A baby is born with an immune system, along with organs, that is still weak and will develop through time. There are experts that say that an immune system will become fully developed when they reach ages 12-14 years of age. So, beforehand, you should be able to provide double protection for your kids.
Colds and flu are everything; it’s as if these viruses are lurking around waiting for your child to become vulnerable before attacking. As a parent, what should you do to protect your adorable child from all of these harmful germs?
We all know that we can’t promise to totally protect our children from harmful elements. But we can at least try to achieve such a feat, right? There are many ways to how we can protect our kids. And one way is to feed them the right food as they grow up and strengthen their immune system. But what are these foods exactly?
1. Yogurt
Yogurt is pretty flexible. You can make this a breakfast for your kids to start their day or as a snack to keep them going through the day. This yummy treat is full of probiotics that can stimulate the immune system and healthy digestion of your kids. It can also produce vitamin B12 and K and a great source of nutrients—which are calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. But be alert; make sure the yogurt you made or bought are low-sugar or no-added-sugar yogurt since sugar has the opposite effect to their immune system.
2. Eggs
Come on, who doesn’t love eggs? Eggs are a brilliant meal for the kids since this super food is full of nutrients perfect for the growing child. Known as a great source of protein, eggs can supply amino acids, which are the fundamentals of hormones, skin, tissues and a lot more in the body. This is important for kids need protein as they grow older, while adults use it to repair their tissues after a workout, strengthen the immune system and maintain lean tissue.
3. Sweet Potatoes
This root vegetable is great for kids since it contains high beta-carotene, which studies revealed has the ability to increase white blood cells and killer cell activity. Also, Sweet Potatoes are a great source of vitamin C, which is popularly known to help strengthen the immune system.
4. Berries
As your kids grow older, you should be able to introduce berries into their diet while they’re young. Why? Berries, which include Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Blackberries and other berries, have antioxidants that boost the body to fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals and protect the body from chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
5. Salmon
Eating salmon is great since it has a long list of benefits for the body. First, it is rich in omega 3 fats that are vital for the development of brains and reduce inflammation, which is important since chronic inflammation can weaken the immune system. Second, it is a great source of protein that helps the body heal itself from injuries, protect bones and maintain muscles as they grow older. The third one is that it is rich in B vitamins, which helps turn food into energy, DNA repairs and helps reduce inflammation. Lastly, it is a good source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure and has selenium and antioxidants.
6. Oats
Known to lower bad cholesterol, Oats are good for your kid’s health since it contains beta glucans, which the body needs to activate killer cells. Oats are full of fiber, slow-burn carbohydrates that will help the energy of your kids last way up to lunch.
7. Broccoli
We all know that broccoli is another super food that shouldn’t be missed. This is seen as an immune booster with all the vitamins in it—vitamins C, A, and E. Not only that, it also has a lot of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and pro-detoxification components. It is known that Broccoli is best eaten when raw since this is the time when it is most nutritious, but kids won’t eat it as is. Why not try to mix it with other foods or prepare a dip to let them taste another flavor while eating the super food.
8. Spinach
Same as Broccoli, Spinach also houses vitamin A, E, C. But it also has features of its own; this leafy vegetable also possesses vitamin K, manganese, folate, selenium, zinc, and iron. All of these vitamins and minerals are can really help strenthen your kid’s immune system.
9. Almonds
Often served as a snack or is mixed with treats, pastries and other meals, almonds also has immune-boosting vitamins and minerals, which are manganese and vitamin E, to activate natural killer cell activity. Moreover, almonds are one of the lowest-calorie nuts and have more calcium than other nuts out there.
10. Seeds
There are a wide variety of seeds; that can be pumpkin, sunflower, flax seeds and more. These seeds are packed with vitamin E, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids that can definitely boost the immune system. Why not make a trail mix and give it to your kids as a snack for them to enjoy anywhere they go.
As a parent, our children are our prized possessions. There is no doubt that we will do our best to protect them at all costs. Even though we know we can’t protect them all the time, we still do our best to protect them through the food we prepare and cook for them. Let your kids enjoy their fun times at the playground by keeping them healthy through the food they eat every day.
Add another layer of protection by letting them play at safe playgrounds. iRec is an indoor playground manufacturer that is recognized to build playgrounds that pass international safety standards and a child’s criteria for thrill and enjoyment. Businesses can also benefit from children’s indoor playgrounds from the company since it attracts families to come to the area and let their kids have fun while they do their errands.
Content retrieved from: https://irec.ph/best-foods-help-children-boost-immune-system/.