How Does Gut Health Impact Your Child?
Parents and children are familiar with phrases like “Eat your vegetables!” and “Drink your milk!” But how often do we stop to think about why good nutrition matters and how the foods we eat can support digestive health?
What Is Gut Health?
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is part of the digestive system, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and other organs that help the body digest food and absorb nutrients.
When people talk about “gut health,” they’re often referring to how well the digestive system functions, as well as the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, known as the gut microbiome.
Two dietary components that can play an important role in digestive health are fiber and prebiotics.
Fiber
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant foods that the body does not fully digest. Dietary fiber is commonly discussed in two categories: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like material during digestion. Sources include foods such as oats, barley, apples, carrots, berries, and pears.
Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and helps food move through the digestive system. Sources include whole grains and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans.
Fiber is an important part of a balanced diet for children. It can help support regular bowel movements by adding bulk to stool and, depending on the type of fiber, helping stool retain water and pass more easily.
Many children do not consume recommended amounts of fiber. Fiber needs vary by age, sex, and calorie intake, so parents should talk with their child’s healthcare provider about their individual nutritional needs.
Fiber-rich foods include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Beans and legumes
- Nuts and seeds, when age-appropriate
Building these foods into a child’s diet is a great place to start. For families with selective eaters or children with specific nutritional needs, consistently getting enough fiber can sometimes be challenging.
Prebiotics, Probiotics, and the Gut Microbiome
Our digestive system is home to a large and diverse community of microorganisms. Collectively, this community is called the gut microbiome.
You may have heard both prebiotics and probiotics discussed in relation to gut health, but they aren’t the same thing.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in appropriate amounts, may provide health benefits. Different probiotic strains can have different effects, so the benefits associated with one strain should not automatically be assumed for another.
Prebiotics are compounds that are selectively used by microorganisms in the body and provide a health benefit. In simple terms, rather than adding live microorganisms, prebiotics provide a food source that can help support beneficial bacteria already present in the digestive system.
Why Does HyFiber for Kids Contain a Prebiotic?
HyFiber for Kids contains fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a type of prebiotic fiber.
Rather than introducing live bacterial strains like a probiotic does, FOS is a prebiotic fiber that can be utilized by beneficial bacteria in the gut.
HyFiber for Kids combines fiber and FOS in a low-volume, citrus-flavored liquid designed to make adding fiber to a child’s nutrition routine simple. It can be consumed as directed or incorporated into compatible foods and beverages according to the product’s instructions.
For parents, the goal does not have to be making nutrition complicated. Small, consistent choices, including offering fiber-rich foods and supporting a balanced diet, can help establish healthy nutrition habits.
If you are concerned about your child’s bowel habits, digestive health, or nutritional intake, talk with your child’s pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional.
Sources
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Constipation in Children.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation-children/eating-diet-nutrition -
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Probiotics: Usefulness and Safety.
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-usefulness-and-safety -
Carlson JL, Erickson JM, Lloyd BB, Slavin JL. Health Effects and Sources of Prebiotic Dietary Fiber. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2018;2(3).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30019028/ -
Gibson GR, Hutkins R, Sanders ME, et al. Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2017;14:491–502.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28611480/