Many parents have spent the majority of their time with their kids trying to avoid having them touch or eat anything that contains bacteria and germs, but studies have shown that bacteria provide a lot of benefits for their immune system and digestive health.
These live microorganisms also known as Probiotics will provide a long life of health and wellness for your baby.
What are Probiotics?
You may have heard that probiotics are good for the gut and your immune system, but what are they exactly? Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that can be found in cultured foods such as yogurt, buttermilk, and kefir, as well as fermented foods such as kimchi. The most widely used form of probiotics is supplements that are capsules, powders, and liquids.
How Does It Work?
The simplest way to explain the functions of probiotics is when you start consuming probiotics it will increase the healthy microbes in your gut. The healthy microbes will begin to fill your gut with beneficial bacteria that will boost your digestive system health and your immune system.
What are the Benefits for Your Child?
Studies have shown that probiotics for children are a great way to help them develop a healthy gut during their early years. Some of the benefits studies have shown is that probiotics helped infants and children with acute viral gastroenteritis by reducing diarrhea.
Probiotics may also work as a reliever for acute constipation, colic, and acid reflux in children. Studies have also shown that probiotics helps children from developing eczema and allergies.
How to Incorporate Probiotics in Your Child’s Food.
If you’re thinking of giving your child probiotics, it’s best to introduce it naturally with food. One of the best sources of probiotics is yogurt. Add yogurt in your child’s diet by preparing a healthy snack of yogurt, honey, and granola or mixing it up in a delicious smoothie to drink in the morning with their breakfast.
Kefir is also a great option if your child isn’t a fan of the yogurt texture. If your family is vegan or avoids dairy products, tempeh is a wonderful replacement. Tempeh is a fermented soybean used as a substitute for meat and it contains vitamin B12. The easiest way to have your child eat food with healthy bacteria is cheese. Some kinds of cheeses have good bacteria such as Gouda, cheddar, cottage cheese, and Mozzarella. If your child doesn’t like eating cheese on its own, you can cook it with their food such as pasta, eggs, or placing it inside a sandwich.
Is it Safe for your Child?
Before giving your child probiotics, it’s best to talk to your child’s pediatrician to make sure they are able to take probiotics. Generally, probiotics are safe for children except preterm infants and children with compromised immune systems as they may develop an infection or gas and bloating.
There are a lot of benefits for your child with the usage of probiotics, ask your child’s doctor before giving them probiotics.
