Boost Your Toddler's Immunity: 8 Immune-Boosting Ingredients and Delicious Recipes to Include in Your Daily Diet!

Boost Your Toddler's Immunity: 8 Immune-Boosting Ingredients and Delicious Recipes to Include in Your Daily Diet!

Including natural immune boosters in your toddler's diet aids their little body to fight illnesses. In this era of the COVID-9 pandemic, it is vital that their immune system is well supported. Here are 8 simple ingredients present in your kitchen that must be included in your child's diet. We also added simple recipes for dishes that your child is sure to love. Get cooking and supplement your child's diet with these delicious immune-boosting foods.

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Importance of Boosting a Toddler's Immune System

Immune system is the bodyguard that protects our body from unwanted infections. It fights with viruses, fungi, parasites and helps in repairing our tissues. It also secures our body of toxins and other allergy-inducing substances to enter the body through mucosal surfaces. Our immune system has a team of cells, tissues and organs that fights against illness, germs etc continuously which leads to whooping cough, diarrhoea, and other infectious diseases.

When the whole world is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, the best thing to do is to strengthen our immune system and especially the kids' because toddlers have low immunity, therefore, are prone to catching infections easily. It is important to include nutrients like amino acids, fatty acids, vitamin A, B6, B 12, C and E with a lot of copper, iron and selenium to strengthen their immune system.

Young kids are more prone to catching viruses as they come in contact with a lot of substances. It is important to maintain hygiene at home at a young age as most of the immune system is developed by the time they reach 7 or 8 years of age.

A toddler's digestive system, their reproductive and central nervous system are in a developing stage and they are very vulnerable at this stage. They crawl or fall and touch the ground; they put everything in their mouth resulting in a load of pesticides, dust or contaminated soil getting in their mouth.

There are many ways you can get your toddler's immune system to work properly. Vitamin C is great for boosting immunity. Fruits like oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach can do wonders for a kid's immune system. Our body does not produce vitamin C, therefore, it is essential to take it through foods or supplements. Similarly, vitamin B6 supports biochemical reaction; you can give chicken, tuna or salmon for B6. Foods like green vegetables and chickpeas are also high in vitamin B6. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant which helps in fighting off infection. Include nuts, seeds and spinach in your child's daily diet for an ample dose of vitamin E.

8 Foods That Will Boost Your Toddler's Immunity This Monsoon

We wait for the monsoon all year long, it brings a lot of joy to smell that raw fragrance of wet soil and eat a plate full of pakodas but monsoon also brings a lot of infection with it. People suffer from water-borne diseases and allergic reactions during monsoon. It is important to eat nutritious food to regulate your metabolism. You can whip up a lot of goodies with ingredients and foods which will help in boosting your toddler's immune system this monsoon season.

Turmeric

Turmeric is known as a miracle herb. It is a great immunity enhancing spice. Turmeric has 3 -5 % of curcumin which is an antioxidant. According to Ayurveda it cleanses our blood, eradicates toxins and works on our digestive system. It also clears the respiratory tract and has great anti-inflammatory properties which help to ease cold and flu.

The best way to incorporate turmeric in your toddler's diet is to add a pinch of turmeric in his milk right before he goes off to bed. You can also add some saffron to enhance the medicinal quality of the milk. If the child is suffering from congestion you can boil a cup of milk and add one tsp of turmeric in it. It will clear chest congestion and help him breathe easily.

Spinach

Another great immunity booster food is spinach. It is also known as a superfood. Spinach not only boosts your immunity but also repairs your DNA and increases the production of cells in the body. It helps in producing white blood cells which is important for the immune system. Eating spinach regularly gives you an ample amount of fibre and beta carotene which helps in fighting off bacterial infections.

Spinach has its own distinctive taste and the green colour makes it look more delicious. Remember Popeye eating it and fighting the bad guys, it actually does that, it makes your body strong. It is said that spinach originated in Persia and not it is one of the most used plants in tons of dishes. It is low in calories and is packed with antioxidants and vitamins. It also has a huge amount of vitamins C, A and E which fights off the infections and strengthens the blood cells. The minerals found in spinach boost your immune system in a magical way. You can incorporate spinach in many ways. Here is a delicious recipe of scrambled eggs with spinach you can make for your toddler. He will enjoy his breakfast and gain a lot of nutrients from it.

Scrambled Eggs with Spinach


Ingredients
  • 1 (12-ounce) package baby spinach leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion (minced)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 8 eggs (beaten)
  • Pinch of salt (or to taste)
  • Pinch of pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

Method:
  • Chop the spinach into small pieces
  • Take olive oil in a pan and add onion and garlic
  • Cook it until it turns crisp
  • Now, add spinach and cook until it’s well cooked. It should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Let the water from the spinach dry off.
  • Take another bowl and beat heavy cream, add eggs, salt, pepper and thyme till it becomes foamy.
  • Add this mixture in the pan with onion and garlic and stir well.
  • Sprinkle some cheese on it and serve with brown bread or roti to your toddler.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin and other vegetables from the same family are packed with antioxidants, vitamins A and C. It is also loaded with manganese, magnesium and foliates which is excellent for boosting the immune system. Pumpkin is eaten in India in various ways but most of us don't know the health benefits of pumpkin. They are loaded with fibre which clears of constipation and the antibacterial properties help in killing intestinal worms. Pumpkin is also rich in antioxidants which help in fighting the disease-causing free radicals.

Getting the kids to eat pumpkin could be tricky but if you know how to make a delicious dish out of pumpkin you can easily convince them to eat and gain its benefits. Here is a recipe for pumpkin soup. It is easy to make and serves as a great snack for kids as well as adults.

Easy Pumpkin Soup


Ingredients
  • ½ medium-sized pumpkin
  • ½ medium onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup cream (it's better to get homemade cream, else you can use store-bought fresh cream)
  • 1-2 tbsp butter * salt and pepper to taste
  • Coriander leaves to garnish

Method
  • Start with peeling and chopping pumpkin in small cubes, don't forget to remove the seeds.
  • Take a bowl and melt butter in it.
  • Add onions in it and fry it till it is soft
  • Add pumpkin in it and sauté it till it is brown. Add salt and pepper (can leave it out)
  • Add 3 cups of water and cook till pumpkin is soft enough to mash it easily
  • Take it off the flame and let it cool
  • Take the pumpkin and grind it into a puree, if you like to you strain it to make it into a smooth soup
  • Take the pumpkin puree and pour it in the bowl, add fresh cream in it.
  • Boil it on low flame now garnish it with coriander leaves.
  • Serve it to your toddler and watch him gulp it all in no time.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are delicious and you can eat them in many different ways. They are rich in fibre, potassium, vitamins and other nutrients. They are also high in beta carotene which helps in increasing the white blood cells. They also give you an ample amount of vitamin C which is great for immunity boosting.

It is quite easy for you to get your kids to eat sweet potatoes because of its sweet taste and a smooth texture. Did you know that a 124g serving of sweet potato gives you 12.8 mg of vitamin C? So, next time you go out shopping, load a lot of sweet potatoes for your family, especially for your little one.

Here is how you can make tasty sweet potato pancakes:
These pancakes are great because it does not have any flour in it. You can add some vanilla extract and some cinnamon in it to enhance its flavour. You can also pour some maple syrup or put some butter on it before serving it to your toddler.

Sweet Potato Pancakes


Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato (the flesh from 1 medium-small cooked sweet potato)
  • 2 eggs
  • Oil or butter for cooking
Optional Seasonings
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch of ground ginger
  • pinch of allspice
  • pinch of salt
Method:
  • Take sweet potato and eggs and whisk them together.
  • Add the seasonings in it if you like
  • Now take a pan and heat oil or butter in it
  • Take a tablespoon full of the mixture and drop it on the pan.
  • Flip it and cook for 5 minutes till it gets golden brown, cook on low flame
  • Add the topping of your choice and serve.

Mushrooms

Not all mushrooms look pretty but most of them are packed with nutrients which are healthy for you and can strengthen your immune system. Mushrooms have been used since ages by eastern medical practitioners because they are loaded with immune-boosting compounds. They are packed with Vitamin D and antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory properties. They work wonders when it comes to the fighting of cancer, viruses and other illnesses. They are also very rich in polysaccharides which maintain the structure of your cells resulting in a healthy immune system.

Mushrooms are great for non-vegetarians. You can make many different delicious dishes of mushroom and serve it to your toddler. You can try this crunchy mushroom popcorn for your toddler. They will love it for sure.

Mushroom Popcorns


Ingredients

  • 300 grams of button mushrooms
  • A cup of dried breadcrumbs
  • A cup of dried oregano
  • Olive oil
  • Half a lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp of sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp of honey
  • 2 tbsp of soy sauce

Method

  • Wash the mushrooms well and put them in a bowl
  • Add oregano, sesame seeds, soy sauce, honey, lemon zest and marinate it for a while
  • Take the mushrooms and coat them with breadcrumbs
  • Put them on a baking tray
  • Preheat your oven and bake them
  • Serve it to your toddler with a glass of milk and watch them devour it all.

Fish

You must have heard a lot of doctors recommending eating fish, it is because it is packed with omega 3 and zinc. Fish like tuna, mackerel and salmon are great when it comes to boosting your immune system. Omega 3 is not produced by our body but it is very essential for a healthy immune system. Zinc on the other hand repairs damaged cells therefore both of these elements are needed for a healthy immune system.

Here is a recipe for a homemade tasty fish stick. Kids love it.

Homemade Fish Sticks


Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cup bread crumbs, plain
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon chives, fresh, chopped
  • 1/3 cup flour, all-purpose
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 fillet fish, flounder
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil

Method
  • Take the bread crumbs, cheese, and chives and run them in a food processor
  • Take the crumbs and spread them on a plate
  • Take the flour and put it on a different plate
  • Now beat the egg with water and salt
  • Take the fish, remove its skin and cut into long pieces.
  • Dust the fish with some flour, then dip it in eggs and immediately coat it in the bread crumbs and put them aside.
  • Take a pan and heal oil in it
  • Put the coated fish in it and fry until golden brown, make sure it is cooked well.
  • Take it out and place it on a paper napkin to blot extra oil from it
  • Serve with tomato sauce

Citrus Fruits

We already know the benefits of citrus fruits. Fruits like oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit are a great source of vitamin C which is excellent for boosting your immune system. They are packed with vitamins and plant compounds. Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells. Summer is here and so is the heat. It is important to keep your kids hydrated. You can either give them a whole lot of water but if you offer them citrus fruit induced water they would like it more. The fresh smell of the fruit and the sweet taste will tempt them to drink it more.

Citrus Fruit Infused Water for Kids


Ingredients:
  • 1/2 small orange
  • 1 round slice lemon
  • 1 round slice lime

Method:
  • Cut the oranges. Cut lemon and lime into two halves
  • Put them in a bottle and fill the bottle with cold water and put the lid back on
  • Leave it for 10 minutes and serve it to your kid every time he wants water. You can easily refill it as many times you want.
  • You can take the oranges out, drain them and give it to your kids to eat if they want.

Yogurt

Yogurt is another food that is packed with millions of health benefits. It fights against gastrointestinal illnesses and makes your body strong enough to fight off infections. You can look for Greek yogurt rather than the plain one and serve it to your kid with added fruits, nuts or honey on it.

The bacteria L. bulgaricus in yogurt is known to enhance your immune system and give you a longer life. It is packed with calcium, protein and probiotics which is the good bacteria which keeps your gut healthy and boosts your immune system.

Here is a recipe of a delicious yogurt fruit smoothie you can make the next time you kid is hungry.

Yogurt Fruit Smoothie:


Ingredients:
  • Ripe banana
  • Orange juice – 2 tbs
  • Strawberries frozen – 1/4 cup
  • Vanilla flavored or plain yoghurt – 1/2 cup

Method:
  • Take the fruits and run them in a food processor
  • Mix it with the yogurt and run it again till it becomes smooth
  • Serve nice and cold

Other Natural Ways to Boost Your Toddlers Immunity

There are many other natural ways through which you can boost your toddler's immune system.

  • You can try giving your little guy a massage with Ayurvedic massage oil. It will help him stay calm and repair his tissues as well as increase his circulation as well. This massage is known as Abhyanga in Ayurveda and it helps to relax your child's nervous system and enhances their mental health. You can also use sesame oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, and ghee for massaging the baby if you like.

  • Children get sick often but try to avoid the use of antibiotics unless needed. Although antibiotics are life saves when it comes to major infections but most of the time they are not needed. Simple home remedies for small discomforts do just as well.

  • Make sure your child gets an ample amount of sleep. Make a sleep schedule for your kid. Kids need around 10 to 14 hours of sleep to stay healthy.

  • Avoid giving too much sugar to the kids. Give them a lot of fruits instead.

  • Mother's milk for colostrums is essential for kids. Breastfed kids are much healthier than formula-fed once. Colostrum is packed with immune-boosting antibodies but when the kid is a toddler and not nursing anymore you can give them grass-fed cow's milk.

  • Teach your kid the art of hand-washing. Children tend to touch everything and then put their hands in their mouth which leads to many infections. Teach them to wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to reduce the chances of contracting infection.
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Bonus Tips: Natural Immune Boosters!

The immune system for children evolves throughout childhood. So, it is vital that you include immune boosters in their diet. Apart from the usual foods like turmeric, spinach and such, you need to include foods rich in vitamin D, vitamin A and zinc. Make sure they get lots of fresh air. Take them on walks in the woods or in parks. Sleep is also very important. It is when his body makes the precious white blood cells. Also, reduce the their sugar consumption during the day and increase probiotics.