These are trying times today and one sneeze is enough to send everyone into a panic. With 2 kids at home, their immunity is my primary concern and I must confess, as a mom, it is indeed an uphill task.
My son is the kind who likes to touch every surface he can find and his eating habits, have made me cry in the past! Kids are bundles of unflagging energy and when they fall ill, it affects them – their energy, their height gain and their overall development. What also takes a nosedive are their food habits. A compromised immune system accompanied by bad eating habits can really slow down a child's growth.
Did you know that the growth of kids till the age of 2 years is maximum and then they start growing again once they touch adolescence or puberty?
So what happens when your kids do not meet these milestones? Or they do not grow 'as fast' as they should? That's when the right nutrition plays a key part in our child's development. Now the question is- how do I ensure that?
In the back of my mind, I always had this concern as to what can be done to improve her immunity. I knew eating the right meals regularly can actually provide the body with most of the nutrients kids need. And as a mom, I have always tried to make sure that my family eats a well-balanced diet – one which has a good mix of all the essential nutrients that the body needs to remain healthy and support our immune system.
We cannot downplay the importance of essential nutrients and vitamins in our diet
- Proteins are the building blocks of a healthy mind and body. This is an essential macronutrient which can affect the entire body. especially in kids. Foods with high-quality proteins provide more essential amino acids. It plays an essential role in many bodily functions, including building, maintaining and repairing of tissues in the muscles, skin, organs, blood, hair and nails. Protein-rich food kids must eat: eggs, lean meats, beans, lentils and legumes, peanut butter etc.
- Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system and protects the body against infections by keeping skin and tissues in the mouth, stomach, intestines and respiratory system healthy. Food that is rich in Vitamin A that kids must eat: Milk, cheese, eggs, yellow-to-orange vegetables like carrots, yams, and squash, and leafy greens like spinach.
- Vitamin C helps the body build healthy skin and connective tissues. And helps strengthen your body's defence system. Food that is rich in Vitamin C that kids should eat: Citrus fruits like oranges, kiwi, bell peppers, strawberries, Indian gooseberry (amla), tomatoes and broccoli.
- Vitamin E works as an antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from damage due to free radicals. Food that is rich in Vitamin E that kids should eat: Sunflower oil, olive oil, nuts, spinach, broccoli and egg yolks.
- Vitamin D helps to activate immune cells and properly regulate their function. Food that is rich in Vitamin D that kids should eat: milk, fatty fish such as salmon, egg yolks, liver and fortified cereal.
- Zinc is needed for wound healing and for cellular reproduction, which is important in the synthesis of new immune system cells. Food that is rich in Zinc that kids should eat: Legumes, nuts, dairy, eggs and shellfish.
I know practically- you can’t avoid every single illness, but our kids need that extra protection. The one thing that helps bring in the balance to their diet. My daughter was always a good eater, while my son has always been picky. This was affecting his health and I was worried he wouldn't meet his developmental milestones.
My mommy instincts kept telling me that the veggies I was sneaking into his meals and the endless healthy meals I was cooking for the family were not meeting his body's nutritional needs. This vicious cycle of falling ill and the after-effects were taking a toll on my child's health and I was at my wit's end on how to break it.
My paediatrician recommended that in addition to the diet I was trying to feed the kids, I should start on Pediasure. She suggested that by adding this nutrient-dense drink to my child's meal plan, I would reduce the chance of infections to a great extent. She also said that I would notice a definite growth spurt. That caught my attention. A glass of PediaSure contains High-Quality Protein that helps to boost immunity. So giving my child a glass a day sounded like a great option to include in my child's meals.
The kids have been drinking it for a few months now and I have to say as a parent, I am really happy with the outcome. The sick days have definitely gone down and I have seen a height gain in my son. So if you are in the same boat as I was, then you should give this 37 nutrient-rich health supplement a shot!
Sources:
Reference: The total grams represent the minimum daily intake targets. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes, Protein amounts: http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/. Accessed June 27, 2018
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Mirwald, R.L. Baxter-Jones, A.D.G., Bailey, D.A., Beunen G.P. An assessment of maturity from anthropometric measurements. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2002:34(4); 689-694. https://kinesiology.usask.ca/growthutility/phv_ui.php
Neinstein, L.,S., (2014). Puberty – Normal Growth and Development (A1), https://www.use.edu/student-affairs/health Centre/adolhealth/content/al.html
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Ankita Jain
Mansi Zaveri
Payal Kothari
