Best Immune System Boosters for Toddlers

Toddlers and children in general have an immune system which is still under major development. In order to keep it in top shape, you really have to watch your child's diet and provide nutrients that will help boost the immune system and better prevent illness or infection. Listed below are several immune system boosters that are safe and effective for toddlers.

- Give your child plenty of water - it's definitely one of the most significant ways to keep the immune system healthy. Not only does it help to flush out waste and toxins in the body, but it helps to keep a healthy digestive system which is important when it comes to immunity.

- Certain juices, such as orange juice, are great ways to boost your child's immune system. Skip the artificially-flavored or very sugary juices and try to stick to no-sugar-added juices. Orange juice especially packs a lot of vitamin C, a natural immune system booster, and it's even better if you get one that is also fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

- Add more fruits into your toddler's diet. Chances are, your child loves fruit even in his pickiest moments. Try keeping a variety - citrus fruits like oranges and others such as strawberries and blueberries are some of the best when it comes to high amounts of vitamin C and other healthy antioxidants.

- Add more vegetables into your toddler's diet. Unlike fruits, your child will probably be much more picky when it comes to vegetables. Broccoli, spinach, carrots and tomatoes are all great for boosting the immune system. However, if your child refuses to eat it, try giving him a low-sodium vegetable juice or just do what I do - sneak veggies into foods like quesadillas and mashed potatoes to make sure he gets them.

- Incorporate more fish into your family's and child's meals. Oily fish especially, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and mackerel contain essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for the eyes and developing brains of toddlers but are also great when it comes to boosting the immune system. Even just adding fish into your meals once or twice a week will greatly help.

- Nix sugar from your toddler's diet, or at least cut down on it as much as possible. Sugars and sweets tend to inhibit the abilities of the immune system.

- Provide wholegrain foods for your toddler - breads, pastas, etc. If you bake your own things, try baking with whole wheat flour. These are great for keeping the immune system in top shape.

- Cod liver oil supplements are a nice addition if you don't have a lot of fish in your meals or a picky eater. Pills and tablets are widely on the market, but there are more and more safe, natural products becoming available that are safe and easy to give to toddlers. If not in common stores, check health stores or around the internet.

- Vitamin C supplements are also a great choice for children not getting enough of it in their diet. It can be an easy, painless way to boost the immune system. However, some young children are highly sensitive to such supplements, so stop use right away if your child starts developing a rash from the product.

- Toddler multivitamins are also becoming more popular. They have them in the Flinstones brand, both made specifically for toddlers or older children - for older children, it is generally safe to give to children 2 and older when cut in half.

Of course, when it comes to adding supplements into your child's diet, you should always speak to your child's pediatrician about it first.