It is not hard to understand why kids get constipation: Many do not like to eat the high-fiber foods that keep the colon regular. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends children eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other foods that can help prevent irregularity. If your child is chronically constipated, see your physician or other health professional for help.
Favor Whole Fruits Over Fruit Juices
Consuming fruits provide children with the soluble and insoluble fiber that they need to maintain healthy bowel movements. For example, buying fruits that are smaller and more appealing for smaller hands may make it more appetizing. Small apples and bananas, for example are ideal. Strawberries, plums, nectarines are also good choices for kids. Depending on the age of your child, grapes and strawberries are appropriate if your child does not easily choke on small pieces of food.
Ask Older Kids to Help Prepare Vegetables
Introducing kids to vegetables will help them prevent obesity and diabetes, which the National Institutes of Health states, more children are developing at younger ages. Bring your children with you grocery shopping if practical and encourage them to select one vegetable they will eat for lunch or dinner the next day or as a snack. For example, baby carrots, broccoli, spinach, kale or corn on the cob are excellent choices. Ask older children to help you prepare a mixed green salad or chop celery into small sticks to dip in a hummus or a spinach-yogurt dip instead of potato chips.
Carry Dried Fruits for Snacks
On the go, traveling in the car or on airplanes, dried fruits are less messy and easier to tote. Any kind of dried fruit will help your child stay regular. For example, prunes, dried figs, dried apple rings, or real fruit leather made from dried,unsweetened pineapple, mango or banana are all high in fruit sugar that most kids will enjoy eating. If you buy raisins, make sure they are organic as inorganic raisins are heavily treated with pesticides, states the Environmental Working Group.
