If you have kids then you know how irritable they can be when they have digestive issues.  Considering the foods they love – candy, cookies, high-sugar cereals, and pizza, to name a few – are notoriously lacking in fiber, it’s no wonder they may experience occasional constipation. 

You probably already know that fiber is important for healthy digestion.  A diet high in fiber may help avoid occasional constipation, because fiber plays an essential role in helping food pass through our intestines. So, how do you get kids to eat more fiber without force-feeding them bran cereal (which, by the way, can get very messy!)? Getting more fiber into kids’ diet doesn’t have to be a constant battle after all!

• Rather than packing a regular sandwich for their lunch, make one with whole wheat pita bread.  Kids often like pita bread and whole wheat pita is a good source of fiber.   In addition to some healthy, lean meat such as turkey, you can stuff lots of veggies into a pita, adding extra fiber. 
• Add berries and anti-oxidants to their morning cereal.  Raspberries are especially high in fiber, and kids love them.  Other berries which are high in fiber and great with cereal are blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
• Use whole grain spaghetti and pasta – it’s high in fiber and much more filling than regular white spaghetti and pasta.  Dice up some veggies like celery, onions, peppers and zucchini to add to the spaghetti sauce for even more fiber. 
• Serve multi-grain waffles for breakfast.
• Use hummus as a healthy, high fiber dip for raw veggies or tortilla chips. It’s made from chick peas and a great source of fiber.
• When you bake cookies or other treats use half whole wheat flour and half regular flour.  
• Provide whole grain crackers and cheese for a healthy snack. 

 Try these with your kids.  Some they’ll love more than others, of course, but at least you’ll know they are eating healthier foods, getting more fiber into their diet, and hopefully having fewer constipated days. 

However, when your kids are already occasionally constipated, give them an herbal laxative such as Smooth Move® Chocolate tea. Kids between 2 and 6 year old can drink ¼ cup of tea and kids between 6 and 12 year old can drink ½ cup before bedtime. While they sleep, Smooth Move® naturally stimulates the muscles of their intestines to get going in the morning. Every herb in Smooth Move® is of the highest degree of purity for maximum health benefit. There no genetically modified ingredients, so you know that in addition to a healthy diet, you are also providing the goodness of a natural laxative.