Quite a 'silly' question, but would you give your toddlers (2-4yo) treats like gummy bear and chocolates, to ease their discomfort when they are ill? flu/cough/etc Wondering if there's any medical basis for this?

When I was growing up, my mother used to allow me ice cream when I was having a sore throat. Looking back, that may not be the best/healthiest choice but it did provide some comfort and also got some food into my system (from what I remember, it was tough trying to have solid food when I was having very bad sore throat). Since it is high in sugar content, I guess it would probably be frowned upon now. In addition, I do not think there is any medical basis to it. Ice water or perhaps yogurt may be a better alternative for the same soothing effect. For cold, flu and sore throat, a good and nutritious comfort food for the little one would be chicken soup. Cook a pot at home to ensure that you have a good mix of vegetables and low salt content. It would likely help reduce inflammation. It is also easy to consume for children who can be fussy when they are not well. For me, personally, I think a gummy bear or small piece of chocolate once in a while (as long as it is not part of their daily diet) would not do much harm. While I don’t think there is any medical value to those, your child may enjoy that rare treat and help bring his/her mood up for a while.