Is your child off sick from school, again?
It's tough seeing them under the weather, and even tougher for you trying to juggle work, childcare and sleepless nights. But here's the thing, it is normal. Did you know that on average, young children get sick 8 to 12 times a year? Their immune systems are still developing, and every little cold or sniffle is part of that process.
Whilst it's tempting to stock up on immune-boosting supplements that promise you the world, our resident Children's Dietitian, Lucy Upton, is here to share a whole host of tips that actually support your child’s immune system…
Do “immunity boosting” supplements actually work?
The short answer? Not usually. The reality is that your child probably only needs to be supplementing with Vitamin D, as Vitamin D is really important for immune functioning. But that high dose of Vitamin C that everybody promises will keep the colds away is probably just passing out into the toilet! The good news is that it’s actually easier than you think to meet your child’s vitamin C needs with everyday foods…
10 real foods to help your child hit their daily dose of Vitamin C:
Children aged 1-3 need around 30mg of Vitamin C a day. That’s the equivalent of one of these…
🥝 Half a kiwi
🍓 5-6 medium strawberries
🍊 A small orange
🥦 2-3 small florets of broccoli
🥭 50g of mango
🫑 1/2 small pepper
🍅 2 tbsp tomato puree
🥬 50g of brussels sprouts
🍍 75g pineapple
🫐 40g blackcurrants
What foods can support my child’s immune system?
70% of immune cells are found in the gut, so it’s key to prioritise gut-friendly foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Click here for more expert tips on how to grow a healthy ‘gut garden’. And over in this blog post, we have some easy ways to add more legumes to your toddler’s diet.
My child is ill and doesn’t have an appetite, what foods can I offer them?
When kids are unwell, it’s completely normal for their appetite to dip! Here are some suggestions:
- Try to offer small, frequent meals and snacks, with lots of opportunities for fluids
- Prioritise some preferred foods that your child is familiar with and may find easier to eat - such as toast, yoghurt, pancakes (have you seen our Banana Pancakes?), crackers and pasta.
- Add extra nutrients where you can, such as topping yoghurt with nut butter, or adding grated apple to porridgeOffer fluid-rich foods, such as fruit, yoghurt, and even meals with sauces like our Mild Chicken Korma or Pasta Bolognese.
- Our Pots for Tots Simple Range is ideal for children going through a stage of fussiness, as sauces are smoother, flavours are more gentle, and we've packed them with hidden veggies.
It’s not a nutrition tip, but it’s incredibly important…
Get your children to wash their hands more regularly! Your immune system will thank you for that too.
If you’re in the depths of sick season, we’re sending you love and solidarity! We hope these tips help make those sickness periods a little easier, and remember that we’re always here to deliver nutritionally balanced meals to your door whenever you need.
Love, team Pots for Tots x
