Let’s face it, the holidays aren’t an easy
time on anyone’s tummy – kids included! Around every corner there’s a plate of
cookies, a cup of hot chocolate, or a bag of brightly colored candy. If your
child typically eats a balanced diet that’s low in processed sugar and
preservatives, the holidays can quickly cause imbalance and discomfort.
This year, why not be proactive about your
child’s digestive health? A little planning and knowledge can make all the
difference. Keep reading to learn more about how you can put natural digestive
support to work for your family this winter.
Understanding Your Child’s Digestive
System
Your child, like all humans, has an amazingly complex digestive system, which
depends on the health of a balanced gut, or microbiome. A big change in food
intake (think sugary, starchy, holiday treats) can throw things way off balance
and cause achy, crampy stomach upset. Not only can this lead to discomfort, but
an imbalanced gut can weaken the immune system as well, leading to an increase
in seasonal colds and viruses, as well as dry skin and rashes.
How to Support Healthy Digestion
A balanced, nourishing diet that bears in mind
your child’s unique needs is a key part of healthy digestion. There are many reasons why you or your child
might feel a nagging upset stomach after eating, such as gas, indigestion, or
food intolerance. Your first step needs to be understanding how your child
works and taking notice of what tends to cause stomach upset. When you can
identify patterns in eating, you have a key piece needed to unlock you or your
child’s best health through the holidays and beyond.
Understanding Products Designed for
Natural Digestive Support
Digestive
Enzymes
Digestive enzymes are complex proteins
necessary for digestion, which are the catalyst that cause chemical changes
needed to help the body digest and use the nutrients in food. Digestive enzymes
can be divided into three categories: lipases, which work to digest fat,
proteolytic enzymes, which work to break up protein, and amylases, which are
necessary for digesting carbohydrates.
Digestive enzymes are available in supplement
form and can help with natural digestive support. Enzyme supplements can assist
your body in proper nutrient absorption, as well as ease the bloating and gas
associated with an upset stomach.
If you’re looking to support your child’s
health through digestive enzymes, try Chewable Kid’s Digest from Ezymedica, ChewZymes from NOW Foods, or Similase Jr by Integrative Therapeutics.
Probiotics
Probiotic supplements
work to support your child’s healthy gut flora, by boosting and replacing the
good bacteria in your body, and keeping things balanced. Probiotics can be
categorized into two main groups: Lactobacillus
(the most common probiotic) and Bifidobacterium,
which can be found in dairy products.
When shopping for a probiotic, quality matters and not
all products are created equal. Look for a well-researched and proven product,
and talk to your doctor about which strain and dosage is the best fit for your
child’s needs.
If you’re looking for a quality probiotic to
boost your child’s health, check out Ultimate Flora Kids from Renew Life, or Berry Dophilus for Kids from NOW
Foods.
What do you use for natural digestive support?
Share your tips and experiences with us in the comments section below.
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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
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