ESPParents don’t have to create a special “gut health diet” for their children. Many of the foods that support good digestive health are probably already familiar — and getting kids accustomed to them early can help establish healthy eating habits for life. Here is what dietitians recommend:
• Make fiber a regular part of their diet.
Whole grains, beans, lentils, vegetables and fruits such as apples, pears and berries provide fiber that helps keep the digestive system moving and supports healthy gut bacteria.
• Add some good bacteria.
Foods containing live cultures, such as plain or lower-sugar yogurt, can be an easy way to include probiotics in your child’s diet.
• Don’t forget the water.
Fiber needs fluid to do its job. Encourage children to drink water throughout the day rather than relying primarily on sweetened drinks.
• Look to create lasting change in small increments. You don’t need to change everything at once. Try adding fruit to breakfast, beans to tacos, whole-grain bread to sandwiches or a vegetable your child already likes to dinner. Small choices can become lifelong habits.
