The microbiome, the gut, and leaky gut are all terms we’ve become more familiar with in recent years, especially as research continues to uncover a link between gut health and immunity, mood and behavior, sleep, constipation, allergies, and more. As parents, we’re also becoming really interested in probiotics for babies and kids—a market estimated to reach $215.87 million by 2026.
We know that nutrition plays a significant role in gut health, but without enough real, whole foods and too many processed foods, our kids may not be getting the gut-healthy bacteria they need to thrive.
In this episode, I’m talking with Dr. William W. Li, a physician, scientist, and author of the New York Times bestseller, “Eat to Beat Disease,” about how to build a healthy gut microbiome starting in utero, ways to boost your kid’s gut health and the best foods to focus on. We also talk about how the habits of COVID-19, such as an increase in snacking, may affect our kids’ immune systems, and if probiotics for kids is a good idea.
New episodes post on Tuesday. Subscribe today so you never miss the latest news and practical insight for raising healthy families and creating change in the U.S.
Be sure to sign up for the free video course, Turn Your Picky Eaters Into Little Foodies: https://www.julierevelant.com/free-video-email-course/.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:46 — 36.2MB)
Welcome
2:11 What is the microbiome and why is it important for all of us and our kids?
3:45 What does the microbiome have to do with immunity?
6:39 What does research suggest about gut health and COVID-19, including risk and severity?
17:21 What does research tell us about kids’ gut health today?
24:13 What role does nutrition play in gut health and are the foods kids eat detrimental to their health?
32:27 What are the best ways for listeners to boost their kids’ gut health starting during pregnancy?
42:11 Will kids’ snacking habits combined with increased handwashing during COVID-19 affect their immune systems long term?
45:18 Should kids take probiotics?
49:57 Where can listeners go to get more information about these food issues and about you?
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Dr. William W. Li’s New York Times bestselling book, “Eat To Beat Disease”
Learn more about Dr. William W. Li on his website
Follow Dr. William W. Li on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
The Dinner Daily is a one-of-a-kind, weekly, personalized dinner planning service that makes getting dinner on the table every night easy and affordable for busy families.
Founded by a working mom of 3, The Dinner Daily answers the “what’s for dinner” question, helps families eat healthy, and save money and time.
Members receive complete meal plans and an organized grocery shopping list customized according to their food preferences, dietary needs, family size, and weekly specials at more than 16,000 grocery stores across the U.S. to help them save money.
Meal plans can be customized for gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, heart-healthy, and more. The service also provides one-click ordering at Kroger stores nationwide and select Stop & Shop stores in the Northeast.
The Dinner Daily has been featured in Rachael Ray Every Day and Working Mother magazines.
Memberships are as low as $4/a month and new members get a free, 2-week trial. Go to TheDinnerDaily.com and use code “HEALTH15” to receive 15% off.
With hundreds of thousands of Americans dying each year from obesity, type-2 diabetes, and a slew of chronic health conditions—all a direct result of food inequities, a broken food culture, and food marketing, and worsened by COVID-19, a significant shift in how we think about food and how we feed our kids must happen now if we want to change the trajectory of health for our kids. Food Issues hosted by health journalist and blogger Julie Revelant features interviews with authors, researchers, healthy food advocates, and thought leaders who want to educate, inspire, and empower organizations, parents, and local communities to create real, lasting change and ensure a healthier future for our kids. Through profound conversations that uncover the real issues affecting families coupled with easy, practical tips for parents, this podcast is the place to change our kids’ futures.
