The sound of sniffles and the sight of a runny nose can easily tug at a parent's heartstrings, especially when our little bundles of joy are under the weather. As a parent, I vividly recall those sleepless nights worrying about my child's comfort during coughs and colds. During one such episode, I stumbled upon the remarkable healing power of soups.
One chilly winter evening, my daughter, Meera, came down with a stubborn cold. A tired and cranky disposition replaced her usual bubbly demeanour. Desperate to ease her discomfort, I turned to homemade chicken soup, an age-old remedy. As I gently fed her spoonfuls of the warm broth, I could see a glimmer of relief in her eyes. It wasn't just a meal but a comforting embrace that helped soothe her throat and ease her congestion.
But it's not just my personal experience that attests to the magic of soups during these times. I reached out to fellow parents, seeking their stories and recommendations. Priya, a mother of two, shared, "Whenever my kids catch a cold, I prepare a simple vegetable soup packed with carrots, beans, and a dash of turmeric. It's amazing how it helps them feel better within a day or two."
1. Chicken Soup (8 Months+):
This clear chicken soup is the best way to introduce chicken to babies. It's very nutritious, easily digestible, and helps treat cold and coughs. It's effortless to make and tastes delicious, too. Add some vegetables or corn kernels to make the chicken soup tastier and filling.
Check out chicken clear soup recipe here
2. Mutton Soup/ Lamb Trotters Soup ( 8 Months+):
Mutton soup is another healthy, comforting soup for kids when they are down with cold/flu. It helps in clearing stuffy nose and throat infections. Also, this nourishing soup is ideal when introducing mutton to your baby for the first time.
Check out mutton soup recipe here.
3. Mixed Vegetables Soup (8 Months+):
Mixed vegetable soup is a healthy, wholesome soup made with assorted vegetables, onions, and tomatoes. This tasty soup is the best way to include more vegetables in the fussy eaters' diet. I prefer this as a clear soup (after straining) when kids are down with an illness.
Check out mixed vegetables soup recipe here
4. Tomato Soup/ Tomato Rasam (8 Months+):
This south Indian style tomato soup with mild spices like pepper, garlic, and cumin seeds is the best remedy for cold & cough and is also ideal during the monsoon/winter. It boosts immunity, helps digestion, and increases the appetite in kids. It can be given to kids as soup or mixed with steamed rice.
Check out South Indian style tomato soup recipe here
5. Carrot Soup (8 Months+):
Carrot soup is mildly sweet and spiced, rich, and creamy without adding milk/cream. The soup is so easy to make but delicious. The bright orange colour of this carrot soup is undoubtedly appealing to kids!
Check out carrot soup recipe here
6. Cream of Tomato Soup (10 Months+):
A mildly spiced, tangy, silky smooth, creamy tomato soup is perfect for kids during rainy seasons and winters. The addition of fresh cream to this soup makes it tastier. This Creamy tomato soup is a sure winner among kids!
Check out the Cream of Tomato Soup recipe here
7. Carrot Tomato Soup (8 Months+):
Easy, quick, and healthy soup with the goodness of carrots and tomatoes. It's a delicious soup flavoured with a mild sweetness from the carrots and a slight sourness from the tomatoes. This soup also helps in fighting the common cold and cough.
Check out Carrot Tomato Soup recipe here
Also, check 24 healthy soups.
Other Recipes for cold & cough
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Tulsi Khasayam for Cold and cough in babies, toddlers, kids - to treat cold and sore throat
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Many parents are worried about what to feed during a cold and cough in kids as children lack appetite during this phase. But a wholesome small meal and an easily digestible diet are recommended to fight the infection and recover well.
Top 20 Indian Home Remedies for a Cough and Cold in Babies, Toddlers, and kids
Though home remedies will not cure a cold immediately, they help to relieve the symptoms faster and make the child comfortable. This post helps you choose safe, tried, and tested home remedies for ages for colds and coughs.
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