A test of Love, Do you allow your kids to eat Ice cream in Winters?
Well, It is the test of a parent to persuade a child to stay away from Ice cream. Be it in scorching summers or in the winters. And usually winters are associated with “No Ice creams”, but a glance at these parlours and kids go wild to get one. A strenuous situation is embraced, everyone in the family tries to explain, sometimes the explanation turns into yelling and scoldings also. But most of the times, all the struggle goes into vain and kids end up having one they love eating. Isn’t it mama’s and papa’s? More so, when they are in Toddlerhood or Pre schooler phase and don’t have much understanding.
Questions like, Why do I get cold after I eat Ice cream? Why does ice cream makes me cough? Is Ice cream cold and headache relate?, are so common and answered as “Yes” in many forums & groups. But let me share some scientific reasons right here.
So does having Ice creams really cause colds?
Colds are caused by Viruses and not by eating any cold thing. If the viruses have already entered and are getting active, Ice cream can worsen the situation, not due to cold but due to excessive sugar it has. Germs feed on this sugar and they become more active. Further, dairy products are also said to increase the phlegm and can thicken the mucus which has already started to build up. This can lead to nasal congestion. Standalone Ice cream can never cause cold or cough in kids or even in elders, until enough of it has been gobbled. If you have been already infected, then it might aggravate the mucous and phlegm development. It has been said time and again by many doctors around the world that there is simply no reason for you to avoid ice cream during cold/winters.
Further the impact of ice cream during winters also depends upon the immunity of a child. These days, many kids have really poor immunity. So, we need to focus on building that immunity by giving more of essential macro and micro nutrients to a child, right from the time of weaning.
Here, let’s focus this post on the very common Ice cream struggle during winters. I’m sure most of you would have given up to the incessant efforts by the kids to have an their favorite ones. Let’s now get to know what can be done to minimize the chances of Ice cream being termed as “Villain for kids cold”.
5 Tips to reduce the chances of cold getting enhanced after eating Ice cream :
1. Drink some lukewarm water :
It is said and experimented well widely that drinking warm water after ice cream reduces the intensity of cold getting enhanced. The reason is simple, the sugar crystals [food for germs], gets washed off from the teeth and cavities and it soothes the throat. If your kid is close to 5years, ask him/her to gargle with lukewarm water after eating it.
2. Cinnamon water :
It not just helps to keep your throat good, but is also a refreshing drink. You can give your kids Cinnamon water to a drink after their ice cream intake. [1 Cinnamon :1 Cup water, Simmer and cool it. You can make a concentrate and mix it with normal water]. Cinnamon clears the mucus and hence it will avoid building the extra layers of mucus.
3. Allow basic, less sugary Ice creams only :
Ice cream’s with cookie bits, nuts, extra syrups, lots of cream, fudge sauces, candy toppings should be avoided. Also, extra sugary ice cream desserts should be avoided. The sinner here is again the presence of extra sugar. So, let kids relish on the basic and low sugar ones only. You can also opt for non-dairy frozen desserts as Sorbet, as an alternative.
4. Home Remedies after eating Ice cream :
- Tulsi leaf [Basil] juice + honey and pepper powder can be given. Basil can also be replaced with ginger and this mixture can be given. Though it will be really unfair to give this over ice cream, if you think it is must, go ahead and make this as a mandate before treating kids with ice cream. Give the extract twice a day.
- Some people also recommend giving Betel leaves with honey over ice cream to prevent cold and cough.
- An effective option is of Dry ginger with little salt. Ask kids to chew it immediately after relishing their ice cream. I used to chew it daily even when I was young, it tastes nice.
5. Allow Ice cream while the sun is shining bright:
Avoid its intake during evening, nights and early morning. Allow kids to have them during noon, i.e. peak sunny hours and then top it up with any of the above mentioned points of Home remedy/warm water.
My cousin’s kid was very prone towards cold for one type of Ice cream brand. When she switched the brand and also worked on the home remedies, her tendency to catch cold really reduced. So, you could even notice that if a particular brand is resulting in extra mucus formation, avoid that and choose basic natural ones!
Have you tried any of these suggestions or would you suggest any other option to allow parents to let kids eat ice creams in winters and forget that “Cold factor”?
Hope you enjoy those ice creamy moments even in the winters!
I guess I will have to try these home remedies once winters arrive- Can’t live without eating ice creams. 🙂
Well said. Keeping my son away from the ice creams sometimes does feel cruel purely out of fear of the cold and cough that may follow. Your tips are appreciated!
Such a useful post for upcoming winters!!definitely try these tips because my girls love to eat ice cream in winters
I too love having icecreams with kids, but get worried about getting cold. Will try the cinnamon water drink
I love to eat ice creams… I never catch cold… But this is very informative
I never really thought about ice cream as having a season as we eat them all year round at our house 🙂 But we also don’t have kids. These are great tips though. Sharing with my sister (who is a mom) for sure.
Nice. I have started making ice-creams at home for my kids
Such an interesting read! Love the post-ice cream eating remedies. Sounds like a good idea, since it’s better to be safe than sorry!
That’s a very helpful post.Most people get confused with cold and what to eat.
Loved this.. my kids are going to be so glad I read this 🙂
When I was a child and had a cold along with a sore throat, my mother would give me a small bowl of either chilled applesauce or vanilla or coffee flavored ice cream. The ice cream did not cause the cold but certainly made me feel a bit better while recovering from one!
I had no idea that ice cream has more active sugars and thus the germs feed off them which can worsen colds! I like the sound of cinnamon water as a prevention cure and tasty too !
We live in Chicago where it’s cold half of the year. Avoiding ice cream would be nearly impossible! I say eat it whenever, wherever ?
This is such an interesting phenomenon to read about, as someone who lives on the other side of the globe. I have never heard of a fear of eating cold foods like ice cream leading to catching a viral cold. And also, my kids never want ice cream in the winter – all they want is hot chocolate! It’s always fun to learn about cultural differences like these from people who live a half a world away from me – thanks!
My kiddo and me we both love ice cream. I don’t worry about whether but I just make sure she is not ill.
That’s workable tips to reduce impact of cold while having ice-cream in winter I love to eat ice-cream in winter
I dont say not to icecream yes I always put the intake in moderation. Thanks for the post I am sure many who judge moms like me will get answer. 🙂
This is crazy I had no idea about the connection lol I always thought it was great for a sore throat lol
When isn’t ice cream good?! haha. We do try to get sugar free when we can
I don’t have kids but i know my seven year old niece simply loves ice cream, day or night, anytime. However like you mentioned, ice cream is only given to her on sunny days. Luckily she has a strong immune system and hasn’t found a problem with any of the brands. Great article!
Wow wonderful and very informative write up. Now no need to say good bye to cold ice creams during winters because of threat of cold and fever. I wasnt know all these facts about cold and ice cream. Just amazing. Will share this info with my daughter also. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post timely as winters are coming.
Mmm, I just love ice cream. I do not think it causes colds at all. Colds are causes from germs. Thank you for these tips! I always get colds in the winter.
I love to eat ice cream specially in winter… But my mom stopped me… Coz she thinks I will fall sick… But now I have remedies
Happens with me! Will try your tips next time.
We can definitely not refrain kids from eating ice creams but can surely take preventative measures… Thank you for such informative and easy to follow Tips
These tips gonna helpful for me because me and my son, we both love ice cream.
I am very cautious of eating ice creams as I have sinus, great to read the info shared by you.
Wow that’s one unique article I read today. I love eating ice cream specially during winters. Will follow your simple tips to keep protect myself from cold.
I just love to eat Ice-Cream in winter so your post will help me eat Ice-Cream and not get cold .. Thankyou for sharing this
Really nice tips for parents and kids will be able to enjoy ice cream even in winters
This is something I was looking for. My daughter is prone to cold and she loves ice cream too. In fact she has been asking for ice cream since two days and I have been avoiding it. Thanks a lot for these tips. Very very helpful for us.
My kids are too old for me to decide for them. They are 18, 20 and 22. Plus we live in California so if you can eat it in the summer you can also eat in the winter.
I’ve never heard ice cream could cause a cold. But to me, it’s never too cold to eat ice cream.
No ice cream on winter?! What? who?!!. I love ice cream and to be fully honest I have never heard anything about cold and ice cream. Thanks for the information.
Who does not love ice cream, but I did not know that ice cream has more active sugars and could cause colds! thanks for these home remedies. For sure we will try out the cinnamon water as a prevention for children.
I am going to send this to my best friend, she still catches cold every time she eats ice cream.
I think Ice cream should be given in controlled amounts only. It is a treat for kids, and adults, too!
Interesting article. I’ve never tried giving my kid ice cream during the winter purely because I can’t cope with it being cold.
Excellent suggestions! Finally a post with scientific truth to it. Thanks for spreading the truth about colds and sugar!
I do not restrict my children any food and ice cream being my fav too, I enjoy along with them
These are great helpful tips! My boys sure do love eating ice cream!!
it’s crazy how many nasty bugs feed off sugars and ice-creams are some of the worst, I can’t eat ice-cream anyway but I always feel it’s a little strange eating it in The Winter as it’s so cold!
These are great tips as I love ice-cream no matter what season. I will have to try out that Cinnamon water.
Very handy tips to prevent ice cream cold.The cold and the virus have a tricky relationship
I’ve always wondered if this was true!! I still totally eat ice cream in any weather though!!
No Icecream… what? This is impossible. i can live without food but not without my icecreams.
Lovely tips. Never heard of Cinnamom waterand now I will try it. Thanks for useful post.
At our house I love to make our ice cream by blending frozen bananas. You get all of the cold and texture of ice cream, but without all of the added sugar, etc. In fact, I add strawberries for my grandson because they’re his favorite. Also, I’m so glad to read the tip about cinnamon water. That’s one I haven’t heard of before! x
I had no idea that cinnamon water was good. That’s awesome. I feel myself coming down with a cold, so I will have to try this.
Cinnamon water is excellent for so many things. Thankfully this means no need giving up ice-cream in Winter.
I am a total ice cream freak but also probe to catching cold really soon. These homemade tips of yours are going to be really helpful for me thanks a ton 🙂
http://the-beauty-journal.com/plum-chamomile-white-tea-calming-antioxidant-toner.html
Thanks for the home remedies to avoid throat infection after having ice cream.
thanks, hope you found it useful:)
Everything made sense until the end, where you suggested to eat ice creams in sunny weather. Why is that if ice creams do not cause cold?