Nutrition for active children
This blog post reveals what children should eat before and after sport and why a balanced diet is so important.
When children’s immune systems weaken, good advice is expensive for parents. Probiotics – little helpers from the world of bacteria that can supposedly work wonders in the gut – are being mentioned more and more often. What is behind this? And what is the difference to prebiotics? We explain what probiotics and prebiotics really do for children.
These two terms are often used in advertising in connection with our digestion. But what exactly is behind them? Probiotics are living microorganisms, usually lactic acid bacteria or yeasts. If they enter the intestine in sufficient quantities, they can support the balance of the intestinal flora, while prebiotics are dietary fibers that serve as “food” for the good intestinal bacteria. So you can think of it like a garden: Probiotics are the new plants that you plant. Prebiotics are the water and the fertilizer that promote growth. Both work best together!
Research into probiotics in children is constantly growing – and there are already a few cases where benefits have been shown. Certain probiotic strains can shorten the duration of acute diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal infections, for example. They have also proven to be effective as an adjunct to antibiotics. This is because antibiotics not only attack pathogens, but also beneficial intestinal bacteria. Probiotics can help to restore the balance more quickly and reduce side effects such as diarrhea. There are also initial indications that probiotics could play a role in atopic dermatitis or allergies. However, the study situation here is not yet clear.
Important: Not every probiotic has the same effect. Different strains of bacteria have different effects. It is therefore worth discussing with your pediatrician which products make sense.
When it comes to food supplements, parents often ask themselves whether their child really needs to take supplements permanently or whether a healthy diet is sufficient. The motto should be: focus primarily on a varied diet and use supplements selectively after consultation.
Natural probiotics can be found in foods such as natural yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut or kimchi. For children, yoghurt is usually the most suitable source for everyday use. Prebiotics can be found in abundance in fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products. Even a varied, high-fiber diet provides enough “bacterial food.” Food supplements come into play above all when targeted support is required, for example to accompany antibiotic therapy. Special products can be useful here.
Probiotics are not a miracle cure that will make all childhood illnesses disappear. But they can be a valuable support in certain situations. Prebiotics in the form of fiber are a must for a healthy diet anyway.
A stable children’s gut is not built up by powders and capsules alone, but through a mixture of a balanced diet, exercise, fresh air and sometimes also through the targeted use of probiotics. It is important not to see them as a substitute for a healthy diet and medical care, but as a building block in a holistic approach.
Eating for gut health doesn’t have to be complicated: With fiber-rich foods, colorful vegetables, whole grains and yogurt, the intestinal flora can be strengthened – delicious and integrated into everyday life in a child-friendly way.
This blog post reveals what children should eat before and after sport and why a balanced diet is so important.