Gut Health for Kids

Key Takeaways: Gut Health for Kids

– A child’s gut microbiome develops most rapidly in the first four years of life – Good gut health supports digestion, immunity, sleep, mood and energy levels

– Signs of poor gut health in kids often include digestive discomfort and lowered immunity – Fibre, hydration, prebiotics and wholefood nutrition play a key role in supporting a healthy gut

– Small, consistent food and lifestyle habits can help nurture long-term gut health for kids

Let’s get gutsy for a hot second and talk about gut loving for kiddos. So why is gut health for kids important? A child's gut health and microbiome are formed in the first four years, after which time it can be impacted by nutrition, diet and other lifestyle factors.

A child’s gut microbiome develops rapidly in early life, making gut health for kids especially important during these formative years.

A healthy gut for kids contributes to some super important areas like immunity, mood, digestion, sleep, brain health, heart health and skin health. Maintaining gut wellbeing is an important part of kids' nutrition and has a positive roll-on effect on these important areas of whole body wellbeing.

Gut health plays a foundational role in children’s overall wellbeing, influencing both physical and cognitive development.

With kids' gut health being so integral to kids' wellbeing, it deserves some time in the spotlight to understand how to better support your kid's gut health.

Not sure where to start? No problems, we’ve gut you with this handy guide on supporting kids gut health.

In this guide, we’ll break down why gut health matters for kids, what good and poor gut health can look like, and practical, food-first ways to support healthy digestion.

Why is Good Gut Health Important for Kids?

Good gut health is vital for a kid's overall health and wellbeing. With the above mentioned areas of immunity, sleep, brain health, heart health and skin health being the main contributing reasons to put the work in for a healthy gut. With 70% of the immune system living in the gut, it makes sense that a healthy gut contributes to an energised and healthy little munchkin who can fight off colds, flus and the like. The human body has around 100 trillion bacteria, the good ones have some pretty important tasks and roles in helping fight off bad bacteria, so it’s important to feed the good bacteria to support a healthy, flourishing gut.

These beneficial bacteria play a crucial role in digestion, immune defence and nutrient absorption.

What Does Good Gut Health Look Like?

Good gut health in kids will mostly be reflective in their digestion; are they regular versus are they constipated?

Regular, comfortable digestion is often one of the clearest indicators of good gut health in children.

Some other areas you will notice good gut health, is if kids have a strong immune system, a natural amount of gas, are great sleepers, and have consistent energy relative to a toddler and child. A healthy gut really does contribute to a happy little vegemite, but it also makes your life as a parent that little bit easier to manage when you have a little one with a healthy gut.

Gut health for kids supports key systems that influence both short-term wellbeing and long-term health outcomes.

How to Identify Poor Digestive Health in Children

To identify what good gut health looks like, it’s helpful to identify what a not-so-healthy gut can look like.

Changes in digestion, immunity or behaviour can often signal an imbalance in gut health.

Often when something is happening on the outside, it’s an indicator of something that’s going on inside. Some indicators and signs your child’s gut may be struggling include: finding it hard sleeping, poor digestion, a low immune system that results in sickness, sugar cravings, mood swings and a lack of energy, these are just some of the things to look for, however the first sign and symptom will be poor digestion and a low immune system.

Signs and Symptoms of an Irritated Gut in Children

Symptoms of an irritated gut in kids can range from poor digestion, irregular bowel movements, uncomfortable digestion or stomach aches, and other roll-on effects like poor immunity, sleep, and general fatigue (more than the norm for kids).

A compromised gut can affect how well nutrients are absorbed, which may impact growth and development.

A healthy gut aids in nutrient absorption, and those nutrients will do some essential things like support the immune system and support growth and development.

How to Support Good Gut Health in Children

Supporting your kid's gut health starts with the right foods and cutting down on foods that can be potential irritants. Diet is responsible for around 75% of a healthy gut.

Fibre & hydration

One of the most delicious ways to support your kid’s gut health and wellbeing is by consuming high-quality fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain fibre that contributes to healthy digestion.

Dietary fibre feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports regular bowel movements.

Fruits and vegetables are soluble fibre, which also helps kids feel fuller for longer, win-win.

Other sources of fibre include whole grains, oats, barley, legumes and potatoes. We completely understand the struggle when it comes to getting fussy kids to get their daily intake of nutrition, fruits and veggies. If that’s you then Veggie Hero is your go-to for wholefood nutrition, with 15 veggies, fruits and super greens designed for kids’ taste buds and parents' peace of mind when it comes to providing healthy meals for picky eaters. Veggie Hero is easy to sneak onto rice cakes, into noodles, into baking and kid's favourite pasta and meals. It’s important to mention here too that with an increase in fibre there must be an increase in water. If kids' bodies aren’t well hydrated it can actually add to constipation.

Staying well hydrated helps fibre move smoothly through the digestive system.

So staying well hydrated is essential alongside fibre intake.

Pre and pro-biotics

Pre and pro-biotics feed the good bacteria in the gut.

Prebiotics act as food for beneficial bacteria, while probiotics help introduce and maintain healthy gut microorganisms.

Prebiotics can be found in foods like bananas, oats, barley, flaxseed and of course in our family-friendly protein Thriving Family.

Thriving Family contains sprouted & bio-fermented pea and brown rice proteins combined with prebiotics & 1 billion CFU of probiotics per serve.

This combination supports gut health while being gentle and easily digestible for growing tummies.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the growth, development and repair of all tissues and is great for collagen production which is essential in connective tissue, such as the gut lining.

A healthy gut lining is important for maintaining overall gut integrity.

Vitamin C is also involved in immune function, iron absorption, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth.

Collagen & Gelatin

Collagen and Gelatin are not only high-quality proteins, but they also contain the amino acid L-glutamine which feeds the cells lining the gut.

L-glutamine supports the strength and repair of the gut lining.

Hot tip, make gummies with gelatin and combine with Choc Whiz, Berry Immune, Captain Calm or Veggie Hero for some extra flavour and wholefood nutrition.

Limit gut irritants

Cut back on processed and artificial foods and sugars.

Highly processed foods can disrupt gut balance and contribute to digestive discomfort.

These foods can often cause constipation and should be limited to occasional treats.

Discover How Superfoods For Kids Can Promote Better Gut Health

A wholefood diet free from synthetics is the best way to support your kid's gut health.

Wholefood nutrition helps nourish beneficial gut bacteria while supporting overall wellbeing.

Try incorporating one or two products at a time and remember, building a healthy gut takes time and consistency.

FAQs About Gut Health for Kids

How to improve child digestion?

Improving a child's digestion means looking after the gut wellbeing. Introducing kid friendly pre and probiotics, eating an adequate amount of wholefood nutrition and limiting gut irritants like processed foods and sugars.

How to build a child's microbiome?

Building and supporting a child's developing microbiome requires a nutritious diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and foods rich in pre and probiotics like yoghurt.

What are symptoms of gut health issues?

Common symptoms of gut health issues can include poor digestion, excessive gas or bloating, mood swings, trouble sleeping and a lack of energy.

This blog is for informational purposes only, regardless of the advice of holistic health practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. Please obtain medical advice relevant to your particular circumstances from your health professional.