Child’s gut is responsible for their overall health and is connected to their immune system, mood, mental health and body functioning. Most of the diseases emerge in the gut, which is a component of a child’s digestive system. Digestive track plays a vital role in our body, as it is responsible for absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste. Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which is further used by the body for energy, growth and cell repair. A kid’s gut health says a lot about their internal health. If you want to set your child up for a lifetime of good health, it is essential to flourish their gut with best probiotics for kids. Digestive disorders can affect your child’s growth and development. By recognising symptoms early, you can help your child lead a healthy life.
Symptoms of Digestive Disorders in kids:
Stomach pain: Stomach pain is common in children. It can be caused by a variety of reasons such as eating too much, needing to go to the washroom or stress about an upcoming event. However, if your child complains of stomach pain frequently, it can be a matter of concern. The most common causes of stomach pain in children include indigestion, infection, appendicitis (causes acute or sudden pain) (How to correctly identify stomach pain?)
Vomiting: There can be different reasons why a kid throws up. Some of them are viral infections, motion sickness, food poisoning, fever, or coughing. They can also vomit because of concerns such as meningitis, appendicitis and intestinal blockages. If your child vomited more than once and there is blood or bile (green or yellow coloured liquid) in vomit, call your doctor. (Some easy home remedies to fix coughing)
Diarrhea: Diarrhea could be a result of the body’s inability to absorb foods. It may last 1 or 2 days and go away on its own. However, if it lasts for more than 2 days, it’s a matter of worry. Diarrhea may be caused by a bacterial infection, viral infection, parasites that enter through food or water, and reaction to medicines. Probiotics for kids help in diarrhea.
Problem with appetite: Digestive issues may lead to children losing their appetite. A loss of appetite is often temporary and the appetite will come back once the child has recovered.
Bloating in the belly: Gas is the most common cause of bloating. When kids eat or drink too fast or chew gum, they might swallow extra air that causes gas. It can trigger stomach pain. Bloating could also be a sign of several GI (gastrointestinal) disorders, like food intolerance or any celiac disease (an immune reaction to eating gluten). GI diseases mainly occur in the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum.
Eating processed and packaged food is a common phenomenon nowadays. Children who consume a lot of refined and processed foods in their regular lifestyle, have a higher chance of developing obesity. Such foods are high in sodium and added sugar and lack fiber resulting in poor digestion among children. Fiber is essential to bind with bile and support daily digestion. Lack of fiber and probiotics for kids directly hampers the digestive system of kids. This often results in abdominal cramps, bloating, irritable mood, reduced immunity and weight gain. It can also have serious consequences on the intestine health in the long run. You can easily prevent digestive disorders in your child by making little changes in their diet. (How does sugar impact the body?)
Preventive measures to improve digestion in kids:
- Introducing small meals
- Chewing food slowly and carefully
- Fibre rich seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Intake of plenty of water to cleanse child’s digestive system
- Enough sleep helps to rejuvenate the child’s digestive system
- Reduced processed foods
- Probiotics for kids
- Include digestive powder
Best food for Digestion problems:
Yogurt: Yogurt contains the best probiotics for kids. It naturally contains lots of probiotics that strengthen the digestive tract. Probiotics are often called good bacteria which help to improve gut health. It helps to regulate the child’s digestive system and decrease bloating, diarrhea, constipation. Some research suggests that it can boost the immune system by enhancing absorption of vitamins and minerals. Having more good bacterias in the system can conquer the number of bad bacterias, thereby maintaining good health. (Some easy probiotics for kids)
Saunf (Fennel) seeds: Fennel seed is an effective aid to digestion. It relaxes muscles in the intestine, which can help relieve constipation. The main component that gives fennel seeds these beneficial effects is Anethole. It can help to smooth and relax muscles of the gastrointestinal system, thereby reducing gas, bloating and stomach cramps. Fennel seed powder is the best digestion powder for kids (Other seeds that can help with Protein)
Papaya: Papaya contains an enzyme papain that aids digestion. It is also high in fiber and water content. This quality helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity and healthy digestive system in kids. (Fruits that are great for kids and teens)
Banana: Banana is considered one of the best probiotics for kids, that helps with digestion. The whole plant is beneficial for the body since it has both probiotic (bacteria) and prebiotic (food for bacteria) fibers. The fruit is gentle enough to be eaten if you are suffering from stomach issues, like vomiting, loose motion and it restores lost electrolytes back into the body. (How to use banana stems in food?)
Moong Dal (Mung bean): It is best to consume this bean everyday since it’s loaded with necessary prebiotic fiber. This fiber reaches the gut without getting digested and becomes the food of the bacteria living there. Once the bean sprouts, it has the essential probiotics for kids also which further enhance the health of the gut. The fatty acid present in the bean known as butyrate, is also beneficial for intestinal walls. These have anti-inflammatory properties that help in preventing accumulation of gas. (How to prepare mung bean meals?). These beans can also be dried up to make a digestion powder for kids. Many other veggies can be dried and mixed to this digestive powder for additional benefits.
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