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The real diet of a constipated child is through balanced meals. Or four a day at regular times and without snacking. Teach your child to eat slowly by taking the time to chew well, which helps digestion. To this must be added daily and sustained physical activity to stimulate transit. A few changes in the diet are usually enough to get everything back to normal.
Childhood constipation: promote dietary fiber
Constipation often results from a diet that is too low in fiber. The stools therefore no longer progress in the intestine. The fiber consumption, such as dried fruits (prunes, apricots), legumes (white or red beans, chickpeas, lentils), vegetables and fresh fruits (leeks, spinach, lettuce, zucchini, strawberries, kiwi, raspberries) or cereals, is therefore essential.
It will allow the increase of the consistency of stool, thanks to their power to absorb water, and stimulate contractions of the intestine. If fibers are essential for the proper functioning of the transit, they have no apparent nutritional value. Consider whole grains in moderation as they can cause gas, bloating and prevent the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
Hydrate your child to prevent constipation
Get in the habit of giving your child enough to drink before he is thirsty: more than a liter a day. The best drink is still water, rather cool and preferably rich in magnesium, such as Hepar.
A good glass of fresh water in the morning when you wake up is an effective way to set the contents of the digestive tract in motion. Also think about soups of green vegetables, radish tops, with a little potato and a touch of crème fraîche to sweeten everything. In summer, play refreshment with tomato or zucchini gazpachos.
As for orange juice, if it is taken in the morning on an empty stomach and without added sugar, it starts the transit. And if your child likes them, give him some prune or grape juice. But don’t overdo it: they end up irritate the colon without improving transit.
Our anti-constipation tips
Slow sugar side: starch from rice and white bread, pasta, semolina, potatoes slow down transit. Do not remove them, but replace them in part or garnish them with vegetables.
The fast sugars : sweets, pastries, biscuits, chocolate or sugary drinks leave little residue and also slow down intestinal transit. Avoid until the normal resumption of bowel movements. Likewise, carrots, quince, bananas, blueberries and black currants are considered constipating.
Dairy products, and more particularly those with Bifidus, are known to accelerate transit. For pure milk, doctors advise not to give more than 500 ml or equivalent per day.