Diet is a key factor in gut health. Parents can help kids build a healthy gut by following these tips:

• Serve foods high in dietary fiber.
Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains are rich in fiber which feeds good bacteria and prevents constipation.

• Limit sugar.
Sugar feeds bad bacteria, suppresses the immune system and contributes to constipation. Choose water instead of sugary drinks; it also helps move dietary fiber through the system.

• Add foods with good bacteria.
Eating foods with live and active cultures such as yogurt is an easy way of adding beneficial bugs to your child’s digestive tract.

• Stay away from processed foods and artificial sweeteners.
Such foods lack dietary fiber, contribute to constipation, and produce gas in the system.

Such foods lack dietary fiber, contribute to constipation, and produce gas in the system.
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• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics.
Use antibiotics only when necessary and select the narrowest spectrum to attack the problem-causing bacteria. Doing so will minimize wiping out good bacteria along with the bad.