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We’re excited to announce that those of you in Canada can now purchase our newest product — Neocate Junior with Prebiotics. As many as 55 percent of children don’t get enough fiber and if they are on a restricted diet, it can be even more difficult!

This is why we have added prebiotic fiber to our Neocate Junior formula. Why is prebiotic fiber important? Prebiotics promote digestive health by supporting healthy bacteria in the gut and inhibiting bad bacteria. Studies have shown that prebiotics can help decrease constipation, diarrhea, gas and vomiting.

If you want to learn more about how prebiotics work and the importance of fiber in your children’s diet, be sure to check out this blog entry.

- Sarah

There has been a lot of buzz lately about the benefits of dietary fiber and the need to eat more. So, what is dietary fiber anyways? Dietary fiber is a complex carbohydrate that is not completely digested in your body. Unlike other food components such as fats, proteins or other carbohydrates that get completely broken down and absorbed in your body, dietary fiber passes relatively intact through your stomach, small intestine, colon and out of your body. So it might seem like fiber does not do much, but it has several important roles in maintaining health.

Why eat fiber? While fiber has no nutritional value, it can have a big impact on health, lowering the risk for certain cancers, lowering cholesterol and minimizing the complications of diabetes. Also, it may aid with appetite control since it expands after you eat it and is more filling. In general, good sources of fiber include many fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole wheat breads, and fiber rich cereals.

Insoluble & Soluble Fibers

Fiber can be classified into two categories: soluble and insoluble. The two categories differ because of their ability to bond with water molecules. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel substance which slows digestion. Soluble fiber (such as gums & pectin) molecules are able to pick up water as they pass through the digestive system. It is then broken down in the colon by bacterial flora. Research shows that soluble fiber lowers cholesterol and delays glucose absorption.

Insoluble fiber(such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) does not dissolve in water. It is not digestible and passes through the digestive system rapidly and intact. This helps to increase bowel movements and improves constipation. In addition to being able to bond with water, fiber molecules also bond with substances such as hormones, bile acids and potential carcinogens and help to carry them through and out of your digestive system. Because of this, fiber plays an important role that benefits you.

Most adults and children do not get enough fiber and usually take some form of supplement to meet daily fiber needs. Usually eating a variety of enriched fiber foods can help you meet the daily fiber requirements. But for some children with food allergies this can be difficult because of their limited diet.Neocate Junior with Prebiotic Fiber is a good option to help boost the fiber in their diets.

Is your family getting enough fiber in their diets? What are some of your favorite fiber-rich foods?

- Renee

You may have heard that we recently launched a new product: Neocate Junior with Prebiotics. You may wondering, “what exactly are prebiotics?” so I wanted to take the opportunity to explain in this blog post, which I’ll call “Prebiotics 101”.

Understanding Fiber:

Prebiotics are a special form of fiber but before we get into the details, let’s start with an overview of fiber in general. Dietary fiber is a carbohydrate that our bodies can’t digest. It is found in plant foods that we eat each day such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Among its many important functions, fiber adds bulk to the diet, makes us feel full, aids in digestion and prevents constipation.

There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is highly fermentable and dissolves in water, forming a gel during digestion. Insoluble fiber is not generally fermentable and does not dissolve in water, traveling through the GI system unchanged.

Soluble Fiber:

Prebiotics are a special kind of soluble fiber that is resistant to digestion and selectively feeds the “friendly bacteria” in our digestive tracts. These bacteria are beneficial to our health. By nourishing the growth of friendly bacteria, prebiotics inhibit the growth of the “bad bacteria”. Studies show that prebiotics can help:

• Promote normal bowel function
• Strengthen the protective layer of the GI tract and help restore a healthy gut
• Decrease the incidence of diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and gas

The Difference Between Prebiotics & Probiotics:

Many people are confused about the difference between prebiotics and probiotics. Probiotics are live strains of beneficial bacteria that increase the number of beneficial bacteria in our guts when we consume them. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a special type of fiber that support the growth of the beneficial bacteria already present in our guts.

It helps me to think about it with this analogy: You can increase the growth of your lawn in two ways:

1) you can plant grass seedlings, or
2) you can add fertilizer to stimulate the growth of the present grass.

If we think of the beneficial bacteria as grass, probiotics would act like seedlings and prebiotics act like the fertilizer.

Still confused about prebiotics? Ask away! That’s what we’re here for.

- Mallory

From time to time, parents of children with allergies, who use our products, ask me if I’ve ever tried the Neocate formulas. We here at Nutricia have certainly tasted them all, but tasting and consuming are two different things. After lots of questions from parents about what their little one is feeling and whether or not it’s normal, and given my indiscriminate palate, I decided it was time to really give Neocate a try.

My plan? To go on a nothing-but-Neocate diet for two days. What, exactly, would be allowed? Neocate: specifically any of the Neocate products, the flavor packets, and the flavors straws. What wasn’t allowed? Anything else. Well, almost anything else. I decided I would still be allowed tea (lack of caffeine could be a real problem!). I also decided that, given my usually high fiber intake, I would also be allowed to supplement my Neocate diet with fiber. I found an inulin fiber supplement: the same type of fiber that’s included in Neocate Junior with Prebiotics. Some folks might say this is cheating, but I took the advice that I (as a Registered Dietitian) would give anyone: to avoid a sudden and drastic change in fiber intake, up or down. 

With these rules in mind, I used my approximate calorie needs to design a “meal plan” and dove right in.

Day 1 Menu: 

• Morning Snack: Neocate Infant with DHA and ARA
• Breakfast: Neocate Infant with DHA and ARA
• Lunch: Neocate Infant with DHA and ARA + Lemon-Lime Flavor Packet
• Dessert: Neocate Nutra + Neocate Junior Chocolate (“Chocolate Pudding”)
• Afternoon Snack: E028 Splash Orange-Pineapple
• Appetizer: Neocate Junior with Prebiotics + Grapefruit Flavor Packet
• Dinner: E028 Splash Grape + Neocate Junior Chocolate (“Chocolate Covered Raisin”)
• Dessert: Neocate Junior with Prebiotics + Cookies ‘n Cream Flavor Straw

Day 1 Experience:

The day started with Neocate Infant with DHA and ARA. Does this taste like standard infant formula or milk? Nope. Because the Neocate products have amino acids instead of whole protein, Neocate Infant with DHA and ARA has a different taste and a thinner texture. To me it has a grassy undertone, which isn’t so bad, and is something most infants either don’t notice or get used to after a few days. Smaller amounts were fine, but a full 350 calories of plain Neocate Infant was a bit much, even for me: by my last “meal” of Neocate Infant at lunch I decided I could use the help of our Lemon-Lime Flavor Packet. So far, so good. I was surprised that I wasn’t ravenous as the day progressed – I had my doubts that an all-liquid diet would keep me satisfied, but it really did. I managed to go to bed without having any real cravings that day. No stomachaches and nothing out of the ordinary.

Day 2 Menu:

• Morning Snack: E028 Splash Tropical Fruit
• Breakfast: E028 Splash Orange-Pineapple + Neocate Junior + Strawberry & Banana Flavor Straws (“Fruit Salad”)
• Lunch: Neocate Junior Tropical
• Dessert: Neocate Nutra + Neocate Junior with Prebiotics + Cherry Vanilla Flavor Packet (“Chocolate-covered Cherry Pudding”)
• Snack: E028 Splash Tropical Fruit
• Appetizer: Neocate Junior with Prebiotics + Strawberry & Banana Flavor Straws
• Dinner: E028 Splash Orange-Pineapple + Strawberry Flavor Straw + Junior with Prebiotics
• Dessert: Neocate Nutra + Neocate Junior Chocolate + Strawberry Flavor Straw (“Chocolate-covered Strawberry Pudding”)

Day 2 Experience:

This day started with some definite hunger, but the morning snack took care of that. When I arrived at work I found a donut on my desk – so began the cravings for solid food. It was definitely difficult to avoid the snacks around the office that day, but I made it through. The toughest part was probably dinner time. I usually handle food preparation in our house, so having to cook dinner and not partake in enjoying it was difficult.

By the end of the day all of the different flavors began to taste pretty similar to me, probably because I tried to do too many flavor mash-ups. I will say that I definitely found the EO28 Splash an easy option. It seems silly, but it was so much nicer to grab a Splash instead of having to prepare a meal.

All things considered, the Neocate diet wasn’t nearly as difficult as I thought, and actually made life easier. I really appreciated having all of the different flavor options and the simplicity of Splash in a ready-to-go format. That said, a third day might have gotten a little routine, so I have a great deal of respect for the patients who have to stay on an elemental diet for an extended period of time, especially those children who have had “real” food, know what it tastes like, and have to give it up.

And the question many parents would like to ask: How did I feel after two days of Neocate? Pretty normal, actually. My stomach felt a bit more “active” at times, but I never felt queasy, had diarrhea or constipation, or really felt any different than I usually do. I didn’t experience any big swings in hunger or fullness, and it was nice not worrying about whether or not I was getting a balanced meal: Neocate took care of that for me. For parents of children who are going from a more typical diet to Neocate (such as those with EE who are starting an elimination diet) you may want to check with your child’s healthcare team about using Neocate Junior with Prebiotics, which has fiber to help maintain gut health. 

How about you: have you ever tried a full serving of Neocate? If so, what did you think? Feel free to share any questions you have about my experience!

- Rob

In recent years, there has been a lot of attention on gut flora, the good bacteria that live in your digestive system and play a role in proper digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function and bowel health. Research has shown that infancy and childhood are critical periods in the development of a healthy gut environment that includes this good bacteria.

Health Benefits of Probiotics:
One way to alter the gut flora is with probiotics. Remember that probiotics are live “friendly” bacteria that naturally live within the human GI tract and provide health benefits to the host. Certain foods, such as yogurt, contain probiotics and when you eat these foods, you can add more friendly bacteria to your system. Note that PRObiotics are different than PREbiotics, which are a type of fiber that feeds the friendly bacteria already living in your GI tract. Probiotics and prebiotics are sometimes used together, a mixture known as “synbiotics”.

Scientific research shows that probiotics may help reduce certain diarrheal diseases such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis (stomach viruses). In addition, probiotics have been found to lower the risk of food allergy and improve colic in infants. Many parents choose to add probiotics to their child’s diet, either with natural sources like yogurt or with supplemental probiotics.

Probiotics and Food Allergies:
Because of the role probiotics plays with allergies and digestive health, a lot of Neocate mom and dads have questions about whether probiotics might be helpful for their child with food allergies or digestive problems. This is complicated because many probiotic foods are off limits for children with food allergies. Most of the clinical studies on the health benefits of probiotics were done with the strains Lactobacillus GG, L. casei, B. bifidum and S. thermophilus, all of which are traditionally used in dairy foods.

The good news is that it is possible to find allergy-friendly sources of probiotics, such as pickles, sauerkraut and kombucha tea. Probiotic supplements may also be a good option, but use caution when choosing one to be sure it is safe for your child’s food allergies.  Ask your child’s doctor or nutritionist about whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate and see if they can recommend an allergy-friendly brand.  If they don’t know of a particular brand, do your research, check labels, call the manufacturers and then discuss what you find with the doctor to decide upon the most appropriate one.

Readers, do your children with food allergies take a probiotic supplement? Have you found an allergy-friendly kind? Has it been helpful for your child?

- Mallory

Photo source: Flickr User

We’ve written a few blogs in the past relating to fiber and prebiotics. One of them discussed what fiber is, and why it’s good for us and another touched on prebiotic fiber. In a previous blog that I wrote, I mentioned that I decided to supplement my all-Neocate diet with fiber. If you feel your child might benefit from a fiber supplement, we have some tips to help you choose the right one!


Know what your child needs

Before exploring the options, make sure to check with your child’s health care team to be sure that additional fiber is needed. As we’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, fiber can help to improve gut health. For many folks, adding fiber can mean being more “regular,” which would be a decrease in constipation, diarrhea, or both. Your child’s health care team will consider the symptoms your child has, his or her medical condition, the amount of fiber he or she is getting, and whether or not more fiber might be helpful. Nutricia already has the only amino acid-based formula with fiber (Neocate Junior with Prebiotics), which can help meet your little one’s fiber needs.


Know what’s available

Fiber comes in MANY different forms, and is found in a variety of foods. The best sources of dietary fiber are fruits, vegetables, beans (or “legumes”), nuts, and whole grains. However, many children on an elemental diet are limited in one or more of these food groups. They may be especially limited in processed foods, or foods that might include fiber but also have an allergen (such as whole grain bread, which can often have dairy or egg ingredients). Again, be sure to check with the health care team to see if the foods your child is eating meet his or her fiber needs.

While there is a lot of variety in the types of fiber in whole foods, the types of supplemental fiber tend to be an isolated single type of fiber. For instance, many fiber supplements are bran-based. They use the outer husk of a grain to provide both soluble and insoluble fiber. Since insoluble fiber tends to speed digestion along, it may not be the best choice.

Another common form of fiber supplement is an isolated fiber, either soluble or insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves easily, so it mixes well into Neocate Junior, E028 Splash, or Neocate Nutra. It can help slow movement through the gut, and can help add bulk to stool. This is the type of fiber we include in Neocate Junior with Prebiotics. Many of these isolated fiber supplements are inulin, which is derived from the root of the chicory plant, which poses low risk for most children with allergies.

Know what questions to ask

One of the best questions to ask is what the source of the fiber is. For children with a wheat allergy, a fiber source which is derived from wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oat might not be appropriate. For those, a parent should look for a “gluten-free” claim or contact the company for more information.

Some fiber supplements carry the label “non-allergenic” or “hypoallergenic.” It’s always best to contact the company and ask them exactly what they mean with these terms. Also be sure to ask what the source of the fiber is and whether or not the product poses any risks for your little one’s specific allergies or sensitivities.

If your child’s health care team recommends supplementing fiber, make sure to ask how much to add and how to start using it. It’s best to introduce more fiber to the diet slowly and increase it gradually instead of adding the full dose all at once. This gives the body time to adjust to the change. Fiber should also be spread out throughout the day.

Do you have questions about choosing the right fiber supplement?  Let us know in the “Comments” section below.

- Rob

[Image Source – D Sharon Pruitt]