Go With Your Gut: Staying Healthy Through All Seasons

This winter my children's friends and classmates were dropping like flies from a host of viruses and the stomach flu which at times knocked out half the class!  We fared very well this winter, all things considered.  Tink got a 24 hour bug, Pink had only a single day of fever and general malaise, and Rella and CB never missed a day of school. I don't know how much of our general "wellness" is luck, good genes or healthy habits - it could be a combination of all three.  It certainly isn't because we douse ourselves in hand gel, load up on Vitamin C, get the flu vaccine, spray everything we own with Lysol, wipe down shopping carts handles or avoid all public places. That's just never been how we rolled, for better or worse.  

So what do we do to stay healthy during this time of year? Of course, there is no magic method because if so, all colds and flus would be eradicated. I mean, people get sick sometimes, right? It's certainly unavoidable, but you want to prevent the frequency and duration of it, for sure. Our family just follows the basics: We keep our hands washed, eat a healthy diet of minimized processed food, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest (no late bedtimes), avoid stress, take a multivitamin and try not to share drinks and food during the cold and flu season.  That, folks, is pretty much the extent of it.  No plastic bubbles here.  

My focus has always been on health promotion rather than illness avoidance.  It's semantics really; a simple re-frame.  I really enjoy researching healthy ways of living, eating, and thinking and try to incorporate them into our lifestyle for a balanced approach. Balance is the key word - balance in the minds, body and lifestyle choices.  A body out of balance is a body that could be more prone to getting sick. 

So what gets our kids' systems out of balance?  Our first thoughts tend to be dietary - we focus on reducing sugar consumption and increasing vitamins, minerals, and calcium.  One thing I never considered until recently, however, was the balance inside of their GI tracts.  There is not as much "mommy talk" about GI balance and the good vs bad bacteria in the GI tract. This is interesting to me since there is so much evidence supporting the relationship with immune system and the health of the digestive tract. 

Several of my girls have tummy and digestive issues. CB, like most kids on the Autism Spectrum, has a long history of gastrointestinal issues. Because diet and medications contribute to the non-beneficial bacteria in the gut, the "good to bad" microflora in her intestines is so incredibly out of whack that her GI baseline is near constant distress. If you are a long-time reader of this blog, you have read many of these stories (which are only the tip of the iceberg). 

Pink has what I refer to as a "sensitive tummy" and is prone to feeling a little nauseous, particularly in the mornings. And, I won't name names but some of the other girls have been known to clog up a toilet more than once.  I have read so many great things about probiotics for adults but never knew they were also helpful and availble for kids. 

Did you know that 70% of your immune system is in your GI tract? That is one of the reasons I started all four kids on daily probiotics. 

I was really excited to let all four of my children try Culturelle Kids Probiotic Packets and Chewables. Both forms pass the "taste test" with my picky girls. My little one takes it in the powder form dissolved into her favorite drink, and the older ones take the chewable tablets. 

Probiotic supplements like Culturelle Kids Probiotic Chewables helps children three and up who may have occasional stomach and digestive upset AND helps support their natural defense system. The powder packets can be used with children as young as one, safely. I use Culturelle Kids with Pink when her tummy is sour instead of a Tums or ginger ale and also use it with all the girls to keep their bodies in balance. 

With so many products out there on the market, I am happy with Culturelle Kids because they are the #1 recommended pediatrician brand. Their probiotics are safe to use daily, natural, and gluten and dairy free for kids on special diets.  

Culturelle Kids Probiotics helps support your child's natural defenses by helping keep the delicate balance of microflora or good bacteria in the gut. When the GI tract is in balance, the whole body is in balance which boosts immunity especially during the vulnerable times of year for colds and flus and the dreaded change of seasons which always comes with sickness.  Just like my motto - Balance is key to everything.

Check out the link for a coupon below!

Culturelle® Kids Probiotics is a natural solution for better digestive and immune health. Not only does it support a child’s digestion, helping to reduce occasional digestive upset, but it also helps to boost digestion and overall digestive health.

Considering that 70% of your immune system is in your digestive tract, a healthy and balanced digestive system plays a vital role in strengthening a child’s overall health and well-being.
To learn more, check out the Culturelle® website now.
And if you are interested in receiving $2.00 off your next Culturelle purchase, click here. (Offer expires April 30, 2013.)
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Culturelle® Kids Probiotics.