Broccoli is packed with immune boosting nutrients and should feature regularly in your child’s diet. Weight for weight, broccoli contains more vitamin C than oranges. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect against colds and other viral infections. It is also a free radical scavenger recognized for its ability to prevent the development of certain forms of cancer, as well as inhibiting he progress of HIV. Vitamin C is also required for the production of collagen, an important component of connective tissue. Your child’s body is unable to create vitamin C for itself and has to obtain it through food. Broccoli also contains the antioxidant beta-carotene, which plays an important role in disease prevention. It is also a good source of iron, which supports the production of white blood cells and antibodies, part of your child’s immune army. Without enough iron your child is more than likely to suffer from frequent colds and other viral infections. Iron is a mineral that is often lacking in the toddler and pubescent diet casuing the deficiency anaemia. Symptoms of anaemia are fatigue, pale skin, loss of appetite, nausea and sensitivity to cold.