This Diet is Easy
Eczema and diet. Boy have I gone down a few google rabbit holes on this one. Navigating eczema-healing diets may feel overwhelming and sometimes counterintuitive. With considerations like micro and macro nutrients, histamine, salicylates, sugar, nuts, gluten, and more. But if I were to distill it down, I’d describe it simply as “easy.”
Easy foods are gentle on digestion, soothing, calming, and restorative—exactly what our precious eczema kiddos require. With their delicate digestion, congested detox pathways, overwhelmed livers and lymph systems, and fragile skin barriers, they urgently need essential nutrients.
Today, I’m going to show you what and how to feed our little ones to make nourishing them a breeze!
Listen Below For The Entire Episode on The Eczema Kids Podcast
Support Digestive Health for Your Kids
Let’s dive into the importance of incorporating easy-to-digest foods into your child’s eczema journey.
When your little one is grappling with eczema, their sensitive digestive system requires ample support. This is where easy-to-digest foods play a crucial role. Options such as cooked apples, or zucchini offer much-needed relief.
On the flip side, challenging-to-digest foods like heavy meats, nuts, cheese, and wheat can strain your child’s system. They linger longer in the body, inviting bacteria to proliferate and generate toxins, which can exacerbate skin issues and overall health concerns.
By prioritizing easy-to-digest foods, you’re not only granting your child’s digestive system a respite but also enhancing nutrient absorption and waste elimination efficiency. This translates to fewer toxins accumulating in their body and a smoother path toward alleviating eczema symptoms.
Let’s simplify mealtime for our little ones by selecting foods that nurture and bolster their journey to achieving clear, comfortable skin.
“The cooking method you choose for your kid’s meals is just as crucial as the ingredients themselves. Opt for easily digestible foods, and you’ll likely notice improvements in their behavior, smoother skin, and stronger immunity. ” -Andra McHugh
Digestion Takes Energy
Let’s delve into the remarkable effort that goes into digestion, particularly for our little ones contending with eczema.
Did you realize that as much as 30 percent of the energy derived from your child’s daily calorie intake is allocated to the digestion and absorption of their food? That’s a substantial portion of their energy exclusively devoted to the digestive process.
When it comes to breaking down various macronutrients, the energy expenditure varies. Fat digestion utilizes merely 3 percent of the calories it yields, while carbohydrates consume 5 to 10 percent. However, it’s the digestion of protein that truly warrants attention, as it necessitates up to 30 percent of the calories released by protein to be digested and assimilated.
Introducing Bioavailable Eczema-Soothing Skincare
In addition to feeding our kids healing, digestible foods, we have to soothe their skin with bioavailable skincare products specifically designed for eczema can help alleviate discomfort and promote healing. At Eczema Kids, we offer a range of kid-friendly, eczema-healing skincare products that are gentle yet effective. Our Eczema-Soothing Skin Comfort Trio includes:
- Skin-Building and Microbiome-Boosting Herbal Oil: This nourishing oil helps strengthen the skin barrier and support a healthy microbiome, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
- Anti-Itch and Staph Spray: Formulated with cooling ingredients, our anti-itch spray provides relief from itching while targeting staph bacteria on the skin.
- Nutritive Tallow Balm: Our creamy tallow balm moisturizes and protects the skin without leaving a greasy residue, providing long-lasting hydration and comfort.
Systemic Inflammation and Kids with Eczema
Now, let’s factor in systemic inflammation, a prevalent concern for our eczema youngsters. With this added challenge, their already strained digestive system requires even more energy to cope with the task at hand. It’s crucial to remember that children inherently possess less robust digestive systems compared to adults.
The cumulative toll of all this effort can be profoundly draining, depriving their bodies and digestive organs of the necessary rest for optimal function. Therefore, it’s imperative that we provide support for their digestive health in every possible manner.
Nurturing the Gut/Brain Axis with Easy to Digest Foods
You may be familiar with the concept of the gut-brain axis—a captivating link between our digestive system and brain function. This connection holds particular importance in supporting children with eczema.
At first glance, you might question the relationship between the gut and the brain. However, research has unveiled that these two systems communicate incessantly, influencing various aspects such as mood, emotions, cognitive abilities, and behavior.
In the context of eczema, this connection becomes especially pertinent. The gut microbiome, comprising a diverse array of bacteria in our digestive tract, plays a pivotal role in regulating immune responses, inflammation, and even neurotransmitter production, impacting mood and mental health.
If you’re looking to read more about the gut/brain axis, check out Dr. Natasha Campbell’s book, Gut and Psychology Syndrome.
Digestive Health = Cognitive Health
Disruption of the delicate balance within the gut microbiome, a common occurrence in eczema and other inflammatory conditions, can affect not only digestive health but also brain function. This disruption may manifest as mood disturbances or behavioral changes in children with eczema.
By prioritizing easy-to-digest foods, we can not only enhance our children’s physical well-being but also bolster their mental clarity and cognitive function. It’s a win-win for their overall health and happiness!
Which Foods Are the Easiest to Digest?
Let’s explore foods that are gentle on sensitive tummies, especially for our little ones grappling with eczema. I’ve got a list of the best foods for our eczema friends, divided by season, right here.
You’re probably familiar with how we introduce solids to babies. We don’t start them off with hefty steaks or crunchy salads, do we? No way! We opt for gentle, soft foods like mashed bananas and carrots. Why? Because we aim to provide maximum nutrition with minimal strain on their delicate digestive systems.
When selecting foods that are easy to digest, keep this approach in mind. Choose cooked, soft, and soupy options that won’t overwhelm your child’s tummy. Imagine comforting rice soups. Kitchari is a great example. Kitchari has been deemed “India’s chicken soup” because of its soothing and nourishing qualities.
When it comes to proteins, consider sunflower seeds and fish as your top choices. They rank among the easiest proteins for the body to break down. That’s what makes them perfect selections for kiddos dealing with eczema.
So, whenever you’re uncertain, stick to baby-friendly foods that are gentle on the gut. This also means the recipes are easier for you to make! Your child’s tummy will surely appreciate it!
How to Make Food Easier to Digest
We have plenty of strategies at our disposal to make foods easier for our little ones with eczema to digest. If you’re looking for plug-and-play seasonal, eczema healing, easy-to-digest meal plans, look no further than the Clear Skin Kids Course!
Let’s start with traditional cooking techniques, which can work wonders. Pre-soaking beans and lentils helps break down the compounds that often make them challenging to digest. Additionally, sprouting grains and legumes, if you plan ahead a few days, can significantly enhance their nutritional profile and bioavailability. These methods micro-activate the biochemical composition of foods, making them more readily absorbed and easier on the digestive system. Pretty neat, isn’t it?
When it comes to meal preparation, prioritize soft, cooked foods, especially in the morning when digestion tends to be weaker. For heartier meals, tools like an Instant Pot or VitaClay can quickly whip up delicious and easy-to-digest dishes.
Let’s not overlook the importance of seasonal eating. Consuming foods that are in season not only ensures the best flavor and nutrition but also introduces the right microbes into our gut, which can greatly aid digestion. Remember, eczema often originates from an imbalanced or dysbiotic gut, so fostering diversity in our microbiome is crucial for overall health.
Digestive Health = Holistic Health and Clear Skin
So, there you have it. My goal was to give you valuable insights and practical strategies to make foods gentler on those sensitive tummies. Let’s continue to nourish our kiddos from the inside out! If you’re looking for more ways you can support your kiddo’s digestion, try Nurturing Kids with Eczema through the Power of Digestive Enzymes, Five Essential Tips for Strengthening Immunity and Managing Childhood Eczema or The Perfect Summer Diet for Eczema Relief .
Your dedication and perseverance are truly admirable, and I want to commend you all for your ongoing efforts. Join the Natural Eczema Solutions for Kids Facebook Group for healing, harmony and connection with other parents who know. Together, we’ve got this!
FAQ
Can I keep dairy in my child’s diet if we are trying to heal from eczema?
Removing dairy from your child’s diet during the healing process from eczema can be beneficial for several reasons. Dairy products are often challenging to digest for many people, especially those with sensitive digestive systems, which can exacerbate symptoms of eczema. Additionally, dairy is considered an inflammatory food, meaning it has the potential to increase inflammation in the body, further aggravating eczema symptoms. By eliminating dairy, you may help alleviate some of the stress on your child’s digestive system and reduce inflammation, potentially leading to improvements in their eczema symptoms. If you’re looking for ready-made, easy, digestible meal plans for your kiddo with eczema rashes, join the Clear Skin Kids Course. Clear skin is made in the kitchen!
