Kitchen Prescription: Be Well Immunity Gummies: A Delicious Way to Support Your Family's Health
- Nicola Swanson
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that I'm passionate about helping women optimise their health—but one of my greatest joys is working with children too. As a very proud godmother to three gorgeous little ones, I know how rewarding (and sometimes challenging!) it can be to encourage children to enjoy foods that support their wellbeing.
These Be Well Immunity Gummies, inspired by a wonderful recipe from Chelsea Winter, are a fun, colourful and delicious way to include nourishing ingredients during the colder months. They're simple to prepare, freezer-friendly and perfect for lunchboxes or as an after-school snack.
While no single food can prevent illness, regularly including a variety of colourful fruits, herbs and spices can help provide many of the nutrients and plant compounds that support a healthy immune system.
Why These Ingredients Are So Good For You
🌿 Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is one of my favourite culinary herbs because it offers far more than wonderful flavour.
Traditionally, thyme has been used to support respiratory health and soothe coughs. It contains the naturally occurring volatile oils thymol and carvacrol, which have demonstrated antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies. Thyme is also rich in antioxidant compounds that help protect our cells from oxidative stress.
Adding fresh thyme to these gummies is a simple way to introduce children to the benefits of culinary herbs.
🫚 Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger has been valued for thousands of years in traditional herbal medicine.
It is naturally warming and is traditionally used to:
support healthy digestion
assist circulation
soothe nausea
support healthy inflammatory responses
provide comforting support during winter illnesses.
Its fresh, slightly spicy flavour pairs beautifully with citrus.
🍊 Citrus Fruits
Oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits provide far more than just vitamin C.
They're also rich in bioflavonoids—natural plant compounds that work alongside vitamin C and contribute antioxidant activity.
Together they help support:
normal immune function
collagen production
healthy skin
blood vessel integrity.
Using whole fruit also contributes valuable fibre and naturally occurring phytonutrients.
🍓 Berries
Berries are among the richest dietary sources of colourful plant pigments called anthocyanins.
These natural compounds act as antioxidants and help create the vibrant colours children love.
Using frozen berries also makes these gummies affordable throughout winter.
🍯 Honey (if included)
Honey has traditionally been used to soothe irritated throats and provide comfort during coughs.
Raw honey also contains naturally occurring enzymes, antioxidants and plant compounds.
Please remember: honey should never be given to babies under 12 months of age.
🦴 Gelatine
Gelatine provides amino acids including glycine and proline that contribute to connective tissue health.
It also gives the gummies their lovely texture without needing artificial gelling agents.
Why I Love This Recipe
One of the reasons I recommend this recipe is because it focuses on whole foods rather than highly processed snacks.
Children often enjoy helping prepare the gummies, making them much more likely to eat them.
Cooking together also creates positive experiences around healthy food that can last a lifetime.
A Few Simple Tips
✔ Let children choose their favourite silicone moulds.
✔ Freeze in small portions so they're easy to grab on busy mornings.
✔ Experiment with different seasonal berries.
✔ Fresh herbs can be swapped depending on the season.
✔ Store frozen for the best texture.
Food as Medicine Starts in the Kitchen
One of my favourite sayings is that small daily habits have the greatest impact on our long-term health.
Simple recipes like these help introduce children to colourful fruits, herbs and whole foods in a fun and enjoyable way.
Rather than focusing on individual nutrients, I encourage families to think about eating a wide variety of plant foods. Every fruit, herb and spice contains its own unique combination of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that work together to support health.
After all, good nutrition doesn't need to be complicated—it can be as simple as making something delicious together in the kitchen.
Try the Recipe
I'd love you to give these gummies a go!
The original recipe, along with the full ingredient list and method, can be found here:
If you make them, I'd love to hear how your family enjoys them. Feel free to share your creations and let me know any favourite flavour combinations you've discovered!
Comments