How to Improve health of 16 yo DS after illness

[Pinkshoes71]

My DS has had a really bad run of poor health since September starting with Glandular Fever. Since then he has picked up every cold and virus going and is currently full of mouth ulcers and cold sores. He is obviously really run down and is fed up of feeling poorly. I know that his diet and sleep are big factors but does anyone have any recommendations for giving his health a boost? Thank you

Does he take a multivitamin with vitamin D in it? Everyone in the UK should be taking vitamin D.

What is his diet and sleep like?

Multivitamin or floradix.
Probiotics.
Those immune shots with ginger and turmeric
Go to a good health food shop ask for advice or see a nutritionist

Thanks all. His diet isn’t great. As a family we eat well, varied and always cooked from scratch but he doesn’t like any veg other than peas and sweetcorn. Also doesn’t like fruit. I get as much veg in him as I can ie in chilli, curry, spag bol but left to his own devices he would live off beige food and that’s difficult to control when he’s out with his mates or at college. He takes Vit D, need to find a good multi vit that he will take - he’s not great with tablets. He has some multi vit gummies but I don’t think they are great really. Am currently making chicken broth as he like it and it’s full of goodness.

what is his sleep and exercise like?

@Localfriend Little exercise although has quite a manual job. His sleep varies, goes to bed at a reasonable time but am sure he is awake messaging friends / girlfriend. I talk to him - explain the implications of lifestyle but I think he just thinks I’m out to spoil his fun. He does seem to be realising that there is logic to what I’m saying because he has had such a bad run of it and wants to feel better.

The basics needs to be addressed. No point tinkering around the edges if sleep, diet and exercise is crap.

How many hours does he work a week?

ask for him to leave his phone in kitchen from, say 11pm on wards.

my son is shortly to turn 16, and he does that. 10pm because I’m horrible! But he accepts it now because has see the improvement in sleep

@Localfriend Thank you. He works a standard week as an apprentice electrician with one day at college. I agree the phone is a big thing.

if he’s feeling poorly a lot of the time, but doesn’t want to improve diet, exercise and sleep with some easy adaptations - then at 16, frustratingly not much you can do

he can’t feel that bad if he’s not willing to make some simple changes