by Lorene Troyer

Created on: October 17, 2009

You can help keep your child healthy by establishing good habits in your daily routine. Focus on eliminating potential dangers and building up the immune system.

Make sure your child gets enough sleep- anywhere from 10-12 hours a night. If possible, get them to bed early enough so they will be able to wake up on their own. This will ensure that they get the sleep their body requires and will help bolster the immune system.

Eliminate or minimize the use of refined sugar (corn syrup, table sugar etc.) in your child's diet. Refined sugar can suppress the immune system and reduce resistance against infectious disease. Healthy snacks might include fresh fruits, vegetables and dip, popcorn, or whole-wheat pretzels. Offer sugary treats sparingly.

See to it that your child gets regular exercise such as walking, playing outside, or bike riding. Even moderate exercise can strengthen the immune system.

Feed your child 100% whole wheat bread instead of white bread. This is more nutritious and is a good source of fiber. Not all whole-wheat bread tastes the same. Experiment and find out which brand your child likes best.

Use eggs from free-range hens (if eggs are part of your child's diet). These are shown to be more nutritious than regular store-bought eggs. You may be able to buy them from a local farmer or if they're not available, purchase eggs marked DHA or high omega.

Avoid heating your child's food in the microwave. According to Anthony Wayne and Lawrence Newell, nuking food turns it into an unnatural substance, which offers very little nutritional value to the body and can cause cancer and many other problems.

Teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially during the winter. This alone can greatly decrease the risk of getting sick.

Avoid giving your child any foods or drinks that contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose or acesulfame These sugar substitutes are unnatural toxins that the body either has to get rid of or store and can cause dangerous side effects. A healthier alternative is the herb stevia, which is a natural sweetener.

Avoid or cut down on the use of soft drinks. Soda can lead to obesity and tooth decay. Instead, keep fresh water readily accessible and offer fresh fruit juices (in moderation).

Let your child play in the dirt. According to Immunologist Mary Ruebush, getting dirty is an important part of building your child's immune system and will help prevent allergies and other diseases.

Protect your child from cell phone radiation. According to Child Genius Magazine, children can absorb up to twice the amount of radiation as an adult. You can lessen their exposure by minimizing their use of the cell phone or teaching them to keep it away from their body by using the speakerphone or using an air tube headset.

Today start establishing habits that can help your child stay healthy by building up the immune system and getting rid of those things that are potentially harmful.

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