Vegan Mom: Preparing for Cold Season with Kids

It's that time of year...cold and flu season. When you have a preschooler, it takes on a whole new meaning. Last year was my daughter's first year in school. Before she started, she was rarely ever sick. We kept her at home. Then she started preschool, and it hit us like a freight train. Her doctor said, "It's not uncommon for a preschooler to be sick six or more times during the school year." She was not kidding! It seemed like there was a cold every two or three weeks, but it did get better. School has been going on for about two months now, and there have already been a few colds and stomach bugs making their way around the classroom. Fortunately, we have not had to deal with the onslaught like we did last year, but we have had a couple of bouts. In fact, we are going through one right now. There are several things that I learned during the process.

​Fresh fruit naturally boosts the immune system.

Fruit is loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and water. Consistently eating fresh fruit fortifies the immune system without the harmful side-effects of traditional cold medicines that often times contain artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, and GMOs. These are things I don't want to ingest, and I definitely do not want that for my child. The side effects are very troubling. Let's take a look at children's acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Inactive ingredients: anhydrous citric acid, butylparaben, D&C red #33, FD&C blue #1, flavor, glycerin, high fructose corn syrup, microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol solution, xanthan gum.

Studies have shown that blue #1 aggravates asthma, red #40 can lead to hyperactivity and lower IQ, and sleep disturbances; high fructose corn syrup, which is genetically modified and can potentially lead to a whole host of complications. Sodium benzoate, can cause nausea and vomiting.

Doctors also love to prescribe antibiotics. There are numerous studies and reports about the dangers of antibiotics, and the Centers for Disease Control recently released a study saying "1 out of 3 antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary."

Dr. Joel Fuhrman recommends fresh fruits and vegetables to naturally boost your child's immune system. 

Check out my plant powered plate below. Read about the health benefits of the ingredients in this blog post.

According to Healthy Habits Pediatrics, "During infancy and the preschool years, the average child gets seven or eight colds each year. During the school-age years they average five or six colds each year. Finally as teenagers they reach an adult level of approximately four colds per year."

Thankfully, numerous studies show that a plant based diet is the way to go!

​This is one of my typical meal prep meals!

"There are at least 200 cold viruses! As children have not had previous exposure to these germs, they are quite susceptible to catching each and every one they come in contact with.  These germs are mainly spread hand to mouth." -Healthy Habits Pediatrics

What ways do you combat cold and flu season? What works for you? I would love to hear your feedback and see your food photos!