Food is a complex issue in our house.. Ever since my little one had a gastro bug aged 2.5 years old she has never been the same. Her behaviour and her attitude to food has dramatically changed to the point it is a daily stress and upset. When she wakes she is happy and relaxed but with the arrival of breakfast or dinner we start to have phobias and avoidance behaviour. It is so upsetting that food is her nemesis and I know its the one thing that can heal her. BUT I have a conundrum – How do we make gut healing foods child friendly?
Image by Henrique Felix
I’m reading so much about GAPS (Gut And Psychology Syndrome). The balance of microorganisms in the gut has a powerful effect on the brain. This interaction is called the gut–brain axis. Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, the gut-brain axis is an important topic for us to pay attention to. The health of the gut is tied to our children’s overall health and wellness AND to their brain function.
One particular “superfood” related to gut-healing is Bone Broth. I’m a sensitive soul and try to be plant based as much as possible. I believe in treating animals with respect and care, but I can’t deny our bodies need protein and nutrients largely from animal sources. Making a broth means simmering bones and I really can’t do this, so I bought organic packets by Coombe Farm and froze them.
Here are some of the key nutritional benefits of bone broth:
- Bone broth is a good source of protein. A poor protein intake can lead to a host of physical and mental health challenges. Bone broth helps ensure that your child is getting enough protein each day.
- It is very rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Magnesium is especially important for children and adults with anxiety, mood, attention, and sleep symptoms, and bone broth is a good source of magnesium.
- Very rich in amino acids, specifically proline and glycine. These are very healing for the gut, which is important because a healthy gut leads to a healthy brain. They also help reduce inflammation, which has been implicated in depression, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and a host of other mental and physical health conditions. These amino acids also help strengthen the immune system, and this is why we are told that chicken soup is good to eat when you are sick! Glycine is also essential for healthy central nervous system function, and it helps calm excitatory neurotransmitters.
- Major source of the amino acid l-glutamine, which is necessary for gut health. The gut is often referred to as “the second brain” because of the many connections between the gut and the brain, and the ways in which the gut impacts brain function. There is a substantial amount of research showing the connection between gut health and mental health, and it is now known that problems in the gut can cause or worsen problems in the brain – including anxiety, depression, insomnia, autism, ADHD, and many more.
- Finally, bone broth is effective at reducing inflammation. Research continues to highlight the connections between inflammation in the body and various aspects of brain function. Inflammation has been linked to a variety of mental health issues including depression, autism spectrum disorders, and seizure disorders. Bone broth is a simple tool for supporting a reduction of inflammation-related symptoms in the brain.
They say bone broth is a critical ingredient in the gut healing process, but I’m totally daunted by how to get my child, who is supper fussy with food, to even take a sip of the broth. And I’m really interested in a more animal friendly options. I will try both for her as healing her is so important to me right now, but I was delighted to find A VEGGIE GUT HEALING BONE BROTH OPTION
Food has already become a battle and now a daily stressor. I have to work really hard to reverse the damage and alleviate the pressure surrounding food. Stress and food just don’t mix. And stress can hinder healing. The two most important things that you can do to help your child learn how to eat healthily is do so yourself and present them only with healthy options.
If you have healed your child’s gut and seen positive results, please do comment below. I’m so keen to hear success stories. xx
Jane Bardoe says
Have you tried the bone broth yet? Mix it in with the tomato sauce you eat with spaghetti…