Diet for a Toddler With the Flu

Flu is a common disease among toddlers. Your toddler is more likely to catch flu during certain times of the year (mostly fall and winter). Toddlers who are regularly around other kids, especially toddlers in daycare, are more likely to be exposed to the flu. While your toddler is sick and during his recovery, you should give him a diet of foods that will help him get well quickly. Most toddlers will also have stomach symptoms when they have the flu. If this is the case, then you need to protect your toddler against dehydration.

  1. Liquids

    • Because the flu, even if not the stomach flu, can cause diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration is one of its biggest dangers. Even if she won't eat anything, make sure your sick toddler is drinking as many fluids as possible. If she's breastfeeding, milk will help meet her nutritional needs as well as keeping her hydrated. Water is the next best thing for her to drink. If she's not eating or is having trouble keeping anything down, you might need to give her an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte, which will help replace lost fluids. Start with one sip at a time to avoid triggering more vomiting. Avoid juices and sugary drinks; these will aggravate her symptoms.

    With Stomach Problems

    • If he has the stomach flu, encourage your toddler to eat a normal diet as much as he can. If his symptoms are mild, he might be able to continue eating normally throughout the course of stomach flu. If he needs to stop eating for a day or two, gradually reintroduce healthy foods as soon as he's feeling better and keeping fluids down. Doctors used to recommend the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, but newer recommendations are that you shouldn't only introduce those foods, since a BRAT diet will lack important nutrients. However, if your child has been vomiting everything he eats, then a BRAT item would be a good choice for the first test food you give him as he begins to feel better. Once he's able to eat, give him lean meats and vegetables as well as whole grains and fruits. Avoid sugar and fatty foods, which are harder to digest.

    Without Stomach Problems

    • Flu can make your toddler tired and uninterested in food. However, a nutritious diet will help your toddler fight the virus. Fluids are important to help keep him hydrated and to lower his fever. He might also be interested in soup, broth or frozen fruit bars. If he's willing to eat solid foods, give him foods that will boost his immune system and help him recover more quickly. These include foods with beta carotene, such as butternut squash, broccoli and pumpkin; foods with vitamin B such as spinach, whole grains, milk and leafy vegetables; foods with vitamin C such as citrus fruits and strawberries; and foods with zinc such as fish and eggs.

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