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Diets High In Processed And Refined Foods Are Making Our Kids Constipated
It's No Secret That Kids Are Picky Eaters...
Their preference would be chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese every day if they had
it their way. But a diet high in processed and refined foods, and low in fruits
and veggies has far reaching consequences, especially on little bodies.
First, the more children don’t eat fruits and veggies, the more likely they’ll not
want to eat them later in life.
Second, a diet low in fruits and veggies means a diet low in many nutrients and
fiber.
Third, when children don’t eat enough fruits and veggies, they get constipated.
A recent study found that primary school children who didn’t like fruits and vegetables
were 13 times more likely to develop functional constipation than children who did
like fruits and veggies. As a parent, you might not even realize your child is constipated.
Maybe your children are in school or day care, so you can’t keep track of every
potty break. Ask about their bowel movements. At least one healthy bowel movement
daily (quantity counts!) is an indication that they are not constipated.
But what can you do if your children are not having daily bowel movements? Try these
following tips to maintain regularity in your kids:
Increase Your Child’s Water Intake. Studies have shown that children who drank less
than 400mL (13.5 ounces) of fluid daily were also more likely to be constipated.
Get Creative With Your Veggies. Be persistent in trying new veggies from time to
time. Children’s tastes change, and often, a veggie that was detested last month
seems to go down without a hitch the next. For the pickiest of eaters, there are
many recipes out there that help you “hide” the veggies by adding them to other
foods in stealthy ways. You may even find yourself trying new veggies by using these
tricks.
Try A Great-Tasting Fiber Supplement. In addition, a fiber supplement can help increase
stool bulk and promote bowel regularity. Look for a
great tasting fruit and veggie
fiber that can be mixed into a smoothie or added to juice.
Yours in Great Health,
Brenda Watson, C.N.C. |
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