How to keep your kids healthy in the winter, naturally

It’s that time of year again, the time where every little germ on the face of the planet seems to crawl out of it’s dark hole and infect the entire population with it’s wrath.

Cold and flu season.

Trying to stay healthy during this part of the year can be a tedious task on it’s own, but add in a band of kids with you, then it’s even tougher.

But just because there are people sneezing and hacking everywhere you turn, doesn’t mean you can’t avoid all or most of these dreaded illnesses this winter.

And while it’s best to consult your health care provider with the best course of action for you and your kids, there are plenty of ways to help boost your immunity and keep you from the clutches of sickness this winter.

Read on to uncover a few simple things you can do to keep your kids healthy this winter, naturally!

Disclaimer: This Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

 

a healthy & balanced diet

Pop tarts for breakfast, lunchables for lunch, and hamburger helper for dinner might seem balanced in terms of variety and texture, but indulging in processed foods will only hinder your child’s immune system, especially in the winter.

Eating whole foods with lots of vitamins and minerals is your best best to stay on the healthy side this winter.

Make sure you add fresh fruits & vegetables, natural meats, and organic whole foods whenever possible. This will help to ensure that your child gets the best nutrition without the added fluff of processed and packaged foods.

Instead of pop tarts, reach for oatmeal instead. Substitute those lunchables with homemade ones that include whole grain crackers and meats that aren’t cured with nitrites – or skip the crackers entirely and make mini sandwiches out of cucumber slices. Trade in that hamburger helper for homemade chicken soup and you’ll be on your way to healthier kids in no time!

Want to take your health a step further? Try making your very own bone broths and nourishing recipes from this classic cookbook, Nourishing Traditions.

Your kids and their health are worth it!

 

Avoid sugar

With the never-ceasing string of holidays and get-togethers, cutting out sugar completely can be a hard task to undergo – especially if you don’t want to kill your child’s overall holiday experiences by completely eliminating the sweets.

But, sugar (especially in large quantities) has been known to prevent the body’s natural immune response and can lead to illness easier than if you don’t consume it at all.

Instead, try to find natural ways of curbing those sweet tooth cravings.

Fresh fruit is delicious and also has lots of vitamins and minerals to help boost your child’s immune system.

Try out dips to compliment fruit trays and natural sugar-free options like stevia and xylitol for special treats like cookies and muffins.

Not eating sugar doesn’t have to feel limiting, and you’ll be glad that you did once your kids remain healthy during the winter months!

Lots of rest

Rest, the most fundamental aspect of allowing your body to recover and thrive under every circumstance.

Not only will a healthy amount of sleep keep the germs at bay, getting enough rest will help your child in many factors such as mood, energy levels, overall health, and a better focused mind.

I can attest to this with my toddler – if he doesn’t get a nap, you better watch out!

This is where a solid bedtime routine comes into play.

If you don’t have a structured and reliable bedtime routine, it could be hindering your child from getting enough adequate sleep.

Consider putting a stop to late night TV and snacks and opt-in for earlier, calming-down techniques to get your child in tune for a good night’s sleep. Check out this post for more helpful tips to get your kids to bed more easily at night.

Related: How to get your kids to go to bed more easily at night

Not sure how much sleep your child needs? Check out this table to learn just how much rest your growing child needs according to age.

 

Vitamins FTW

Eating healthy, avoiding sugar, and enough rest are all well and good on their own, but our food in this day and age doesn’t have all the various nutrients we need to help our bodies be in the best shape possible.

This is why taking a supplement can be so beneficial: it helps to bridge the gap between good health and great health!

For my kids, I like to keep it simple with a probiotic for continued gut health, a multi-vitamin for those extra nutrients, and a greens supplement to ensure they are getting enough of their veggie and fruit nutrients throughout the day.

Depending on your child’s needs, you might decide on more or less for this one.

No matter what your needs are, I highly recommend a good quality multi-vitamin at best. My kids LOVE these gummies from Smarty Pants because they taste good, and I love them because of the premium quality and added omega 3 fish oil (which is great for brain development and function!)

 

Avoid germ nesting grounds

While I am not here to advocate paranoid behavior and rituals, as I think they can be mentally limiting, there comes a point in the winter months when this should be taken into consideration.

Sure, there may not be a lot to do in the winter when it’s cold outside, so you decide to hit the indoor playground or gym to help your kids burn off some energy.

What you might not realize is that half of the kids who are also there have either been sick in days recent or have picked up a virus that is contagious from the moment their body encountered it.

The thing is, you just don’t know!

It’s also good to note that get-togethers with family and friends could also be a risk factor, especially when a lot of kids are involved.

Did you know that you can shed norovirus for up to 12 days after your symptoms subside?

That means that if you don’t wash your hands properly, you could be spreading and infecting others with this common and extremely contagious virus and not even know it. So if you’ve been sick, just try to be extra cautious and mindful of others when it comes going out in public places.

When sickness is at it’s peak during the cold months and you want to avoid weeks of illness, it’s best to avoid these germ-infested places altogether.

So what are these places?

Indoor playgrounds, gyms, fitness centers, schools, hotels, grocery stores, and doctor’s offices (which is why I avoid these like the plague during outbreaks at all costs. I prefer to get my kid’s well visits during the summer when the germ count isn’t as high).

You don’t have to be a paranoid germaphobe to realize that exposing yourself to certain public places during the worst part of winter is just an invitation to get sick – so do so at your own risk.

Check out this article for the top 10 germiest places you might not have thought about.

 

Wash your hands often

Routine hand washing can go a long way in terms of avoiding illness and ensuring better health during the winter months.

A good soapy lather for 30 seconds with a warm rinse is really all you need in order to wash off any virus or bacteria germs that you may have picked up from public places.

If you’re out an about and you don’t have access to soap and water, then a good hand-sanitizer is better than nothing.

Just be aware, these don’t kill everything!

So don’t allow a hand-sanitizer to become your go-to when trying to avoid and eliminate germs. Most of these don’t kill all bacteria or viruses, so it’s good to note that you should always wash up when you can.

When we’ve been out and about it’s the first thing that we do when we get inside – straight to the bathroom for a good wash.

This is probably the most simple way you can avoid many illnesses and stay healthy during the winter, so don’t let it slip your mind!

You can do everything in your power to keep your kids healthy during the winter months, but let’s face it, they will eventually get sick in one way or another – and that’s a good thing!

Building a strong immune system consists of coming into contact with various germs and viruses, so even though it can be a undesirable event to partake, it’s truly a necessity of life if you want your children to be healthy into adulthood.

 

How do you keep your kids healthy during the winter? Please share your tips with us in the comments below!