We always want what’s best for our children. What better way to protect your kid than from the inside out? No matter the virus, common cold or flu, the endless array of germs are ready to attack your little one throughout the year. Since children’s immune systems are weak and underdeveloped, it is crucial to give them a healthy diet to ensure it becomes robust enough to ward off illnesses.
What Are Immune System Boosting Foods for Children?
Stay with us to discover some foods to boost the immune system.
Immune System Fruits
Fruits packed with carotenoids are the ones to look out for! Carotenoids are plant pigments that give fruits deep red, orange and yellow hues. They also contain immune-boosting phytonutrients, as they help naturally promote the production of white blood cells as well as interferon, which is an antibody that helps block out viruses.
Which Fruits Contain Carotenoids?
Fruits that contain carotenoids include apricots, carrots, oranges, grapefruits and squash. Ideally, kids should eat up to five servings of veggies and fruits daily. If your kid is a picky eater, you can use cookie cutters to serve cute shaped fruits or make delicious juices, so your kid enjoys eating healthy.
Citrus Fruits Health Benefits
Vitamin C intake is vital for a robust immune system. However, since the body cannot store this potent vitamin, it is essential to consume it daily instead. Also known as ascorbic acid, it is a water-soluble nutrient that is typically found within leafy greens and citrus fruits. Water-soluble vitamins do not stay within the body for too long. Some of it is absorbed by the body, while the rest secretes through urination. Therefore, a daily intake of vitamin C is recommended.
Citrus fruits are excellent for bolstering the immune system like no other. A healthy immune ensures your body’s natural defense is prepared to protect against bacteria, infections, parasites and viruses. A serving of one small glass of orange juice is enough to gain the recommended amount of daily vitamin C intake, which is 65 to 90 milligrams. Add clementines, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, mangoes, oranges and tangerines to your little one’s fruit bowls to ensure they get plenty of this vitamin C.
Fruit Popsicle Recipe
If your kids get bored of sipping fruit juices, you can always switch things up by serving yummy popsicles. We honestly don’t know any kids who wouldn’t want to enjoy a delightful treat of ice pops. Here is our personal favorite recipe; not only is it kid-friendly, this healthy treat is also excellent for adults. The best part is you only need a handful of ingredients and there are only four steps to it!
- ½ Cup orange juice
- 1 Cup fresh mango juice
- 1 Cup coconut water
- Cut mangoes and oranges.
- Squeeze orange juice and add it to a blender. To this, add mango chunks and coconut water.
- Blend until you get a smooth consistency.
- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.
Benefits of Red Bell Peppers
Did you know red bell peppers are a rich source of vitamin C? To make sure your picky eater munches this yummy veggie, add it to pasta sauce or serve as a pizza topping.
A medium-sized red bell pepper contains 152 milligrams of vitamin C and it is rich in beta carotene, which can help keep your child’s skin and eyes healthy. Beta carotene is a precursor of vitamin A which is essential for a healthy immune system and mucous membranes.
Elderberries have been popularly used in American households as a timeless cold and flu remedy. This delectable berry and its flowers are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C and flavonoids. It helps boost the immune system as well as ease inflammation, lower stress levels and maintain heart health. This natural immune booster for kids and adults is readily available in the market as lozenges, gummies, pills, teas and syrup.
Elderberry Syrup for Kids
If you are looking for the best immune booster for kids one and above, we recommend you try Herbion Naturals Elderberry Syrup. This natural Elderberry Syrup has a raspberry and honey flavor, which feels like a treat. It packs a bolt of high nutrition content that is ideal for good health, no matter the season. Made with wholesome ingredients, this dietary supplement is alcohol-free, dairy-free, corn-free, gluten-free, salt-free, soy-free, wheat-free and yeast-free. Moreover, this syrup is also free of preservatives and artificial sweeteners.
Where to Buy the Best Elderberry Syrup?
Elderberry Popsicle Recipe
Here is an innovative way to let your kids enjoy Elderberry Syrup:
- ¾ Cup water
- 1 Cup coconut water
- 3 Tbsp. dried elderberries
- 1 Cup coconut water
- ½ Cup blueberries
- 2 Tbsp. raw honey
- 1 Lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. grass-fed gelatin
- Herbion Elderberry Syrup
- In a small saucepan, heat water to this add elderberry extract. Bring it to boil and leave to simmer for approximately 15 minutes. Elderberry tea is now ready.
- Strain through a mesh strainer and add honey to it.
- Leave the extract in the saucepan and add gelatin to it.
- Combine both mixtures, place them on a gentle heat until you get a smooth paste. Do not leave it for too long.
- In a blender, combine blueberries, lemon juice and coconut water together.
- Now mix the blueberry mixture with the elderberry mixture.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. You should get approximately six popsicles. To this, add Herbion Elderberry Syrup to each popsicle individually. For children 1-12 years add ½ teaspoon and for children 12 and above add 1 teaspoon.
Papaya Fruit Benefits
This juicy fruit is a potent source of vitamin C and papain, an enzyme that is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. It helps protect your body against bacterial infections such as sinusitis. Papain is also a digestive enzyme that is ideal for aiding digestion.
Furthermore, papayas are a vital source of vitamin A which promotes good vision and prevents it from deteriorating, which makes it excellent for adding to your kid’s meals, especially for those who spend an ample amount of time in front of the computer, mobile or tablet.
How to Boost Immune System Naturally with Broccoli?
If your picky eater is repelled by broccoli, it could be a bit of a challenge to get him to eat it. However, you can find a ton of recipes online to sneak in this must-have vegetable. After all, broccoli benefits growing kids immensely. This superfood contains vitamin E, C and A. Loaded with phytochemicals, it helps strengthen the immune system. This veggie is a potent source of zinc, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.
Furthermore, broccoli also contains sulforaphane and lutein, which are potent antioxidants. Lutein is a natural carotenoid also found in abundance in leafy green veggies, such as kale and spinach. The key to eating these veggies is to cook them as little as possible since raw leafy greens have the highest nutrition levels.