Feeding a sick child

Parents must carefully choose a diet for a sick child to control nausea and diarrhea. You may want to ask your child's physician to suggest a diet while your child is ill. Generally, for a child older than 12 months of age, use the following guide:

Begin with clear liquids:

• Weak tea.
• Fat-free broth or bouillon (made with powder or cube).
• Flavored gelatin dessert with nothing added.
• Popsicles.
• Soda pop.
• Pedialyte.

If the child tolerates clear liquids, add these foods:

• Ripe banana or strained banana.
• Cooked refined cereal with no sugar (cream of wheat or cream of rice).
• Soda crackers or dry white toast with no butter (a small amount of jelly may be used).
• Fat-free (uncreamed) cottage cheese.
• Applesauce.
• Low-fat milk.

If the vomiting and diarrhea seem to be controlled, in a day or two, you may add:

• Lean meats without gravy.
• Eggs, not fried.
• Mashed potatoes.
• Cooked vegetables.
• Canned fruit (peach, apricot or pear).
• Plain pudding.

Avoid all other foods, especially dairy products, until all of the symptoms are gone.