How to Promote Your Child's Digestive Health?

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Every parent's dream to watch their kids grow into healthy adults regardless of their socio-economic status. When your child develops constipation, diarrhea, or any other stomach problems, it is customary to blame it on the diet you choose for them. What you feed your child now determines how they'll turn out in later stages of life. The following tips can help you decide which type of meal to provide your child aged between three and eleven years old:

1.  Form the habit of giving foods with beneficial bacteria

The digestive system contains bacteria known as the microbiome. It helps synthesize food to benefit metabolic activities. Unfortunately, most parents have no idea what types of food include beneficial bacteria. To promote your child's gut health, make it a habit to feed them with live and active bacteria from a fermented diet like plain yogurt and kefir. Alternatively, you can give non-dairy products such as sauerkraut or kimchi.

2.  Tone down on processed foods

As a parent, your child's eating habits might be so unhealthy that your only option is to feed them whatever they want. Most kids enjoy processed foods such as French fries, hamburgers, and other canned products because they are tastier. Over time, your child might develop digestive problems such as constipation, cramps, and diarrhea due to processed oils. While you may want to please your child's heart desires by giving in to their cravings, the health implications should convince you otherwise. If you have to buy it, do it in moderation.

3.  Adopt a furry friend

Most studies suggest that kids exposed to cats or dogs in early stages cope better as adults than their counterparts who didn't get that opportunity. Unless your kid is allergic to cat or dog fur, it would be best to get one to benefit from beneficial bacteria. Some dieticians also encourage parents to allow their kids to cuddle more with pets.

4.  Don't rush to medicate through antibiotic

Kids below the age of 10 develop a wide range of infections due to their immature immune systems. Consequently, pediatricians may prescribe antibiotics to treat these infections. However, too many antibiotics disrupt good strains of bacteria necessary for gut health. The more you administer these drugs, the higher your kid's chances of developing harmful bacteria. Over time, their immune systems mutate, leading to complicated health issues.

5.  Dirt is good

Companies selling disinfectants and sanitizing products encourage parents to embrace hygiene to reduce infections. However, you have no control over what your kids eat or play with while out there. Making your child stay indoors or denying your child the chance to play outdoors can be the worst form of punishment. Cleanliness is good, but too much of it prevents your child's gut health from developing immunity. A child who's exposed to bacteria develops strong immunity for future complications including asthma and eczema.

6.  Include probiotic supplements in your child's diet

Cow milk can cause constipation, diarrhea and other stomach complications. Your child could be tolerant to lactose, which means their stomach enzymes aren't strong enough to digest milk sugar. Since you wouldn't want to deny your growing champion essential nutrients, getting supplements with probiotic and gut health for kids properties can help. Please don't just buy any supplement without consulting your child's pediatricians. Some of those products could be containing ingredients that your child's metabolic system won't accept.

7.  Encourage high-fiber intake

Whole grains, fruits rich in vitamin C, and some vegetables are rich in high fiber. Your child needs foods with high fiber to promote their gut health. Encourage your young one to take fruits including apples, blueberries, strawberries, and avocados to avoid gut health diseases in the future. Vegetables including carrots, broccoli, spinach and kales are also rich sources of high-fiber.

Promoting your child's digestive health doesn't call for spending thousands of dollars. We have many affordable foods and natural products that can be obtained from the market to boost your child's gut health. Should your child develop digestive problems, talk with your pediatrician and dietician to recommend the best treatment plan instead of administering too many antibiotics that might affect your child's gut bacteria. Your child might not appreciate the dietary changes now, but they will be grateful knowing you were looking out for their future.

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