What should children eat to reduce phlegm?
Recently, children's respiratory health problems have become a hot topic for parents, especially symptoms such as excessive phlegm and cough. This article will combine hot topics and medical advice from the entire Internet in the past 10 days to provide parents with scientific and practical dietary therapy plans for reducing phlegm.
1. Common causes of excessive phlegm in children

According to recent discussions among pediatric experts, excessive phlegm in children is mainly related to the following factors:
| Reason type | Specific performance | Proportion (recent case statistics) |
|---|---|---|
| respiratory tract infection | Colds, bronchitis, etc. | 45% |
| allergic reaction | Allergic rhinitis, asthma | 30% |
| environmental stimulation | air pollution, secondhand smoke | 15% |
| other factors | Improper diet and weak constitution | 10% |
2. Recommended list of phlegm-reducing foods
Based on recent recommendations from nutritionists and traditional Chinese medicine experts, the following foods have a significant effect on resolving phlegm in children:
| food category | Recommended food | Mechanism of action | Applicable age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruits | Pears, loquats, oranges | Moisten the lungs, promote fluid production, and dilute phlegm | More than 6 months |
| Vegetables | White radish, lotus root, lily | Clear away heat and resolve phlegm, promote phlegm excretion | 1 year old and above |
| Cereals | Barley, almonds, white fungus | Strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness, reduce phlegm production | 8 months or more |
| Others | Honey (need to be over 1 year old), Luo Han Guo tea | Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, relieve cough | 1 year old and above |
3. Top 3 recent popular phlegm-reducing recipes
According to data shared on social platforms, the search volume for the following recipes has increased by 200% in the past 10 days:
| Recipe name | Preparation method | Efficacy description |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Sugar Snow Pear Cup | Sydney pear core + rock sugar + Sichuan clam powder steamed for 20 minutes | Effective in treating dry cough and sticky phlegm |
| White radish honey drink | Slice white radish and soak it in honey for 2 hours to extract the juice. | Suitable for those with excessive phlegm and sore throat |
| Tangerine peel and red bean porridge | Boil 5g tangerine peel + 30g red beans + 50g japonica rice | Regulate the spleen and stomach and reduce phlegm and dampness |
4. Precautions
1.age limit: Honey is prohibited for children under 1 year old, and nut foods should be used with caution under 3 years old.
2.allergy test: New ingredients need to be added in small amounts for 3 consecutive days to observe the reaction.
3.Symptom monitoring: If the following conditions occur, seek medical attention immediately:
| Danger symptoms | Possible reasons |
|---|---|
| Bloody sputum | Worsening of respiratory tract injury/infection |
| Shortness of breath with fever | signs of pneumonia |
| No relief for 2 weeks | Allergic factors need to be ruled out |
5. Latest suggestions from experts (updated in 2023)
1. The Chinese Pediatric Association reminds: Phlegm-reducing foods must be combined with adequate water intake (daily water intake = body weight kg × 50ml)
2. American Academy of Pediatrics supplements: Vitamin C supplementation can enhance respiratory immunity, and citrus fruits are recommended
3. Japanese research found that onion extract can effectively dilute phlegm. You can try onion and apple puree (over 1 year old)
Through scientific diet and correct nursing care, most children's symptoms of excessive phlegm can be effectively improved. It is recommended that parents collect the food list recommended in this article and flexibly adjust it according to the specific situation of their children.
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