Meal Ideas for a Toddler With a Sore Throat

A sore throat can cause misery for your toddler, particularly if she is too small to verbalize what she is feeling. Sore throats are common and are often a sign that your toddler is getting a cold or the flu. Toddler-strength pain relievers can help ease your little one's pain, but certain foods may also bring some relief. Serving your sick toddler soothing meals can help reduce pain and alleviate the sore throat.

Warm Soup

A bowl of warm soup will coat your toddler's throat and bring some relief from the pain. Warm liquids are an effective way to reduce sore throat pain. Any type of soup will work because it is the warmth rather than the ingredients that help your toddler feel better. A can of your toddler's favorite type of soup may encourage him to eat it or a homemade version can be offered throughout the day to help alleviate discomfort. Warm broth or warm beverages can have similar benefits.

Oatmeal

Warm oatmeal can help coat your toddler's throat and bring some relief from sore throat pain. Deirdre Randall, author of "Easy Meals for Babies & Toddlers," recommends bland foods, such as oatmeal, because: * additional discomfort 2. Oatmeal can be a nutritious meal if you add some frozen berries or plain yogurt to your toddler's bowl. Make sure to test the temperature of the oatmeal before serving it to your toddler because very hot food can burn his throat and cause additional pain.

Yogurt with Fruit

Cool foods, such as yogurt, can also alleviate your toddler's sore throat pain. Yogurt is a good choice because it is soothing and soft to swallow. Yogurt has an added benefit of containing probiotics, which act like antibiotics to help kill germs that may be causing illness. Offer your toddler a carton of plain yogurt with fresh berries, sliced bananas or cubed mango to also increase her intake of vitamin C, a nutrient that may help fight the infection causing the sore throat. Look for low-sugar varieties of yogurt because too much sugar can prolong illness.

Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is a good toddler meal because it combines foods from several food groups into one kid-friendly dish. Rice pudding is also soft and soothing, which can help a toddler with a sore throat. In addition, rice pudding supplies protein, which your toddler needs to fight off her illness and maintain her energy. Including frozen fruit, such as blueberries or blackberries, adds vitamin C to the rice pudding and makes it a more well-rounded meal.