How to Support Your Child’s Gut Microbiome for a Healthy Life
A child’s gut health is just as important as an adult’s, if not, more!
You see, our gut microbiome is pretty stable by the time we’re three years old. Meaning, once we reach
this age, we keep most of these bugs all the way through life.
So, your child’s first years are crucial for gut health.
The role of breastfeeding in gut health
Breastfeeding and gut health: A perfect start
Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to introduce beneficial bacteria and prebiotics (food for good bacteria) into their bodies as quickly as possible.
But we know that breastfeeding can be extremely challenging, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Lots of baby formulas on the market these days are now designed to contain the same gut health benefits as breast milk.
Now, once they pass three, is it too late?
Is it too late to improve your child’s gut health after age 3?
Definitely not.
Looking after your child’s gut microbiome depends on how they eat and behave. It can always be improved and maintained, just like a garden!
With that being said, one of the most important things you can do to look after your gut is to eat as many different plants as possible.
Research shows that people with a healthier gut microbiome tend to eat at least 30 different plants per week.
Plants are the preferred food for good gut bacteria.
Different fruits and vegetables in different colours and varieties count! Like a green and red apple, or yellow and orange pepper.
If your child eat lots of different plants, then lots of different gut bacteria will thrive.
How gut health supports immunity and mental wellbeing
Gut health and the immune system: A stronger defense
A thriving gut microbiome will also strengthen their immune system, to help protect against chronic diseases, as well as boost their mental health thanks to the gut-brain axis!
So, getting children involved and understanding how important their gut microbes are is essential.
One of the best ways to do this? Getting in as many different plants in all the colours of the rainbow into their diet.
We know this sounds like a massive challenge… just getting them to eat anything remotely green is almost impossible.
Making gut health fun: Teaching kids about their belly bugs
If we teach them about why we put those plant foods into our bodies – to feed the “belly bugs”, then they might be more inclined to choose those foods.
This would then progress into long-term preferences and habits they can take with them throughout their life and into adulthood.
So, let’s equip them with the knowledge they need to achieve their best gut health in a fun and engaging way. We’ve spotted a great resource you might be interested in… a book called Belly Bugs.
You can find it here: Belly Bugs Shop
