With flu cases high and cutting into budgets, Aussie parents are taking to natural remedies

Many Aussies parents are suffering financial loss this winter as their children get sick, with many now turning to natural remedies as the cost of living continues to bite.

While flu cases and transmissions continue to affect NSW residents – with more kids and teenagers getting sick – one Sydney-sider has some tips to help families boost their immunities.

The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report (NSWRSR) has stated that while Covid-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are at “moderate levels of activity”, influenza continues to be at “a high level of activity”.

“Influenza activity remains at a high level … the impact of NSW school holidays is not yet clear, but there is likely to be continued influenza activity for the next few weeks,” the latest report states.

Case numbers of influenza among kids aged 0-19 continue to remain high.

As kids continue to get sick, new research by Aussie Oranges has revealed the financial toll it’s taking on parents.

More than three quarters of Australians (76 per cent) say that being sick costed them an average of $170 each time.

The research revealed 77 per cent of parents admitted to suffering financial loss when their child was sick, with half of parents (50 per cent) feeling like they could’ve done more to prevent it.

As a mother of twins in daycare, Randwick local Brontë Doherty said her kids had been sick a lot this winter.

“We’ve had our fair share of winter illnesses, which is always fun,” Ms Doherty told this publication.

“They’re in daycare a couple of days a week, and you know it being flu season and winter, and it’s been quite cold this winter and it’s been wet. We’ve had quite a few this winter and even some through the summer actually.”

Brontë Doherty with her partner Rob and their twins. Picture: Stacey Rolfe/Supplied

Due to the high cost of medication and supplements, Ms Doherty said she tried to save money by buying in-season fruits and veggies that help with boosting immune systems.

“The way I pinch my pennies for (fresh fruit and vegetables) that stuff is I actually shop what’s in season, and I tend to always go for the imperfect stuff,” she said.

When kids get sick, often one or both parents get sick as well. Picture: iStock

“So at like Harris Farm, they have an amazing imperfect section, and they’re way more cost effective. They’re just really wonky fruit and veg and they’re perfectly suitable for consumption. They just don’t look great.”

Ms Doherty pointed to foods high in vitamin C.

“(I would) look for stuff that’s high in vitamins,” she said.

“So you know, your oranges (for) vitamin C as it’s a really good, versatile fruit. Kiwi fruits were really good in autumn.”

Bondi local nutritionist and chef, Zoe Bingley-Pullin. Picture: Supplied

Leading nutritionist and working mum Zoe Bingley-Pullin agreed with Ms Doherty who hailed oranges as the “superfood” to help boost your body’s natural immune system.

“Oranges are in season and you can actually freeze them,” Ms Bingley-Pullin, of Bondi, said.

“If you’re cutting them up and freezing them then and there, you’re going to retain a lot of the good nutrition overall. And you can pepper these into your diet. So you can do smoothies, you can do frappés. I make a fabulous, very simple tea at night.

Dropping in some orange peel in your tea with some honey can help with sore throats.

“Through winter, using things like your legumes and pulses, they are fabulous sources of vitamin B, fabulous sources of fibre. And they’re very inexpensive as well.”

Beyond oranges and legumes, Ms Bingley-Pullin also recommended apples, avocados, beetroots, mushrooms, cauliflower, leeks and potatoes work into family meals.

“We want to make sure that we are getting the right food at the right time,” she said.

For parents with picky eaters or kids who have issues with texture, Ms Doherty suggested changing it up a little.

“Not all kids love the texture of like an orange wedge, so that’s why it’s really good to make some little muffins,” she said.

“Or you can even do some little pikelets, smoothies or mash it up and stir them into yoghurt. “The key is you don’t want to fully hide it, because you want them to be aware of what they’re eating.”