Children’s growth journey is inevitably accompanied by minor health episodes, with colds and fevers being frequent guests. During high fever, children may experience overall body warmth, flushed cheeks, and even headache discomfort. In the scorching summer, watermelon, a refreshing fruit, is widely popular for quenching thirst and cooling down. But is watermelon still a friendly choice for kids battling illness? Let’s discuss this.
A heartwarming tip for parents: Whether children can eat watermelon when they have a fever is a question worth careful consideration. We understand your concerns; while medication can treat illness, “every medicine has its side effects,” excessive reliance may weaken children’s immune systems.
In cases of just a fever, it is not inappropriate to give children watermelon in moderation. After all, proper hydration is crucial during a fever, and watermelon, being rich in water content, can effectively help replenish lost fluids. There are examples showing that even with slightly elevated body temperature, consuming watermelon that they love can help reduce fever the next day. However, if the child also experiences gastrointestinal discomfort, like diarrhea, the situation may be different.
Watermelon has cooling properties; excessive consumption may not be beneficial for children with weak spleen and stomach, poor digestion, or prone to diarrhea, which may lead to bloating, diarrhea, appetite loss, accumulation of cold, and trigger other health issues. Excessive intake of watermelon may dilute gastric juice, affect digestion and absorption, and lower gastrointestinal resistance.
In general, due to its high water content, watermelon is a suitable choice for rehydration for fever patients, helping alleviate high fever symptoms. Therefore, in principle, children can eat watermelon during a fever, especially chilled watermelon can have a cooling effect. However, if the fever is caused by consuming cold foods, caution is advised to avoid giving similar cold foods like watermelon to avoid worsening the condition.
In conclusion, whether watermelon is suitable for febrile children depends on the specific circumstances, with control over the amount, consideration of the child’s physique and the cause of the fever, making watermelon a beneficial natural supplement for health.
