5 Tips to Improve Your Child’s Gut Health
The digestive system, or gut, is a complex system that starts at the mouth by breaking down food and ends up being excreted. The gut’s main role is to regulate digestion, as well as sustain immunity to fight off any bugs. An unhappy gut in a child can lead to stomach aches and issues with absorption of vitamins and minerals. The trouble is, a child may find it difficult to explain if they aren’t feeling quite right. To help improve your child’s gut health, check out these tips.
- Reduce Processed Foods
Processed foods (meats, cheeses, frozen foods) can be harming your child’s gut health. These foods contain many harmful substances such as trans fats and preservatives that can interfere with the body. Because many of these substances are unnatural, our bodies aren’t sure what to do with them and end up interfering with the digestive system.
- Add More Fiber-Rich Foods
Fibre helps soften the stool and increase its size so it can pass through the digestive system easily. Ensure your child has an adequate intake of fiber by including plenty of whole, unprocessed fruit and vegetables, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds into their meals.
- Drink Before Meals
When you sit down for a meal, it’s likely that water or juice is on the table, too. This mixture of food and liquid can lead to slower digestion as the digestive juices are diluted by the liquid. It’s best to keep the fluids around mealtime to a minimum. Instead, encourage your child to drink their water before meals.
- Limit Heavy Foods
Certain foods, including meat and dairy, are harder to digest than others and use up more digestive energy. These should be moderated to help the digestive system recuperate. Try having more vegan meals while cutting back on the meat and dairy to ease up on the digestive system.
- Encourage Regular Exercise
As well as helping your child maintain a healthy weight, regular exercise supports digestion by stimulating the movement of food through the intestine.
Should your child need medical attention, contact Pediatric Surgical Associates. Our pediatric surgeons of Orange County are experts at protecting your kids’ health and wellness!