Vitamin C

I hate it when my girl gets a leaky nose and itchy throat. Crankiness, loss of appetite and sleep -- not a very pleasant scenario. That is why I like to get the vitamin C into her food in various ways. Here are some great non-citric sources:

Mango: If you child is less than a year old mangoes are a great source of vitamin C. Use it with oatmeal or even with a chapathi. Add some milk to mango pulp along with a hint of cardamom and you will watch the contents of the bowl disappear in no time.

Broccoli: No vegetable can beat its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties. To top it, it is a great source of vitamin C. Try and include it in your child's diet as early as possible. Once he or she develops a taste for it, you can pat yourself on your back for getting her to like this elixir of life.

Gooseberry (Nellikai, Amla): This berry is a another important source of vitamin C. Grate and sprinkle it in any kinds of food you offer your kid. Include it in chapathi, rice, dosa and idle batter.