You might have heard of prebiotics before — but do you know what they are? Or how they differ from probiotics?

Prebiotics are a type of fibre that feed the “good” bacteria in your child’s gut. Think of them as fuel for those bacteria.
Probiotics, on the other hand, are the good bacteria themselves.

• Prebiotics: Food (fuel) for good bacteria
• Probiotics: The good bacteria

Makes sense? Great. But, why do they matter?

Because a healthy gut microbiome — the community of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes living in the gut — plays an important role in overall health.

When this balance is working well, it can support:

• Digestion
• Immune function, and even
• mood and mental health. 

Supporting a healthy gut doesn’t need to be complicated. A diet rich in prebiotic foods helps feed and support the beneficial bacteria that are already living in our gut. At the same time, limiting highly processed foods and those high in added sugar, salt, and saturated fats can also help maintain balance.

And in good news, prebiotics are found in many everyday foods:

• Bananas (especially slightly green ones)
• Oats
• Garlic and onion
• Apples
• Wholegrains 

Including some of these foods, and plenty of other whole foods (think: fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and dairy, etc.) will naturally support your gut microbiome, without any expensive supplements.