The Novel Corona Virus has been all-consuming, causing a lot of anxiety and stress all over the world. A lot of the focus has been placed on how to reduce the spread of the virus like washing your hands, not touching your face, avoiding crowds, social distancing, etc. Don’t get me wrong, these measures are super important and necessary!
However, the sad truth is that this virus is very contagious and people can be shedding this virus for 2 weeks before they even show symptoms. As a result, we are most likely going to see things get worse before they get better. Therefore, in addition to taking the precautions to minimize the spread, we also need to boost our immune system to make sure our bodies are as strong as possible to help potentially fight this virus.
I want to share my top 5 Busy Mom’s Cheat Sheet tried and true tips on how to boost your immune system so that you give your body the support it needs during these stressful times.
- Vitamins/Supplements: The vitamins listed below can work wonders in boosting our immune system because let’s be real our kids (and us!) are most likely not eating all of the vitamins/nutrients we need in our diets despite our best efforts:
Vitamin C: We grow up hearing that vitamin C mainly from orange juice is the cure-all for colds. Since most of the OJ sold in the supermarket is pasteurized, a lot of the nutrients get destroyed during the pasteurization process. Strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, and mango have more vitamin C than oranges and are great for smoothies. My kids also love our homemade lemonade and even make it themselves. Recipe: Squeeze a half lemon or lime into an 8-ounce glass of water and add a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey to sweeten it. Watch the Busy Moms Lemonade video to see how easy it is to get kids involved in making this alkaline friendly beverage with antibacterial and antiviral benefits. Busy Mom’s Cheat Sheet Tip: Serve this drink with a straw since lemon juice can erode tooth enamel. The vitamins I give my kids (see below) include the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C. In these times, I boost the amount with this stand-alone brand.
Vitamin D: This vitamin can fight infections and is an overall mood booster. Those with vitamin D deficiencies are more prone to infection. The best way to get vitamin D is through sun exposure. So even in the cooler winter months, it is important to get outside even for 10 minutes a day without sunblock to get a good natural dose. Since it is tough to get enough vitamin D through food, I make sure the vitamins I give my kids (see below) include vitamin D. Since I’ve been low on Vitamin D, I try to take 5000 IUD’s of vitamin D. This is the brand I take.
Probiotic: Health begins in the gut! Probiotics are good and helpful bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy which in turn boosts your immune system. This is especially needed if you need to take antibiotics which in addition to killing the bad bacteria kills the good gut bacteria as well. I use hyperbiotics Pro-Kids for my kids.
Zinc is vital for immune strength, balancing blood sugar and stable metabolic rate. Zinc that is chelated can help the absorption. Some foods high in zinc are chickpeas, yogurt, grass-fed beef/lamb and pumpkin seeds. To make sure we are getting the daily recommended dose, we’ve been taking this daily supplement.
I’ve used these vitamin brands for my kids:
Smarty Pants vitamins taste great and is an all-in-one product containing a multivitamin, omega 3 EPA & DHA, prebiotic, vitamin D3, and available on Amazon.
Yummy bears organics gummy vitamins contain 16 essential vitamins and minerals and are dairy-free, allergen-free, gluten-free and GMO-free and also available on Amazon.
Juice Plus is subscription-based and prides itself in providing a product that bridges the gap between what kids eat and what they should eat. If you are interested in finding more about their products, please email me at [email protected] requesting more information.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor do I claim to have any formal medical background. This is an opinion blog based on my personal experience. Please consult your child’s pediatrician and your physician before administering any vitamins or supplements.
2. Drink lots of water: Our bodies are comprised of over 60% water and our bodies need to be hydrated for all processes to be efficient. If our bodies aren’t functioning as optimal as possible, our immune system is compromised and we become more susceptible to getting sick. How much water should your kids be drinking? A good busy mom’s cheat sheet metric to help you gauge is to drink ½ oz. to 1 oz. per pound of body weight. For example, a 50 lb. child should drink 25-50 oz. water per day.
3. Avoid/reduce refined sugar: Did you know that refined sugar suppresses white blood cells and therefore our immune system for 2-5 hours after eating that food? Try to reduce/avoid sugary drinks, processed foods, and sugar-laden desserts. Instead, try to eat the colors of the rainbow in fruits and veggies as well as foods rich in caffeic acid which are known for their anti-inflammatory and antiviral capabilities. Good news for us busy tired moms that the most common source of caffeic acid is in coffee. According to Healthline, some other examples of foods containing caffeic acid are wine, turmeric, basil, thyme, oregano, sage, cabbage, apples, strawberries, cauliflower, radishes, mushrooms, kale, pears, and olive oil.
4. Chicken soup supercharged! This is not an old wives’ tale. Chicken soup is a proven healing liquid handed down to us over many generations. The key to its healing is to simmer the bones with vegetables and herbs over many hours to pull out all the amazing vitamins, minerals, proteins, and amino acids. This nutrient-dense broth lines the stomach and protects it from toxins. The healing effects of broth are not limited to chicken. Bone broth from Beef, Lamb or even fish can have similar healing properties. Check out my chicken soup recipe that is a staple in my home during the cold season.
5. Sleep and get enough of it! Our bodies need to recharge from the day and strengthen themselves for the day ahead. Getting the proper amount of sleep curbs inflammation, which is linked to conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. According to Parsley Health, those who sleep less than seven hours a night are almost three times more likely to develop the common cold than those that sleep more than eight hours. How many hours of sleep per night are your kids getting? Read more about how many hours of sleep our kids need according to The National Sleep Foundation and how to get your kids on a sleep schedule in my sleep blog.
Wishing us all health and happiness, be well!
Xo,
Lilly
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