Making Better Kid’s Meals

Posted on: 8 August 2016

If you have a chronic gastrointestinal illness like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or diverticulitis, then you're already aware that these conditions are extremely painful and require constant management. Your doctor will likely inform you to cut certain foods, like dairy products, out of your diet to reduce some of the intestinal swelling. However, you also should add some foods to your diet to help soothe and heal your digestive system. Keep reading about a few things you should add to your daily meals while cooking for yourself to help enhance your digestive health. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The cells that line your intestinal tract likely become damaged frequently if you have a chronic inflammation condition. Inflammation can continue and intestines can become significantly damaged if inflammation episodes are constant. This may leave the intestinal tissues in a constant state of ill health. Over time, this can lead to the formation of perforated bowels, fistulas, abscesses, intestinal blockages, and diarrhea. You can help to prevent serious complications by making sure that the intestines can heal in between inflammation episodes, and eating omega-3 fatty acids can help with this. 

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation along the intestinal tract. They also help to retain the mucosal layer that lines the intestines. This mucous prevents infections and keeps stomach enzymes and fecal matter from destroying the delicate intestinal tissues.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel. The healthy fats are also located in chia seeds, flaxseeds, oregano, and basil. Make sure to make a dish with fish at least a few times a week. Also, add seeds to your dinner salads or eat a handful for your mid-afternoon snack. Make sure to use a generous amount of fresh oregano and basil when creating sauces and meat dishes too. If you cannot fit these foods into your diet, then try a supplement. Omega-3 fatty acid or fish oil supplements can be found at most pharmacies. 

Probiotics

If you want your intestinal tract to remain healthy, then you will need to make sure that the bacteria and yeast that live in the digestive tract remain in a state of balance. Intestinal inflammation is typically caused by an overactive immune system, and your body can easily destroy the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines. Yeast can then overgrow and cause perforations, diarrhea, and additional swelling. To prevent this from happening, make sure to eat foods with probiotics. While you can retain healthy bacteria by taking supplements, consuming the microorganisms through food sources is a better choice. 

If you are the type of person that loves to bake and cook sweet treats, then sugar or sweeteners that contain probiotics are a great way to increase the microorganisms in your gut. The probiotics contained in these products have an outer coating or organic material that helps the bacteria remain intact through the baking process. The coating also keeps your stomach acids from destroying the microorganisms.

Use probiotic sugar as a substitute for regular sugar. Add it to breads, cakes, muffins, and other baked goods. Also, add a spoonful to your coffee or tea in the morning. Tea is especially helpful to reduce intestinal inflammation, so make a cup of green, marshmallow, chamomile, or slippery elm tea and mix in the probiotic sugar. This is best during or immediately after an inflammatory episode. 

Inflammatory intestinal diseases can be extremely painful and debilitating. Changing your diet and eating habits is one way to help reduce your discomfort. Both Omeg-3 fatty acids and probiotics can help you, so make sure to add these healthy additives to your meals every day.