When your child is recovering from a stomach bug or an allergy flair give them a special treat that is both delicious and calming. Zebra striped yogurt combines cultured dairy and charcoal to ease the pain.
There are two tricks I have learned in the last year to help get a little tummy back on track after a stomach bug or an allergy flair.
Sensitive Tummies
Last year my son had a really bad stomach bug with constant vomiting. Once that part ended he refused to eat. As parents my husband and I were very concerned. We let our fear turn to frustration.
We would try to force him to eat. And it would all come back up. After days of this process we took him to the doctor who suggested yogurt.
My son was having reflux from such an empty stomach and all of the vomiting. He finally got back on track by taking a couple bites of yogurt every 30-60 minutes to ease the pain. Eventually he could tolerate more and more.
Since then yogurt has been my go-to when he has tummy troubles. Whether it be after an allergy flair (which gives him a stomach ache and keeps him from eating) or after a stomach bug (once any kind of vomiting or diarrhea has subsided).
If your child is allergic to dairy you can try coconut yogurt. I have not personally tried to see if it has the same effect.
Allergy Relief
During the last year we have also dealt with allergy flairs over and over and over as we tried to figure out what was bothering my youngest. A friend suggested activated charcoal. It has been a life saver!
It helps absorb any toxins or allergens and flush them out. It also helps stop vomiting and diarrhea.
Every time my daughter was screaming from an allergic reaction I would take charcoal. It was like magic. The next time she nursed my milk was safe again.
Today I’m sharing a fun way to combine these two secret weapons. Zebra striped yogurt looks cool, tastes great and is very calming to the tummy. In fact, I made the dish of yogurt I photographed the day my son had a stomach bug. He was definitely happy to be my taste tester (even if he does look a bit worn out).
Depending on your child’s age, tastes and severity of reaction you can keep the yogurt plain or add a bit of sweetener. I use maple syrup in the black yogurt and organic cane sugar in the white yogurt.
The next time your child is recovering from a stomach upset of some kind whip up a zebra striped yogurt to ease the pain and get them back to full health quickly.
- 1 cup plain, whole milk yogurt, divided
- 1 - 2 tsp. maple syrup
- 1 - 2 tsp. organic cane sugar
- 1 capsule activated charcoal
- pinch unrefined sea salt
- In a small dish combine half of the yogurt, cane sugar and a pinch of salt.
- In another small dish combine the other half of the yogurt, maple syrup, charcoal (emptied from capsule) and a pinch of salt.
- Layer the white and black yogurts in a dish.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- If you are short on time you can just make the "black" yogurt or you can add all of the ingredients to a blender and make a smoothie.
- Maple syrup can be used in place of the cane sugar, but it may give the yogurt a little color.
- You can adjust the dose of charcoal based on your child's age/serving size.
This post is linked to Savoring Saturdays.
Great idea! We add charcoal to apple puree and have black apple monster dessert for upset tummies 🙂
How fun, Masha!!
Such a creative idea. Activated charcoal is so amazing and helpful. Thanks for sharing this with us at Savoring Saturdays linky party! Hope you’ll join us again later today.