We want our kids to be happy and healthy. But as a parent, it’s hard when they don’t want or like the things they need for good health. If your child doesn’t go, struggles to go, or has some other digestive issue, I will share our own story, possible solutions, as well as grocery lists that anyone can use.
My daughter has always been a picky eater, and when she was little she just didn’t like to go. As she got a little older, her digestive issues became so severe she could only eat tiny amounts of food at a time and her stomach was cramping constantly.
We started with our pediatrician and they took an x-ray of her stomach. She was extremely constipated. The first part of the process was a prescribed “evacuation” under the supervision of our doctor. This was a combination of Miralax and Exlax chewables over two days, however this is not recommended unless prescribed by your doctor. Once her bowels and stomach were clear, step two was maintenance.
Phase two to maintain her gut health was to increase her fiber intake and to take a probiotic, which we were already doing. As a picky eater, we do lean into gummies. We like this probiotic and this fiber supplement (yummy gummy rings!) We also lean toward natural solutions first, so we love this essential oil blend for kids from Young Living called Tummygize.
She is doing much better and definitely improved regularity! We are all more mindful of our fiber consumption as a family, and make sure to high fiber foods readily available.
Her doctor recommended these high fiber foods:
- blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
- broccolli
- corn
- apples
- yogurt – mix in chia seeds
I did my own research as well just to be sure we were offering a variety. Here are some shopping lists you can print or screenshot. I hope you find them helpful!
Trader Joe’s shopping list:
- mango/peach yogurt
- black bean rotini (organic)
- chickpea fusilli pasta
- Whole wheat pita bread
- Frozen edamame
- Crunchy peanut butter with chia seeds
- Freeze dried raspberries
- Freeze dried berry medley
- Chocolate almond protein smoothie
- Sweet and sour gummy worms (whole bag has laxative effect)
- piquant popcorn
- Strawberry vanilla prebiotic soda
- Chocolate chip energy bar
Aldi shopping list:
- Baby carrots
- Broccolli
- Apples (Pink Lady apples are SO good)
- Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries (all for a great price here, even organic!)
- Simple Nature Applesauce
- Simply Nature Chewy Granola Bites
- Millville Chewy Fiber Bars
- Black bean corn tortilla chips (gluten free)
- Chia seeds
- Shelled edamame
- Berry Medley (frozen)
- Vitalife strawberrry vanilla prebiotic soda (like Ollipop, often cheaper than Trader Joe’s)
Amazon shopping list:
- Kind bars
- Annie’s cheesy cheddar crackers with hidden veggies
- 365 veggie straws
- Fiber One chewy bars, oats and chocolate
- 365 organic unsweetened applesauce
- Noka superfood smoothie pouches
- Banza chickpea pasta
I am so interested to hear stories from others with similar experiences. Do you or a loved one struggle with digestive issues or with fiber intake? Do you have any favorite high fiber foods that your picky eater loves? I would love to hear from you and for you to share any I’ve left out in the comments.
Essentially Better Living 