What foods should children eat to boost their immunity during the cold season?

My child often gets sick when the weather is cold. What nutrients should I give him from which foods to boost his immunity? (Minh Lan, Hanoi )

Reply:

Cold weather and unpredictable rain and sunshine can easily weaken children's immune systems, making them susceptible to respiratory illnesses. To prevent these illnesses, you need to maintain a balanced diet and supplement your child with essential micronutrients to boost their immunity.

First is vitamin C – an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system, helping to fight off pathogens. Vitamin C helps children prevent common colds, anemia, subcutaneous bleeding, bleeding gums, tooth loss, and some infectious diseases.

Natural and safe sources of vitamin C for children's health include fresh fruits and vegetables such as oranges, tangerines, strawberries, guavas, mangoes, papayas, and tomatoes; and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, amaranth, and water spinach.

You may also like

What can you do to protect your health in Ha Tinh during winter?(Baohatinh.vn) - The recent increase in the number of people suffering from influenza A and related respiratory illnesses, allergies, etc., in Ha Tinh shows the harmful effects of weather changes on human health.

Foods that increase the risk of early puberty

Imported dates are sold everywhere in the market, but this group of people shouldn't eat them.As a fruit rich in energy and nutrients, dates are suitable as a healthy snack, but people with diabetes or those managing their weight should exercise caution.

Vitamin D supports children's height development and influences their immune system. This micronutrient is abundant in meat, fish, eggs, milk, and fatty fish. If daily food intake cannot meet the child's needs, vitamin D can be supplemented through dietary supplements, drops, sprays, or medication as prescribed by a doctor.

Zinc is a building block of enzymes and immune cells. Zinc deficiency often causes loss of appetite, stunted growth, digestive disorders, and especially weakened immunity, leading to frequent illnesses and poor physical and mental development in children.

Zinc is not stored in the body. Therefore, you need to supplement your child's zinc intake regularly every day through food. This nutrient is found in beef, fish, eggs, milk, clams, oysters, mussels, and oilseeds.

Selenium is a micronutrient that has a similar effect on immune cells as zinc. Selenium is mainly found in red meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, or can be supplemented with multivitamins.

You should also give your child probiotics to boost their immune system, improve digestion, and prevent respiratory illnesses such as common colds, coughs, and runny noses. In addition, substances like beta-glucan and thymomodulin also help strengthen children's immunity. Mothers should consult their doctor about supplementing these substances for their child.

If parents are concerned about their child lacking essential micronutrients, they should take their child for a check-up and comprehensive micronutrient testing. Currently, Nutrihome uses a high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) micronutrient testing machine to help detect which nutrients children are deficient in or have in excess. Based on this, doctors can create appropriate meal plans and prescribe supplements to ensure optimal development for the child.

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.

Encourage U.S. businesses to expand investment in high-tech sectors.Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said that Vietnam welcomes US businesses to continue expanding their operations in Vietnam, especially in high-tech industries and sectors with high added value.

Vietnam and the United States strengthen cooperation in addressing the consequences of war.VTV.vn - On June 22, General Secretary and President To Lam received Acting Secretary of the US Navy Hung Cao.

Master's degree holder, Doctor Nguyen Anh Duy Tung
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System

Readers can ask questions about nutrition here for the doctor to answer.

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/tre-an-gi-tang-de-khang-mua-lanh-4706339.html