Kids get sick. So how can we as parents keep our precious table, floor and finger-licking children healthy? The short answer: keep their immune systems strong. Below are some holistic cold and flu prevention tips and some food ideas to “sneak” some health into their lunch box.
The truth is, boosting the immune system starts at home with a goodnight sleep and a healthy breakfast. I’ve put together the top 8 holistic health tips for raising healthy kids with strong immune systems.
Top 8 Holistic Health Tips for Healthy Kids:
Tip # 1
Green smoothies are a great way to start the day and get a lot of concentrated nutrients and fiber into the system to keep their immune system strong. Smoothies are great because you can hide fresh greens like kale or collard greens in them. If the taste is too bitter, add a pitted date, pear or apple.
Add a tablespoon of healthy fat like flaxseeds, chia seeds, avocado, or extra virgin coconut oil, which are great for their brain and also help them absorb the carotenoids in the greens.
Tip # 2
A good quality probiotic will help greatly with chronic infections, colds, increased immunity and flu prevention.
Eating fermented foods like raw sauerkraut or kombucha can help as well. Our immunity starts in the intestinal track and having the good bacteria out number the bad bacteria can fight off unwanted bugs a lot easier.
Tip # 3
Cod Liver Oil is fantastic during the winter months to help ward off the cold and flu. It has a good balance of DHA and EPA, which helps balance out the amount of Omega 6 we get in our diet. It also helps lower infections, helps with dry winter skin and has Vitamin D and A that help support your immune system.
Tip # 4
Extra Vitamin D is needed in the winter months because if you live in the northern hemisphere it’s very difficult to absorb Vitamin D from October till April. Vitamin D is responsible for intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate just to name a few benefits.
Tip # 5
Make sure they wash their hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Look for a gentle, fragrance-free, paraben-free, environmentally-friendly soap for your child’s delicate hands.
Tip# 6
Get outside on warmer days and get fresh air and sunshine. It is way more toxic inside then outside and the exercise helps with immunity.
Tip # 7
Try to reduce white sugar! Sugar is in a lot of things like soft drinks, ice cream and most processed sweets.
Sugar will suppress the immune system, upset the mineral relationships in the body and can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children. This goes for processed carbohydrates as well, like white bread and pasta. They can lower the immune response, which can lead to chronic infections.
Tip #8
- Eat a balanced diet with whole foods,
- lots of fresh fruits and vegetables,
- try to eliminate or reduce gluten,
- reduce toxic chemicals in your home and
- drink lots of filtered water
Healthy Kids Lunch Box Ideas:
Vegetables
- Carrot Sticks
- Celery Sticks
- Baby Green Salad
- Cucumber Slices
Whole Grains/Legumes
- Rice wraps with veggies and pesto or hummus
- Gluten Free Cookies
- Rice Cake with hummus
- Air popped Popcorn with coconut oil
- Lentils or Bean Brown Rice, Millet, Cooked Beans or Quinoa
Protein
- Almond Butter with celery sticks
- Chicken
- Fish
Fruit Treats
- Apple
- Pear
- Dates
- Orange
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Peach
- Grapes or Raisins
Making it a Lifestyle
It seems like a lot, but it becomes a lifestyle. Plus you can always hide supplements in their smoothies.
Let your kids help with making their meals and lead by example. Kids are going to get sick; it helps build their immune system. But the amount, severity and length can be reduced with just a healthy whole foods lifestyle.
Do you have kids at home? Did you find these tips helpful? Are there any additional tips and tricks that you’ve learned that you can share with our readers? Share all your comments and feelings below. We want to hear it!
Wasn’t that a great article? Kim has even more great information on her website! You’ll want to check out her site by clicking here to get the scoop on all the latest information related to every stage of life. We love her informative, hands-on workshops also. Click here to check out one of these today!
