Many children suffer from constipation during the holiday season. This is hardly surprising: during this period, our meal times are upside down and, let’s face it, it is much more fun for them to stay at the party and ignore it when nature calls! But it does not explain everything. Low-fibre and no-fibre foods are legion in our holiday menus and are often to blame: meat, poultry, dry-cure meats, cheese and white bread, as well as desserts, will be served at will. Finally, the usual fruit snacks will be replaced by grandma’s sugar pie or by chocolates and chips.
Eating fibres, staying hydrated, moving and responding promptly when nature calls are the secrets to avoid constipation during the holiday season.
Breakfast
- Provide whole-grain bread.
- Add dried cranberries and nuts to wheat flakes cereals.
- Add whole flaxseeds and raspberries to vanilla yogurt.
- Add a muffin made with oat bran and dates.
Snacks
- Suggest exploring and trying new fruits.
- Prepare fruit skewers and yogurt dip.
Meals
- Prepare a plate of raw vegetables and dip.
- Provide side vegetables and vegetables and legumes salads.
- For dessert, make a Holiday season fruit salad or soak dried and fresh fruits in dark chocolates and walnuts.
At any time
- Drink water to quench your thirst.
And don’t forget to walk, dance, go skiing and play games that make you move… your intestines!
