Can children with a fever eat watermelon?

Generally speaking, whether a child can eat watermelon when having a fever should be determined based on the child's specific condition. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the child is in good mental condition during the fever, without gastrointestinal discomfort such as diarrhea or abdominal pain, and is in the middle or later stage of the fever with a relatively stable body temperature, then a moderate amount of watermelon may be consumed. Watermelon has high water content, which can promptly replenish fluids lost through sweating during a fever, preventing dehydration. It also contains vitamins and minerals that provide some nutritional support, while its refreshing taste may improve appetite during fever and help the child feel more comfortable.

If the child experiences severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting during the fever, or is in the early stages of fever with continuously rising temperature, poor mental condition, and cold hands and feet, eating watermelon is not recommended. Watermelon is relatively cooling in nature and may irritate the stomach and intestines, worsening diarrhea, and could interfere with the body's heat regulation due to its cold nature, potentially causing the illness to recur. At this time, the child's digestive capacity is weak, making it difficult to absorb nutrients from watermelon, which could instead cause discomfort such as bloating.

When feeding watermelon to children, note the following: choose fresh watermelon, control the portion to 100-200 grams each time to avoid overconsumption. Remove the watermelon seeds before eating to prevent choking or gastrointestinal discomfort. Do not feed watermelon that has just been taken out of the refrigerator; allow it to reach room temperature before consumption. After eating, observe whether the child develops any abnormalities such as diarrhea or abdominal pain. During the fever, the child's diet should primarily consist of bland, easily digestible staple food. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention promptly.