Healthy snack ideas to boost your immune system – Part 7

With very little research, you find there are several vitamins and minerals that help boost your immune system. With a quick revamp of your snack budget and a little bit of shopping, you can boost your immune system while on vacation and keep you and your family on the right track, healthy and strong while still having fun.

By going to AskDrSears.com I found that there are eight vitamins and minerals that help boost your immune system. They are vitamin C (1), vitamin E (2), and Beta Carotene (3), Bioflavonoid (4), Zinc (5), Garlic (6), Selenium (7), and Omega-3 fatty acids (8).

Now besides having your family line up every morning of your vacation for a multivitamin followed by a spoonful of sugar, then a spoonful of flaxseed oil for the Omega-3 fatty acid, and maybe a bite of lobster for the Selenium, I think I have much better ideas.

We as mothers can become quite creative when it comes to our children and getting them to eat something that is good for them’. However, when on vacation it is time to become extra creative. Vacation is the time for junk foods and the time to grab quick foods that are easy to run with. To help our family stay healthy we need grab-n-go’ foods that fit into the healthy immune system chart.

For Vitamin C (1), you have choices of most citrus fruits but as for grab-n-go’ types try strawberries, peeled oranges or even peeled grapefruits. According to AskDrSears.com Guava, has the most vitamin C, one medium guava has 165 milligrams of vitamin C, maybe cubed in a sandwich baggy would do?

Vitamin E (2) will be a little easier as long as your children do not have allergies to nuts. Almonds, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds are all good sources of vitamin E and great grab-n-go’ foods. Little finger sandwiches made ahead of time and you can use homemade peach jam that can give them the beta-carotene (3) they need. With the sunflower seeds, they will also be getting the Selenium (7) they would need.

Those little prepared carrots kids love to munch on are great sources of beta-carotene (3). Dried apricots are a great source and a pick up and go food too.

The last few on the list might be a bit harder to incorporate, but if your family likes beef jerky, or turkey jerky that would be perfect. It would have all of the vitamins you need to finish off the list, beef or turkey (4, 5), garlic (6), and the oils just be careful to purchase one made of healthy meats by a reputable dealer or make your own. You could also try the small travel size tuna snack packs; they also have the meat, oil, and vitamins that would finish off the list, with the bonus of crackers and pickle relish. The tuna would have the Omega-3 fatty acids (8) to finish off the list proper.

With a daily proper diet, plenty of rest, lots of water to drink, limits to sugar and these quick on the go snacks, your family should have a happy, healthy, wonderful vacation.