Wake up to September!
It's September again! One reason to love September is it kick starts a month-long celebration of organic food and lifestyle options now available. On the other hand, September is one of those months that seem to be all about change. Whether it's the slightly darker nights, the drop in temperature or the kids starting a new school year - or even a new school, these changes bring about the ideal conditions for viruses to thrive. And so, the back-to-school season often brings with it an increase in colds, flu and other illnesses and infections. Here, we share a few important tips to help support your child's health throughout the year but specifically now with the change in seasons.
Nutrition
As always, food takes first priority. In order to keep their immune systems fighting against the bugs and viruses of their classmates, children need a wide variety of colourful fruits and veggies. With the growth and popularity of veggie juices and smoothies, (not to forget vegetable-based 'pasta'!) it's easier to offer pleasant-tasting disguises for kids (or adults!) who are perhaps not quite so keen on the flavour or texture of pure fruits and vegetables. Aim to ensure your child is eating a wide variety of different colours of fruits and vegetables daily - think of the colours of the rainbow and try to encourage children to eat all the colours of the rainbow. This can help to make sure your child is taking in a wide spectrum of essential vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and trace minerals. It might be helpful to get your creative side out and create a colour chart that can be fun and feel like an accomplishment when your child eats the 'different colours of the rainbow. Choose organic fruit and vegetables where possible to try to limit pesticides and unnecessary chemicals.
And let's not forget about the benefits of oily fish. Oily fish is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids which are vital for learning, memory and concentration. However, a less well-known function of them is their ability to support the immune function. This is a double whammy, making fish a great addition to a balanced nutritious diet. Healthy eating is easier when you can plan ahead. Batch cooking is a great option for quick yet balanced meals. Plan ahead, and if practical, try to involve your children in the food preparation and save the more time-consuming recipes for the weekend.
Supplementation
Growing children thrive on a balanced diet. Unfortunately, achieving a perfectly balanced, wholesome diet, especially for smaller children, is not always as simple as it sounds. Vitamin D is a real hot topic in recent years since studies show many of us do not get anywhere near the required levels of vitamin D. This is also true of vitamins A and C. This has prompted the Department of Health to recommend that all children aged between six months to five years are given daily supplements containing vitamins A, C and D. These nutrients are vital to support a healthy immune response, in addition to normal growth and development. A good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement will provide each of these but it is usually best to supplement vitamin D separately. We like Viridian's ViriKid Vitamin D3 drops which are pleasant tasting and easy to use. Nature's Plus also have an excellent range of supplements developed especially for children. Nature's Plus range of children's are chewable and suited to children aged two years and over.
Another hot topic in immune system health is probiotics. There is overwhelming research to support the role probiotics have, not only in digestive health & mental wellbeing but also in immune health too. Taking a good quality probiotic supplement has the potential to reduce infections and sick days needed off school. Taking a probiotic with the appropriate strain and strength is also linked to a reduction in the need for use of over-the-counter cold and flu remedies as well as antibiotics prescriptions. If you need advice on which probiotic is most suited to your child, come in-store and have a chat with us, or if you prefer you can browse more information on our product pages here:
With so many to choose from, we understand it can be overwhelming to decide which will be the most beneficial. And that's what we're here for after all! With an average of 15 years of experience in the Health Food trade, our staff are happy to share our knowledge and experiences.