How to boost your child's immunity with yogurt, nuts & veggies

As a mother you want your child to always be hale and hearty. However, a slight change in the weather can cause your child to fall prey to seasonal illnesses and problems. And there is another child who is of the same age as your child, but he or she is fine with no signs of illness. Why so you ask yourself. What is that his or her mother giving special that you are not giving? The chances are that she is feeding her child with seasonal fruits and veggies rather than party food. But then you too want your child to be like hers, so how do you ensure that your child stays healthy always?

What Is Immunity?

Before you go further and learn how you can boost your child's immunity, let's learn what immunity is and how it affects the growth of your child. So immunity is an ability by which we resist or fight infections or toxins by the action of specific antibodies or sensitised white blood cells.

Children have weak immunity as their immune system is still developing and hence is not capable of fighting all the infections thus they tend to fall sick more often. So if your child is falling sick regularly and especially during the seasonal changes then you need to ensure that you boost his or her immunity to let him enjoy and play.

How Can I Build My Child's Immunity?

There are various methods by which you can build your child's immunity. You can start by introducing hygiene habits to your child like—

1. Hand washing:Make it a practice to ensure that your child washes his or her hands once he or she is back from the play, before and after eating anything. Clean hands ensure less chances of infection getting spread
2. Healthy diet:Reduce the intake of junk food and encourage your child to eat healthy. A daily consumption of one seasonal fruit is a must for your child to build his or her immunity
3. More sleep time: Even though if your child is not interested in sleeping ensure that he lies down for that period of time in a darkened room with no light. Switch off all the gadgets and let there be a pin drop silence in the room

Can I Build My Child's Immunity Through Food?

Yes, you can build your child's immunity through food. You can give food rich in protein and vitamin C to give a required immunity boost to your child. Include five servings of seasonal fruits to help him or her to fight the infections and stay healthy. Although food will definitely help in building your child's immunity, do ensure that he or she eats healthy and avoid junk food, secondly are practicing good hygiene.

Which Foods Can I Give To Build My Child's Immunity?

Here are 4 must-have foods that will help in building your precious little ones immunity, making him/her strong, healthy and happy.

1. Curd: If your child has one bowl of curd daily, they will be protected from stomach and cold problems. Curd contains good bacteria which helps your child fight against bad bacteria, while reducing gas and stomach problems
2. Colourful veggies: -Vegetables are the best source of mineral and vitamins. These are very important for your child to make him/her fit. Green leafy vegetables like spinach or fenugreek contain iron which helps to increase haemoglobin in the body
3. Fruits: As the saying goes –"an apple a day keeps the doctor away" - so make it a point to give at least one fruit daily to your child, as that will maintain the glucose levels in his/her body. Please note – I'm recommending you give whole fruits, and not juices or any other health drinks
4. Nuts: Nuts are the best source of vitamins. I remember in winter, my mother used to make me dry fruit laddoos, and she said "beta isse body garam rehti hai or sehat bhi banti hai". Almonds contain vitamin E which also helps to enhance memory

Do Antibiotics Have Adverse Effects On The Immune System

Yes, medications especially antibiotics tend to weaken the immune system thus making your child fall sick often and regularly. Hence avoid medication and antibiotics – unless prescribed the paediatrician. Antibiotics are given to babies to kill bad bacteria and viruses in their body, but don't give these if it not prescribed or absolutely necessary, because they can kill both good and bad bacteria in your child's body, which lowers their natural immunity and makes babies cranky!

Healthy Diet For Your Child To Build Immunity

Like mentioned earlier a healthy diet goes a long way in building and boosting your child's immunity. Hence ensure that your toddler is taking two healthy main meals through the day that comprises of daal, rice or chappati, and two kinds of vegetables. Of course, it also depends upon his or her diet and taste. But do ensure that he or she take veggies – either pureed and kneaded in a dough or in a soup – the choice is yours.

So, my friends follow these simple points to help your precious little ones stay fit and healthy! I'm waiting for your response. Love to all your cute babies!!

Did you find Deepika's tips on boosting your child's immunity naturally useful? How do you keep your little one healthy and happy? Do leave your comments…. We love hearing from you!