Which foods have the most probiotics
Which foods have the most probiotics?
One line of defense in a child’s body against illnesses is the gut. Within the gut, there are good live bacteria called probiotics that help with digestion and fight off the bad bacteria. A child is naturally equipped with a mix of probiotics and prebiotics (fibers that are food for the probiotics) and the nutrition they receive affects how this microbiome develops and boosts immunity health. There are many types of probiotics and they each have a positive purpose. For complete and balanced nutritional benefits, support your child’s with probiotic rich foods and nutritional supplements enriched with probiotic properties and prebiotic fibers (eg. Pediasure) when need be.1, 2, 6
Why are Probiotics important?
The combined system of prebiotics and probiotics is called synbiotics.1, 2 The right mix of the two can ensure that the probiotics survive and thrive to take care of a child’s health through the gut. An unhealthy balance, when the bad bacteria outweigh the good probiotics, health problems like constipation, diarrhoea, inflamed allergies, and a hampered immune system. Probiotics boost the immune system by aiding in digestion and releasing immunity boosting vitamins (A, B6, C), minerals (selenium, zinc, iron) that are in food.4, 6 Meaning probiotics aid in production of the natural antibodies to fight off infections.
Best food sources
There are many varieties of probiotic rich foods, and through those is how your child should get the most. So as long as your child is eating plenty of fresh foods full of immune supporting vitamins, minerals and prebiotic fibers, the probiotics will thrive. Here are some of the best food sources of probiotic rich foods. Remember to take it slow when increasing serving size or introducing them to your child. Too much at a time may not give a child’s body to get used to it:
Vegetarian options: pickled vegetables, peas, kimchi, tempeh/miso, apple cider vinegar, brined olives, sourdough bread, fortified foods 4, 5
Non vegan options: kefir, cheese, fresh yogurt or fortified yogurt 3, 4
Supporting Prebiotic fiber food: asparagus, onions, wheat, oats, mango 3
Can parents provide formula or nutritional supplements for probiotics instead?
Children are children and have picky taste buds and food items, especially the probiotic rich kind, have strong flavors. The best probiotic food option for picky eaters is yogurt. The best kind of nutritional supplement is the kind that has both probiotic and prebiotic properties to provide the best support.3, 4 For when food alone is not enough, nutritional supplements like PediaSure® come in handy. Each of Pediasure’s scientifically formulated range of products are packed full of the key immunity supporting vitamins and minerals (A, B6, C, selenium, zinc, iron), probiotic properties and prebiotic fibers, a total of 37 essential nutrients, to support gut health and immunity boosting. Find out which one works for your child by consulting a pediatrician or visit Pediasure Myanmar for more information and samples.6, 7
References:
- https://www.nutriciaresearch.com/immunology/supporting-the-immune-system-through-nutrition/
- https://nutricia.com.au/aptamil/parents-corner/first-weeks/synbiotics-and-child-gut-health/
- https://mamaknowsnutrition.com/probiotic-foods-for-kids/#probiotics-probiotic-foods
- https://www.laurafuentes.com/probiotic-foods/
- https://weelicious.com/probiotic-foods-for-kids/
- https://abbottfamily.com.sg/products/page/pediasure
- https://pediasuremyanmar.com/