Eating right is the key to a strong immunity system. But no dish can be healthy if it was not prepared properly. Listeria, salmonella and e.coli are harmful bacteria that may be waiting on your unwashed, uncooked, or spoiled food. Should your child eat bacteria-contaminated food, he may suffer from food sickness or food poisoning. You wouldn't want your little one to experience weakness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains or diarrhea, would you? Not only will food sickness cause him to miss school and play, it may also lead to dehydration which could be deadly.

So to ensure that you're strengthening his defense against sickness, give your child only fresh, clean, and well-prepared food. Here's how:

• In the wet market or grocery, choose only the freshest produce. Steer clear of bruised, moldy, overripe, discolored, or smelly produce.
• Instead of throwing meat, veggies or fruits together in one shopping bag, separate each item. This will help avoid cross contamination between different produce.
• Upon getting home, refrigerate produce immediately to avoid spoiling. Freeze seafood, pork, and beef in separate plastic bags to avoid contamination.
• Wash your hands properly before you start preparing meals. Also, check if cutting boards, knives and other utensils are clean before you use them. Clean up everything when you're done!
• Make sure that you have a different chopping board and knife for fruits and vegetables; especially for those eaten raw. And another set of knife and board for meat. This helps prevent contamination of vegetables and especially fruits which are eaten uncooked.
• Veggies and fruits must always be washed properly. You may not know it but they may contain dangerous herbicides or pesticides. Gently rub the outer layer of fruits and veggies under running water. You may also use a vegetable brush to clean apples or potatoes. Never use soap as this can leave a harmful residue.
• Sliced fruits, like watermelons, are perishable and must be eaten within an hour or two. After that, you'd have to throw them away.
• When going out of town, or having a cookout, make sure you use a cooler to preserve fresh produce. Other cold foods, like pasta or potato salads, must also be kept cold until eating time.
• Always use a serving spoon for each dish!

It's your job as a mother to prevent your child from getting sick, especially while he's young and his immunity foundation is not yet solid. So show him your love by making sure you give him only nutritious and well-prepared food.