H1N1 Flu - Diet & Tips During Fever

School is on and parents are feeling the pressure of keeping their children safe from contracting either the regular seasonal flu or its more notorious cousin the H1N1. 

What can parents do to protect their children?
Building up their childs immunity is key as young kids do not have the resilience to fight off bacterial advances. Start building this immunity by -

A. Feeding them a balanced and nutritious diet that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants
B. Teaching them the importance of basic hygiene - washing hands, sneezing and coughing away from people, not sharing cups and spoons, etc

A. Getting balanced nutrition by eating foods rich in antioxidants - 

• Beta-carotene :Orange and yellow colored veggies & fruits - Carrots, papaya, all green leafy veggies broccoli, pumpkin & squashes and sweet potatoes.
• B Vitamins (folate and B12): spinach, legumes, peanuts, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, eggs, milk.
• Vitamin C: acerola cherry (amla/goose berries) oranges, grapefruits, all berries, black currants, green peppers, cabbage. Foods rich in
• Vitamin C and zinc are particularly recommended for flu sufferers, for they help to reduce congestion, relieve watery eyes, and minimize the disease's duration.
• Vitamin E: peanuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, spinach, whole grains, vegetable oils, poultry
• Vitamin A - carrots, eggs, pumpkin, whole milk, liver.
• Zinc: fish, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, crab, shell fish, cheese, milk, peanut butter, whole grains
• Selenium: can be found in fish, turkey, nuts, pork and whole grains.
• Quercetin: - Red onions raw or cooked as also apples, blueberries, broccoli, spinach, & lettuce.
• Plenty of fluids: preferably electrolyte rich such as fruit juices , tender coconut water and stimulants such as green and herbal teas which contain phytonutrients that strengthen and boost the immune system or even ordinary tea, soups , broths etc.
• All colorful vegetables & fruits, including leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, eggs, low fat milk, oat meal and lean meat are foods to include liberally in your diet as they act as Cold and Flu Fighters. 
  

B: Now for some common sense preventive tips:

5 Hygiene Tips -

1. Teach your children to wash hands before they sit down to eat even if they are having just a snack, and then right after they finish eating. They must wash hands their hands after using the toilet.
2. Stay away from crowded places and places of low hygiene
3. Try & use disposable paper cups for sick people.
4. Wash your hands regularly especially if you are in contact with person who is ill (infectious).
5. Always ask the sick to cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard them promptly, if tissue is not handy then make them cough or sneeze into their sleeve or crook of their arm.

In conclusion we can say that a good nourishing diet complete with phytonutrient`s & immune boosters accompanied with adequate bed rest, plenty of water and juice can help you prevent getting the flu or recover from it faster.

Many developed countries have shots to prevent influenza of the normal strains. Currently the race is on between various pharmaceutical companies to manufacture enough vaccine specially for the H1N1 virus as various governments are scrambling to find answers to reduce deaths and prevent a pandemic.

We have provided below a sample convalescent meal. While one is suffering from the flu their diet can be based on the sample below and the patient should be encouraged to eat as much as possible and stay hydrated.

Water at least 6-8 cups /day taken in sips is a must throughout the day or how ever it is comfortable.

By. Vijayalakshmi Iyengar
Dietitian
NutritionVista.com