10 Ways To Build Your Kids Immunity

10  best foods to build your kids immunity.

It’s that time of the year again where kids easily get sick. Be it cold, cough or fever, children are bound to catch the flu quickly. But today it’s not just the flu that we have to worry about.

The world is crippled with the coronavirus pandemic. The Covid-19 has not only been spreading like a wild fire but claiming lives ruthlessly. It’s often the young children and older individuals who are affected by the coronavirus.

While we can’t prevent it completely, we have try our best to seek precautions. After all, precautions are always better than cure. While staying indoors and following the social distancing protocol is the primary thing to do, we can also take care of our diet.

There are certain foods, which are best to build your kids immunity, especially that of the children. I’ve curated a list of a few super foods that are best to eat, especially during these pressing times. But make sure to wash and cook these foods thoroughly before you feed your child.

Also, ensure your child has washed their hands thoroughly before eating. While eating right is a crucial step towards a healthy immunity, practicing hygiene is equally important.

Top 10 things you should include in your daily food consumption to build your kids immunity

1. Almonds: Almonds are rich in vitamin E and manganese, which boost your kids’ immune system and enhance their natural killer cell activity. You can serve almonds as a snack to your child after they come home from school.
   
   
2. Berries: All sorts of berries such as strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and gooseberries are healthy for your kids. While berries are best to be eaten raw, you can mix them in cakes and cookies.
   
   
3. Yogurt: Yogurt is a probiotic that stimulates your immune system. You can feed your child yogurt at least once a day. It is best to mix vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers in yogurt and eat as salad. Do not add sugar and salt in it.
   
   
4. Salmon: Salmon is rich in omega 3 fats, which is essential for developing a child’s brain. It reduces inflammation, which increases airflow and protects the lungs from colds and respiratory infections. You can feed salmon nuggets to your child.
   
   
5. Eggs: A child with deficiency in vitamin D is susceptible to frequent illness. Eggs encourage the production of vitamin D and other immune-boosting nutrients, such as B vitamins and selenium. You can feed your child hard boiled eggs as a quick snack or breakfast. For different options, you can make scrambled eggs and infuse them with vegetables.
   
   
6. Broccoli: Broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrition and boosts immunity when eaten regularly. They contain vitamins C, A and E and a number of antioxidants. You can bake broccoli and serve it with dips. They are a great snacking option when your child comes home from school.
   
   
7. Spinach: Containing a plethora of vitamins and minerals, spinach is a super food to boost your child’s immunity. It has vitamin A, E, C, and K, folate, manganese, zinc, selenium and iron. Your child might make a great fuss about eating spinach as a form of vegetable, you can make spinach smoothies and infuse it with different fruits. You can even make spinach tikkis and serve them with mayonnaise dips. Your child will surely relish it.
   
   
8. Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which studies have shown to increase the number of white blood cells and increase the activity of killer cells. They have abundant vitamin C, which boosts one’s immune system. Boiled sweet potatoes make for a great snack.
   
   
9. Oats: Oats contain beta glucans, a component of fiber that activates killer cells.  These are the cells that fight bacteria, viruses, and other intruders in our bodies. Oats make for a healthy breakfast, which you can serve your child with berries infused in it. Blueberries and strawberries are great fruits you can add in a bowlful of oats.
   
   
10. Seeds: Seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds, boosts a child’s immune system. They contain vitamin E, omega 3 fats and zinc that are beneficial for the overall health of your child. Seeds are supposed to be eaten raw as a form of snacks.