A food intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty digesting particular foods. This causes unwanted reactions from bloating and tummy upset to headaches and hives. What is a food intolerance  Food intolerances are non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivities. A food allergy on the other hand, is an IgE mediated allergy which means that IgE allergenic antibodies are the cause of the immune response to a food. A food intolerance is not a reaction of the immune system. Rather, the digestive system is in play. Symptoms are varied and typically appear later than in food allergies with some exp ..read more

Kids down with gastro? Gastro is a parent's worst nightmare. When the vomiting and diarrhoea hits, the fear of who's next sets in. In this article, we share some tips on what to drink and eat when your child has gastro and supplements to help heal from the infection. Phases of gastro treatment Treating gastroenteritis naturally relies on several key phases and priorities. These phases can help reduce your child's gastro symptoms (and help you escape days of washing sheets and holding your child's hair) and support their recovery.  These include: Manage symptoms and minimise the severity ..read more

Jo Atkinson is a passionate nutritionist who loves optimising children’s health and supporting parents in the process. We interview Jo to find out a bit more about her beyond her practice. As a mum and nutritionist, Jo Atkinson is passionate about your’s and your little one’s health. She knows first-hand the joys and challenges that come with parenthood and the constant juggle of work/life balance. That’s why Jo’s approach to nutrition and wellbeing is clear and simplified (and why we love her as part of the Nutrition For Kids’ team)! Jo purposefully works to reduce your overwhelm while addre ..read more

Looking after your child’s gut during the holidays can help keep them well even with a few candy canes and chocolates thrown in! Festive celebrations and school holidays mean our family's normal eating habits are disrupted. Sugary treats, processed foods and late nights can impact our children's gut health. You may notice mood swings, tummy complaints or fatigue. Looking after your child's gut microbiome leading up to Christmas and during the holidays is important Why your child's gut health matters The state of your child's gut and their microbiome influences their ability to digest, absorb ..read more

Constipation in babies starting solids is a very common complaint and one that can be quite distressing for both the baby and parents. It is normal for your babies bowel habits to change when moving from breastmilk or formula to solid foods. But is constipation normal, and should you be concerned? What is constipation in babies? Constipation causes a lot of worry with parents which is understandable as it can lead to a lot of discomfort. But what is constipation in babies and what isn't? Constipation is when your babies stools become hard and difficult to pass. Poos that are dry, firm and rese ..read more

Starting your infant on solids is a fun time for any parent, but baby constipation is a common problem as a result. Natural ways to treat baby constipation Starting your infant on solids is a fun time for any parent, but baby constipation is a common problem as a result. I remember clearly when my son struggled with constipation for several days and it was heartbreaking! Here I was thinking I was a brilliant mum making him delicious homemade baby food and then the poor little guy was straining so hard, I was worried his head was going to pop! No doubt you hav ..read more

Supporting your baby’s gut microbiome can begin during pre-conception, continuing well into childhood. Supporting your baby’s gut microbiome can begin during pre-conception, continuing well into childhood. The foundation of their gut microbiome can play a role in your baby’s health throughout their lifetime influencing their immunity, mental health, behaviour, autoimmune disease risk, weight status and so on. Babies are born with a highly impressionable and immature gut flora before it develops into a bacterial composition similar to an adults by 2-3 years of age. As parents, we have a window ..read more

Could leaky gut be to blame for your child's tummy pain, food allergies and weak immune system? "Leaky gut" has become a hot topic when talking about gut health as it can be associated with a number of health complaints in both adults and children. What is leaky gut? Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, refers to damage of the digestive tract lining. The intestinal wall is made of a single layer of cells held together with tight junctions. Attached to the cells are finger-like projections known as villi which help with nutrient absorption. When there is leaky gut syndrom ..read more

Are you choosing the right probiotic for your child? Probiotic supplements are not all created equal. In fact, there are vast differences between kids probiotics with some offering a therapeutic benefit and others being a huge waste of money. Gut health awareness has skyrocketed over the last couple of years and we're now understanding how good bacteria balance and strong diversity can help enhance our children's health and wellbeing.  The amount of probiotic supplements available has increased as a result of this growth in knowledge about the benefits ..read more

Antibiotics are an important medical treatment that has saved billions of lives worldwide but the overuse of antibiotics has devastating impacts on the gut microbiome, particularly that of a child's.  Antibiotics are an important medical treatment that has saved billions of lives worldwide but the overuse of antibiotics has devastating impacts on the gut microbiome, particularly that of a child's. In our recent webinar 'An Introduction to Kids Gut Health' I discussed the impacts on a child's gut microbiota development. Having received the results of the Kids Gut Health Che ..read more