Keeping kids cool in hot weather
In Asia , the months of May and June are hot months when the mercury is on the rise.
With the schools closing for the summer holidays children are raring to out to play.
Choose activities, clothing and foods that can cool your child down and not rev
him up. Keep your child cool with some helpful tips below:
Warm bodies
Children have more surface area on their bodies compared to their
weight so they quickly absorb heat in hot weather. Perspiring is an important way
for the body to cool itself. However, even though children have a higher number
of sweat glands per square centimeter of body surface area compared to an adult,
each immature sweat gland functions at only about 40% to that of a mature adult
sweat gland.
Children's bodies also adjust to hot conditions slowly. As children spend a great
deal of their time outdoors on physical activity they are prone to dehydration.
They need to drink plenty of cool fluids before, during and after activities. Water
is the best choice. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, like cola soft drinks. Caffeine
is a diuretic leading to water loss in the body.
Cool foods
Choose foods with a high water content to keep the body hydrated.
Fruits are packed with water and also a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Fruits like watermelon, honeydew, papayas are widely available during the summer
months. You may also serve frozen cubes of fruits, which is a great treat on a hot
day. Serving chilled fruit milk shakes are not only nutritious but they will also
be a hit with your child.
Delicious, healthy snacks in between meals are a great way to add to the nutrient
intake of your child during the day. Soups and salads are healthy snacks for your
child. Lettuces, cucumbers help to cool the body. Avoid hot and spicy foods that
will induce more heat in the body. Minimize intake of dried and salted snacks as
they cause excessive thirst.
You may also keep cooling treats such as fruity Popsicles in your freezer to cool
your child during the hot afternoons.
Some delicious recipes to keep your child cool this summer are;
• Hearty lotus root and mung bean soup
• Chicken potato fruit salad
• Creamy papaya sago shake
• Mango popsies
Additional Tips
• Bring along an extra change of clothes.
• Choose cotton clothes over synthetic materials. Cotton helps to keep the body
cool.
• Keep a small towel handy.
• Use sandals rather than shoes.