9 Tips to Maintain a Healthy Gut in Kids
When you’re a parent, it’s a given that you’ll always have tons of stuff to do, and it can be hard to give your full attention to everything. However, even the busiest Moms and Dads can notice anything even slightly amiss with their kids.
The gut consists of the digestive organs, which spread from the mouth to the rectum. Gut microbiota or gut microbiome are the microorganisms staying within the gut. These consist of quite a few good bacteria that can preserve a healthy gut ecosystem, and can ensure good health of nerves, support the immune system and aid in activities such as digestion.
When a gut is not healthy, it is apparent from all types of stomach issues – such as overall crankiness, fussy eating, indigestion, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. Naturally, it is essential to ensure the best gut health habits, exactly from the beginning.
Here are 9 tips that will help you to maintain a healthy gut in your child, and ensure that he / she is able to live life optimally.
1. Breastfeed
The gut of a newborn is sterile after birth. Thus, it is best that you begin with breastfeeding, so as to ensure the best health for him / her. You need to feed breast milk to your newborn exclusively for the first 6 months, and after that – for as long as you can. Breast milk can adapt easily to the needs and age of your baby, and will always be useful for the little one.
2. Add lots of fiber to daily diet
For good gut health, diet happens to be the topmost factor. It is essential to include sufficient insoluble and soluble fiber, to ensure that the eatables have sufficient mass to move properly through the system, and there is easier defecation as a result. Beans, lentils, oats and quinoa are some useful options to consider.
3. Reduce fatty food consumption
The beneficial gut bacteria can be affected by too much fat. Naturally, it is important to avoid candy, caffeinated beverages and all types of junk foods. Add in high fiber foods and healthy fats, for the best digestion.
4. Add in Lean Meat
Digestion and nutrient absorption can be better with the intake of protein that can be digested easily. It can ensure healthy and fresh gut health. For kids, chicken is among the best forms of lean meat products, as these can be digested easily.
5. Add in Probiotics
Basically, Probiotics are live bacteria – which can be useful for health. These are present in various fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt. In case you cannot find these eatables, Enterogermina and similar probiotic supplements can be the best alternatives to consider. Enterogermina happens to be the topmost probiotic that is recommended by pediatricians. It is the best choice for proper restoration of gut flora.
6. Ensure frequent and smaller meals
Choose frequent, small meals while you plan the diet of your child. Smaller meals can prompt children to eat more without feeling overwhelmed. Also, feeding meals more often can ensure that their metabolism and energy levels are always up, all through the day. Small and frequent meals, above all, can help refresh the gut and keep the digestive system functional simultaneously.
7. Ensure enough hydration
If there is dehydration, adding in more protein and fiber to diet can be counterproductive. Make sure that throughout the day, your child gets enough water and fluids. It is best to give water, although you may also feed watery foods such as cucumbers and melons, tender coconut water, fresh fruit juices or fruit-infused water.
8. Encourage exercising and regular activities
For overall well-being, regular exercise is vital. It is especially beneficial for stomach health. When your child is more active, his intestines are prompted to work faster. Even a slow digestive system has to work more quickly. Thus, the body is stimulated more for the expulsion of wastes. Some types of yoga postures can also help alleviate pain in the stomach.
9. Encourage going out outdoors
When you expose your child more to germs, it boosts his / her immunity and overall health. It is a major reason why children from older times did not require antibiotics as often as modern kids. Basic hygiene is important, but too much sanitizing is bad as well. Encourage your child to go out and play, roll in the mud, and run around with pets. It can be a great way to build immunity and gut health naturally, which cannot be ensured with any medication.