Incorporating 'healthy' or immune-supporting foods into your child's diet is a challenging task, as any parent knows, but there are some very palatable choices that can make a real difference. First of all, fresh (non-frozen, non-canned) fruits, berries, vegetables (especially polysaccharide-rich mushrooms) and whole non-processed grains should be the cornerstone of all healthy diets. When protecting your child from illness, however, these foods are of paramount importance. Processed sugars in excessive amounts are immunosuppressive and have been found to stimulate viral activity, so cutting back on sugary foods (including juices) will help your child to generate an adequate immune response to pathogensAlso, adequate water intake is important for flushing the impurities that are filtered by the kidneys.

Because children can be such finicky eaters, getting a wide range of antioxidant, nutrient-rich foods in them can be difficult, so take the path of least resistance and focus on those healthy, fresh foods that they do like.

A good night's sleep is crucial to healthy immune function as well. The old adage 'early to bed, early to rise' is accurate when it comes to building healthy immunity; 10 hours of sleep between 8:30pm and 6:30am are of measurably greater benefit than 10 hours of sleep between 10:30pm and 8:30am. When your child has been under the weather or is at risk of getting sick, ensure that they get to bed on the earlier side.

Remember, when your child is sick, Kids' Defense is not the right formula to take; instead, target their primary symptoms with the appropriate My Herbalist for Kids formula (Stuffy Nose, Sore Throat or Cough Stopper.)