A must-read for parents who live apart! Nutritionist: Eat like this before and after children get vaccinated to ease vaccination discomfort
A must-read for parents who live apart! “4 things” you must do before your child gets vaccinated
Is it safe to vaccinate children? Are there any concerns about severe side effects? Various problems plague parents during the severe epidemic. In fact, in addition to reducing going out, avoiding public places and socializing, washing hands frequently and maintaining social distance, parents should also pay attention to their children’s eating and living habits during the epidemic, which may be helpful in reducing their children’s discomfort after vaccination. Boosting immunity can help.
Nutritionist Cheng Hanyu pointed out in a social post that before administering the vaccine, parents should make the following preparations in advance to help children aged 5-11 increase their immunity and relieve parents’ anxiety:
Avoid fasting. You should not fast before vaccination to avoid causing physical discomfort to your child.
Drink more water. Insufficient water intake can lead to dehydration and even aggravate side effects such as dizziness and headaches. Therefore, it is recommended to replenish enough water and replace sugary drinks with plain water.
Eat a balanced diet. Developing a balanced diet can help maintain good immunity and help vaccines work properly. It is recommended to consume more protein- and zinc-rich foods such as seafood, fish, and chicken; vitamin A such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and salmon, and to supplement vitamin D through appropriate sun exposure.
Work and rest normally. No matter whether children are attending school at home or not, they need to maintain a normal schedule to help maintain good immunity.
What should children eat after being vaccinated? What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Cheng Hanyu Nutrition further stated that after vaccination, you should follow the following dietary strategies:
Maintain water replenishment. Helps children metabolize excess waste in the body and promotes good health.
Eat anti-inflammatory foods. Vegetables contain a variety of phytochemicals and fruits are rich in vitamin C, both of which can enhance the body’s antioxidant capacity. Nuts contain vitamin E and flavonoids, which also have antioxidant effects; fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help fight inflammation and reduce discomfort after vaccination.
Avoid 3 types of food. Avoid sugary drinks, heavy snacks, and high-fat meals (such as fried doughnuts, chips, or donuts). Children under 6 years old should not drink more than half a cup (about 120ml) of juice, and make sure to drink 100% original juice and avoid sugar-added or processed types. For snacks, choose relatively healthy foods such as seaweed and unflavored nuts.
In addition to adjusting eating habits and daily routine, nutritionist Cheng Hanyu also reminded parents that a review of vaccine safety data for children aged 5 to 11 found that side effects that often occur after receiving the Pfizer BNT vaccine are “mild and short-lived.” These side effects are more common after the second dose and include headache, pain in the injected arm, fatigue, etc. We call on all parents to pay more attention to and be aware of their children’s health conditions during the epidemic, prepare appropriate foods and develop a correct lifestyle to enhance their children’s immunity.
Further reading:
How to eat to improve immunity? Nutritionist: A “garlic dish” supplements 3 major nutrients
