Most of us millennial moms are in a nuclear family set up today and feel scared at the possibility of our kids getting sick. Children with their developing immunity system are especially prone to catching such infections with seasonal changes.
As a parent I always want my kids to stay healthy and fight off infections. However, to keep the children safe and away from infections, we can’t hold them back from things they like to do. One thing we can certainly do is fill their plate with immunity-boosting foods, thus ensuring healthy body and immunity to fight against seasonal changes and infections.
With two kids now, I strongly believe that children can eat anything served on the plate as long as it’s tasty and that’s why most of the times they gravitate towards candies, chocolates, cookies and everything else that give them a sugar rush. They recoil at the thought of eating vegetables because of its bland taste. Thus, I try and ensure that my children get immunity-boosting foods that are included in substantial meals, served every day and have all the nutrition that a developing body needs.
So, what’s the right diet plan to boost a child’s immunity in India? Well, the right diet plan would mainly consist of powerful antioxidants that are rich in vitamin C. Ensuring proper water intake and staying hydrated at all times, eating green leafy vegetables and loading up on nuts and seeds daily are some tips to keep your child’s immunity in check. I’ve made a list of immunity-boosting foods that will do wonders for your child’s body.
Here are a few superfoods and the right diet plan to boost the child’s immunity
- Fruits & vegetables: All seasonal fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Although these fruits are low in calories, they are a great source of vitamins that help in boosting the immunity of a child. You could include seasonal fruits like guava, oranges, papaya, berries and vegetables like pumpkin, onions, dark green leafy vegetables etc. that are great immunity boosters.
- Yoghurt: Yoghurt is a great dairy product that helps in boosting immunity. It acts as a protective and anti-infection agent. Increased consumption of yoghurt can help in increasing the body’s immunity to fight with infection.[i] Since it’s also packed with calcium and several other nutrients it helps in maintaining strong bones.
- Nuts and more: Most of the nuts are loaded with immunity-boosting vitamins and minerals, so they definitely deserve a place in your child’s diet.
- Proteins: Proteins contains ample amount of amino acids are a must for building immunity. They are found in large quantity in poultry, cheese, eggs, and milk. Since we are vegetarians we bank mostly on grains and legumes like soybeans, rajma, chickpeas etc. for our protein intake.
- Indian Spices: Indian spices and condiments have antibacterial properties that help in boosting immunity.[ii] You could include these spices like garlic, ginger and turmeric in your diet which in turn helps in the production of white blood cells.
Providing immunity-boosting foods to children is the best way to make them strong and it also helps in increasing their growth rate as well. Aside from all these foods mentioned above I also focus on giving health drinks regularly that are power-packed with minerals and nutrients that boost the overall immunity of my kids. PediaSure is one such brand that has been a constant part of my children’s daily routine and diet.
But why PediaSure?
It contains 37 vital nutrients and when given along with healthy food, it can certainly boost a child’s immunity and growth.
I am sure every parent wishes to have an active and healthy life for their child, and this includes regular physical activity as well. We all should encourage kids to engage in physical activities that will help with blood circulation, supports the flow of nutrients and also balances their energy levels. Along with good and nutritious food, you also need to ensure that children grow with a substantial amount of natural immunity within them. And this immunity can come from the combination of good food and natural play.
I am sure the healthier your child, the happier you are.
[i]https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/immune_system_boosting_foods
[ii]https://www.cntraveller.in/story/boost-your-immunity-eat-indian-superfoods-haldi-turmeric-amla-home-remedies-coronavirus/
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Now I can say this is a healthy post for our kids where every mom need to focus on which our kids eat as it’s really important to see what thy eat… This is a detailed and a helping hand post for our kids thank you so much for sharing…
I have always used Pedisure for my kids. I know its full of nutrients, hence beneficial ,plus my kids love the chocolate flavour one.
Thanks for sharing this list. Kids don’t prefer eating healthy food but if we make the food little creative ot can work wonders.
Bringing up a child in a nuclear family does have its challenges. A proper immunity-boosting diet is so important for the child as this forms the foundation for long term health over the years.
Ever since the lockdown i have been high on protein and immunity boosting food. I have been behind my child to eat all the leafy veggies and turmeric milk and fruit juices. I hadn’t a clue tho that yogurt is helpful too.
Wow! what a coincidence…I just got a few things for my home and kids from iHerb. Love their range and so cost-effective. And yes, Pediasure is our fav too.
Right diet plan for kids is very essential.. I always suffered from protein deficiency as a kid… Pediasure is definitely a great choice!
I can so relate Rakhi. Pediasure indeed has been my trust too when it comes to ensuring my kid’s immunity
Proper nutrition is necessary to boost immunity in kids. I too give pediasure to my son along with proper diet chart.
Proper nutrition is much needed in growing years for overall development. Pediasure is even recommend by doctors.
My son is in general a picky eater but thankfully he is ok with fruits and veggies. Yogurt is ok with him in form of lassi. nuts is what I want to make him eat more.
These are the healthy ways to strengthen immune system. A healthy and balanced diet plays a vital role in staying well. Great thoughts.
Immunity has become primary concern specially in this time when even catching cold has become a crime.
Boosting immunity through healthy diet is very important for the little humans to be safe and healthy. Nice post.
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
Right nutrient content in food has become even more important during this crisis. Healthy diet with physical activities can definitely boost kids immunity.
Right diet is so essential for the kids , as sooner we start to build immunity the better. Pediasure is surely an important part of our lives as we cannot always have right mix of nutrients in our meal.
Giving the right foods a d nutrients to kids is so important for mothers. Thank God pediasure takes care of 37 vital nutrients that children require.
We have been searching for ways to boost the immunity of my nephew too. Have tried dried fruits and protein too, will surely try Pediasure now.
Pediasure is a great and trustworthy brand and I had used it for my both girls and get results. Loved your post Rakhi, you had shared really great pointers for maintaining a good level of immunity in our kids. indeed sometimes, along with proper diet kids need suppliments and pediasure is best option for it.
this is a wonderful option for moms who worry about their kids getting the right nutrition. I have seen many doctors also suggesting the same.
Pediasure is a favorite in our home too Rakhi for years now, like you I too can vouch for it buddy
Milk and milk products are number one followed by fruits at my home with kids. But still I give them pediasure, as a booster and overall nutrition.
Nothing comes before a balanced diet. What your kids eat is really important and as a parent one should keep an eye on the same. Great and informative blog post
Healthy eating is much needed in growing years for overall development as well as boosting immunity. My Pediatrician also recommend pediasure in growing years
These are good and useful information. Definitely easy to include in our diets. you have given me the idea to add curd to our meal from today and 1 service of fruit snack as part of the routine now.
Right nutrition is a must for the growing age . Your tips are so helpful for we mom’s to maintain a proper diet plan for our kids.
It is necessary for all to build up better immunity and Pediasure is good option for that. I have included more plants in my diet now.
The sudden focus on building immunity led me to do some food-related research. I discovered that Indian diet is rich in herbs and spices. Our generous use of turmeric powder and seeds, such as pumpkin, chia, and flax has been working very well for us. Probiotics, lemonade and use of a variety of grains can also be done from time to time.
Thanks for the food suggestion that are needed for a balanced nutritious diet. Yes, Indian spices too are important for the same and so is Pediasure. Sometimes my son eats less so Pediasure assures me.
This is one brand that I have often seen my house, my sister inlaw gives this her kids regularly. I agree it is indeed important to improve the immunity of our kids, especially in these times.