In this article

• List of 15 foods to boost the immune system of young children
• Other important tips to boost your child’s immunity

Good food means good health and does not hold up well compared to children. Parents must start their children on a healthy diet from an early age if they are to be able to effectively combat the disease. Include these foods that boost your child’s immune system in your child’s diet.

We all know that a nutritious diet is important for good health, but it is doubly important for children. Their immune system – the body’s defense system against infection and disease – is still developing. Unless they get the nutrition they need, they may find it difficult to fight off colds and other illnesses.

List of 15 foods to boost the immune system of young children

In their growing years, children need the right foods to build a strong immune system that will protect them for life. So, what foods boost the immune system? Here are the top immune-boosting foods that you should definitely add to his diet.

All of these foods are safe to consume for toddlers, i.e. babies above 12 months of age.

1. Nuts

These are the best foods for strengthening the immune system simply because they are rich in essential nutrients – from vitamins and minerals to antioxidants and omega fatty acids. Different types of nuts are good for different benefits as well as different tastes, so be sure to feed your kids walnuts, pistachios, almonds, etc.

How to feed: It is best to offer nuts in powdered form to young children. For older kids (3 and up), you can serve them up or make these simple homemade nut bars. Be careful with nuts as there can be a choking hazard. Discuss with the doctor if your child develops any symptoms of an allergic reaction to nuts.

2. Cheese

Yes, good old cheese that many kids love is also an immune-boosting food! High in zinc, zinc is useful in producing antibodies to fight infection.

How to feed: Cheese goes well with many foods including baked potatoes, sandwiches, etc. Kids also generally love pasta, so try fusilli cheese spaghetti in this red sauce recipe.

3. Mushroom

These vegetables are also packed with zinc which we know boosts immunity. The best part is that different types of mushrooms have antibacterial and antiviral properties as well.

How to feed: Mushrooms go well in many forms, so try curries, pastas, etc. A mushroom roll with other vegetables is also a good and nutritious evening snack.

4. Carrots

This dull red vegetable is very high in beta-carotene – a nutrient that the body converts into vitamin A. It also increases the lining of the body’s mucous membranes which means it is more difficult for bacteria to attack it. Hence, carrots are a great choice to strengthen your child’s immune system and protect him from daily infections.

How to feed: If your little one has recently started eating solid foods, you can offer pumpkin-carrot puree. Delicious Jaggar Ka can be served to older children. Carrots can also be eaten raw as a snack, after washing them well and chopping them up.

5. Raspberry

Berries are a good source of vitamins for children to strengthen their immune system. You can try strawberry, blackberry and raspberry. Although many children are not allergic to berries, some watch for symptoms such as rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or facial swelling.

How to feed: Jamun can be a part of many delicious smoothies and shakes. It can also be served as an oat berry.

6. Ginger

This wonderful food helps your child catch a bad cold. It is one of the best immune boosters for babies and toddlers in the season of change.

How to feed: Ginger can be added to many foods to add flavor and health. You can flavor curry, lentils, etc. with ginger. It can also be added to soups in grated form.

7. Garlic

This food has the ability to fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections. It also stimulates immune system cells to increase antibody production. This means boosting your child’s immune system.

How to feed: Add 1-2 cloves of garlic to food during preparation to add flavor as well as health benefits. Make sure not to overdo it because the taste of garlic is very strong. Some mothers also add boiled garlic cloves to milk and serve it to the children before bed.

8. Papaya

It is a great food for your child’s overall health and immunity. Papayas are rich in potassium, folate, and vitamins, and they help in regulating your child’s overall immunity.

How to feed: Papaya is a wonderful food that you introduce to your baby first in the form of a puree, then in the form of slices.

9. Turmeric

When you’re looking for natural immune-boosting foods, look no further than your spice box! Yes, turmeric is really good for the immune system. It contains an ingredient called Circumin that protects your child from cold, flu, etc.

How to feed: Add a little turmeric to your food during cooking. You can also add a little turmeric to a glass of milk and treat your child from a cold.

10. Chicken

This protein-rich and delicious food is one of the foods that builds the immune system. Chicken is useful for reducing symptoms of colds and fever.

How to feed: You can feed your child chicken in the form of curry, soup, sandwich or even roast. Check out this easy chicken recipe we shared with our mommy chef.

11. Yogurt

Yogurt comes with probiotics, which are good bacteria that benefit the gut. It can reduce cases of diarrhea and reduce the risk of colds and ear infections. While yogurt is the preferred form of probiotics, you can make similar foods that are good for your immune system like yogurt. Introduce these foods into your child’s diet gradually until he has had time to develop a taste for them.

How to breastfeed: Yogurt can be served with regular meals or it can be added to various yoghurt recipes for babies such as smoothies, salads and sorbet.

12. Eggs

Eggs are a complete food and one of the few that naturally contain vitamin D. It also strengthens the immune system of children. However, some babies are allergic to egg whites and others wait to get the yolk until the yolk is at least a year old.

How to feed: You can boil the egg well and mash it or cut the yolk into small pieces. Feed it as is or add it to your regular meals. You can also try these ready-made eggs in no time.

13. Broccoli

Vitamins C and K are packed into broccoli, making it one of the best immune-boosting foods for young children. The right age to introduce this food is when your baby is between 8-10 months as he has the ability to produce gas.

How to Feed: If your child doesn’t seem too fond of broccoli, you can make a creamy soup of it, stew it with cheese, or make a delicious broccoli sandwich.

14. Lentils

Iron-rich lentils can be added to your list of foods that boost your immune system. They are also great soothing foods for relieving cold and flu symptoms if your child already has an infection.

How to feed: Most toddlers eat lentils without much fuss, but if you get it, add carrots, beets, and corn. Wool dal mixed with a little tomato is another way to prepare it.

15. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is an item that is easy to feed to young children and given alone or mashed with rice, most children will eat it easily. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and E as well as calcium, potassium and folate.

How to feed: Why not make sweet pepper pumpkin soup? WL!

Other important tips to boost your child’s immunity

When you are trying to figure out how to build a strong immune system in young children, there are a few other things you need to remember as a parent. Aside from including the above-mentioned foods in your child’s diet, also consider these immune boosting tips. This will prevent your child from getting sick:

• Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Check out this sleep chart for kids to see if your child is getting the required amount of sleep. During sleep, the body regenerates and builds a strong immunity
• Avoid foods that are high in sugar like cakes and cookies for the kids and bottled fruit juices as well. Too much sugar can suppress the immune system
• Help your child stay away from stress by maintaining a calm environment at home and giving him plenty of physical exercise. Stress, when uncontrollable, can weaken immunity
• If your child is getting sick despite making these diet and lifestyle changes, discuss it with the doctor. If necessary, he will be able to recommend the best immune-boosting supplements for children

How to strengthen the immune system in young children? With healthy food, of course! There is a large variety of items to try, and most of them are delicious.