold.

Apart from Vitamin D3 supplementation, Here are Tips to Prevent the Common Cold in Children.

1. Home Remedies

When it comes to managing the common cold and cough, simple home remedies are effective. Incorporate a concoction of ginger, lemon, and honey, and include Vitamin C-rich food in the diet. Ajwain, also known as carom seeds, contains thymol that helps clear congestion in the chest. Hence an infused drink of carom seeds and jaggery can help clear mucus in children. Salt water gargling can alleviate symptoms of sore and itching throat and reduce the severity of the infection and is done by children above the age of 6 years.

2. Hydrate

Hydration is one of the simplest cold remedies for children. Children often consume too little water during the winter, which could cause dehydration and make them feel sluggish; therefore, it is essential to hydrate adequately.

Choose hydration wisely by refraining your child from consuming cold drinks during the winter season. A warm bowl of soup, a hot glass of turmeric milk containing the anti-inflammatory benefits of pepper, cardamom, and turmeric that helps combat cold in children.

3. Warm Clothes

Winter is synonymous with warm clothes. Choosing appropriate clothing to keep children warm during the cold weather is essential. Woolen clothes trap body heat and keep children warm.

4. Immune-Boosting Foods

Ingredients like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, Amla, and Cranberry keep the body warm. Foods such as almonds, ghee, mustard leaves, millets, and peanuts are winter foods that are a good source of antioxidants, phenolic compounds, essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are beneficial for gut and respiratory health. Probiotic-rich food improves gut health and supports the body’s immune system.

Gritzo SuperMilk is the perfect blend of 21 essential vitamins and minerals, zinc, iron, and personalized ingredients like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Pre and Probiotics, Cranberry, Amla, etc. You can give Gritzo SuperMilk to your child along with a balanced diet to strengthen their immunity and for their healthy growth and development.

5. Hygienic Practices

Educate children to cover their mouths while sneezing and coughing and the importance of not touching the eyes, mouth, ears, and nose to prevent the spread of infections within children at home and schools. Wear a mask when someone is affected with a cold and cough in the family, and change the face mask regularly. Microorganisms are omnipresent, and a habit of taking a warm shower once coming from outside can help prevent catching an infection. Warm showers can also alleviate clear chest congestion.

6. Medications

Colds and coughs in children are frequent during the winter season. Although, it is vital to remember not to self-medicate and consume over-the-counter syrups as this practice of self-medicating with cold and flu medicine and abusing the use of antibiotics for colds and coughs for children could affect gut health. Always consult a pediatrician for medications if there are no improvements in symptoms and the cold and cough last more than three days.

Missing schools and juggling between work and tending to children could be stressful. Gritzo Peanut Almond Butter offers a chocolatey solution made of immune-boosting ingredients to meet 100% of children’s required daily allowance of Vitamin D3. Along with contributing to your child’s Vitamin D3 requirement during the winter, the spread is a good source of protein and calcium.