Boost Your Children's Immune System This Winter

The best ways to boost your children’s immune system this Winter

It’s more important now than ever before that the immune systems of both you and your children are as strong as they can be. With kids back at school, and many teenagers off to college or University for the first time, a strong immune system can help to fight off all manner of respiratory infections including coughs and colds. We won’t mention the other C-bomb, but you know what we’re talking about!

Recent research undertaken by Oxford University suggests that honey is a better treatment for coughs and colds than antibiotics, so it’s not just a case of taking our word for it – the science points to regular helpings of honey as being effective at reducing both the severity and frequency of coughs. Our immune system is designed to fight off bacteria and viruses, however when weakened we become more vulnerable to colds and flu. Eating the right food can play a key part in helping your children (and you) to stay healthy at this vital time for the nation’s health.

Here then are our top tips for things to eat to help you keep your kids healthy this Winter, including which Local Honey Man honeys to try with each where relevant!

Nuts & Fish (Omega-3)

Both nuts and fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, a substance which small studies have shown can help fight infections. Fish such as salmon, tuna and to a lesser extent cod and haddock contain Omega-3. Try and get them into kids’ diets twice a week – grilled salmon tacos are a good shout for younger kids that aren’t too keen. If they really aren’t into fish, or if you’re veggie or vegan, opt instead for nuts. A handful of almonds or walnuts in their lunch box will do the trick.

Honey serving suggestion: Try glazing a fillet of salmon with our turmeric infused honey and baking in the oven for an infection boosting treat! Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it will help settle your throat if you’ve been coughing already.

Fruit

Ensure your kids get a good mix of fresh fruit every day. Vitamin C is a popular immune booster, so put an orange in their lunchbox. If you’ve got a spare five minutes in the morning, add some frozen berries, peeled orange segments, a squeeze of golden honey, a banana, nugget of fresh ginger, teaspoon of peanut butter, and chopped apple to a blender along with a good splash of dairy or non-dairy milk. Whizz until smooth and serve. It’s a delicious, vitamin-packed way of getting fruit into your kids’ diet and they’ll be coming back for more every morning.

Sleep

Not something you can eat, but an invaluable way to keep their immune systems in tip top condition. A good night’s sleep helps keep infection fighting cells in plentiful supply, whereas a lack of sleep does the opposite. It may surprise you to learn that newborns need up to 18 hours of sleep per day, toddlers around 13 hours and 3-12 year olds 12 hours.

Honey

A spoonful (or two, or three) a day really can help keep the doctor away. Pure, unpasteurised honey such as ours is one of the most effective ways to both build up the immune system and treat coughs and colds. Whilst it shouldn’t be given to children under one, for all other humans it is a safe, healthy and cheap way of strengthening immune systems and reducing the effect of ailments including coughs and colds. It has never been more vital. And what’s more, you save the bees when you buy it too!

Click the image below to pick yours up today, with 20% off in our Back to School special until 11.59pm on 30th September!