What food should I give when my baby/kid has fever ? This is the most frequently asked question to me in instagram. The main concept behind “Starve a fever” is to eat less and drink more. Our Immune system tends to spend more energy in fighting against the virus and so we should eat easily digestible food, letting the body to focus its energy in combating the virus. At the same time, we shouldn’t starve as we have to supply the calories required for the fight. And water is the main fuel to stay away from dehydration. Sweating due to high temperature, vomiting and/or diarrhea are the main reasons to dehydrate the body during fever. Water in any form will hydrate the body and loosen the mucus, which could easily find its way out with the trapped germs. Apart from calories and fluids, plenty of rest is more essential. For breastfeeding baby, the best form of liquid and nutrition is the breastmilk. Breastfeed more often to recover soon from fever.
This fever porridge can be given to babies above 6 months. This porridge supplies the required calories and also hydrates the body. This is an easily digestible food but at the same time, it gives the required energy to fight the fever. The carom seeds/ajwain/omam aids in digestion and also supports the viral fight. Traditionally, this porridge is the first food offered to delivered moms, too. After hours of starvation for birthing, this porridge supplies the instant energy and also is so light on the tummy that just delivered the baby. This is the best postpartum porridge offered to delivered moms on first day. Added Ajwain helps in milk secretion as well.
Fever Porridge Recipe – Stepwise pics follow the below printable description:
- White rice(Boiled)/Saappaattu pulungal arisi - ½ cup
- Carom seeds/Ajwain/Omam - ½ tsp
- Porridge powder - 1 tbsp
- Water - 1 cup
- Salt - ⅛ tsp
- Take ½ cup rice, wash twice and soak for 20 to 30 mins. After 20 mins, wash the soaked rice twice and drain the water completely.
- Drain excess water using a sieve. Just leave the rice in the sieve with a bowl below for 5 mins. Transfer the rice to a cotton cloth placed on a plate.
- Spread the rice well over the cloth. Dry rice under fan for one hour or in sun for half an hour. No need to dry completely. If touched, some rice sticks to the palm to show it has some moisture in it. It’s ok if they have a little moisture.
- In a dry pan, fry rice in low flame. Keep stirring continuously for even roasting. Rice will puff up & start changing color. Once it is slightly golden color, switch off. Do not brown it.
- Immediately, transfer to a plate and let it cool down. To the same pan, add ½ tsp ajwain/omam and fry in low flame for 2 mins until fragrant. Do not brown it.
- Add fried ajwain to the same plate and spread well with fried rice. Let it cool down, completely.
- Once cooled down, transfer to dry mixie jar and grind it to little coarse powder (rava/semolina like particles). Transfer to air-tight container. This stays good in the shelf for 6 months or in the refrigerator for 1 year.
- To make porridge, add 1 cup water to a pan. Add 1 tbsp(Refer notes below) porridge powder, mix well and let it cook in medium flame.
- Once thickened, add little salt & cook till desired consistency. This porridge will thicken over time. Refer notes below for more details. Pls note that this porridge should have been cooked in medium flame for at least 10 mins. Adjust water accordingly.
2.If you don't have Ajwain seeds/Omam, you shall replace it with Cumin seeds/Jeeragam.
3.Do not grind to fine powder as the porridge will become sticky.
4.If you are going to have it after some time, make it thin as it will thicken over time. While making porridge, add 1 cup extra water or just use 1 tsp porridge powder for thin porridge.
5.If you are going to make this porridge for delivered mom & send it to hospital, make a watery porridge and send in a flask. It will be warm and in right consistency when she drinks.
6.Warning! Mother’s milk is sufficient for babies till 6 months. Give this porridge for 6+ months babies.
Preparation – How to make Fever Porridge ?
1.Take 1/2 cup rice, wash twice and soak for 20 to 30 mins. After 20 mins, wash the soaked rice twice and drain the water completely. 
2.Drain excess water using a sieve. Just leave the rice in the sieve with a bowl below for 5 mins. Transfer the rice to a cotton cloth placed on a plate.
3.Spread the rice well over the cloth. Dry rice under fan for one hour or in sun for half an hour. No need to dry completely. If touched, some rice sticks to the palm to show it has some moisture in it. It’s ok if they have a little moisture.
4.In a dry pan, fry rice in low flame. Keep stirring continuously for even roasting. Rice will puff up & start changing color. Once it is slightly golden color, switch off. Do not brown it. 
5.Immediately, transfer to a plate and let it cool down. To the same pan, add 1/2 tsp ajwain/omam and fry in low flame for 2 mins until fragrant. Do not brown it. 
6.Add fried ajwain to the same plate and spread well with fried rice. Let it cool down, completely.
7.Once cooled down, transfer to dry mixie jar and grind it to little coarse powder (rava/semolina like particles). Transfer to air-tight container. This stays good in the shelf for 6 months or in the refrigerator for 1 year.
8.To make porridge, add 1 cup water to a pan. Add 1 tbsp(Refer notes below) porridge powder, mix well and let it cook in medium flame.
9.Once thickened, add little salt & cook till desired consistency. This porridge will thicken over time. Refer notes below for more details. Pls note that this porridge should have been cooked in medium flame for at least 10 mins. Adjust water accordingly.
Serve warm..
Tips/Tricks in making this Fever Porridge:
- Do not add salt for babies below one year. Click here to know the reason.
- If you don’t have Ajwain seeds/Omam, you shall replace it with Cumin seeds/Jeeragam.
- Do not grind to fine powder as the porridge will become sticky.
- If you are going to have it after some time, make it thin as it will thicken over time. While making porridge, add 1 cup extra water or just use 1 tsp porridge powder for thin porridge.
- If you are going to make this porridge for delivered mom & send it to hospital, make a watery porridge and send in a flask. It will be warm and in right consistency when she drinks.
- Warning! Mother’s milk is sufficient for babies till 6 months. Give this porridge for 6+ months babies.
Leave a Reply