Parents have a very important responsibility that you must not ignore when it comes to your child’s digestive health. A healthy digestive system does not only assist children absorb nutrients at an optimal level, but impacts their mood as well as their sleep quality and overall health. Next, let’s look at the key nutrients that Madame Lavigne claims are important for a happy tummy to provide your child with a good digestive health, Moms!
Why it is important to keep your digestive system healthy?
Digestion is the basis of child’s growth and development. When your digestive system is working properly, your body can extract all the vitamin, mineral and nutrient goodness from your food. So why should you give special care to your child’s digestive health?
A Happy Gut Is a Humming Immune System
Approximately 70% of the immune system is in the digestive tract! The intestines are responsible for digesting food, providing energy and nutrients as well as acting as the first line of defense against infections and harmful bacteria. If the digestive health is compromised, a child’s immune system may become weaker, and they become prone to illness.
The Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis, or the link between the digestive system and the brain, shows that a healthy gut can improve a child’s mood. Digestive problems like constipation or bloating can render children cranky, unfocused, and uncomfortable all day.
Good Digestion Supports Optimal Growth
Children who are having stomach issues may have difficulty in absorbing important nutrients such as calcium, iron or vitamin D —elements of nutrition that help ensure proper growth of bones, brain and maintain daily energy levels.
Important Nutrients for a Healthy Digestive System
Making the right dietary choices can help to fortify your child’s digestive health. To help them digest all of that, here are a few key nutrients:
Fiber
Fiber is the best friend of the digestive system. It aids in digestion and prevents constipation. Fibers also feed healthy gut bacteria, helping to keep the microbiome balanced.
Fruits (apples, bananas, pears) Vegetables (carrots, broccoli, spinach) Whole Grains (oats, whole wheat, quinoa) If your child is not accustomed to eating fiber-rich foods, serve small portions and increase them slowly over time to allow the body to adjust.
Probiotics
Probiotics are a kind of beneficial bacterium that promote digestive health by regulating gut flora. In other words, they combat bad bacteria and enhance the immune system.
Good probiotic food sources in children are unsweetened yogurt, kefir, tempeh and kimchi (make sure it’s not too spicy for kids!) Pick probiotic products according to your kid’s age and talk to a doctor if you have doubts, Moms.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics serve as nutrients for probiotics, and assist healthy gut bacteria to flourish. A synergistic effect can direction the intestinal microflora to a natural and appropriate environment for balance and a healthy intestinal system.
Children: The best prebiotic sources for kids are bananas, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, and whole grains (whole wheat bread).
Sufficient Hydration
Hydrating properly is essential for a healthy digestive tract. Not drinking enough fluids can cause constipation and other digestive woes. The recommended water intake based on age group for kids As an alternative, serve natural fruit juices with no added sugar, or throw fresh fruit slices into the water for a naturally appealing flavor.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats help disperse and absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and maintain gut health by coating intestinal lining.
Healthy sources of fat for kids include avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, nuts and seeds.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are crucial nutrients that your body cannot synthesize or produce, so they must be consumed in food.
Vitamins such as vitamin D and minerals such as magnesium and zinc are essential for digestive enzyme function and overall digestive health.
Some good sources of these all-important vitamins and minerals are fortified milk, eggs, peas and green leafy vegetables such as spinach.
