Gut health is the cornerstone of overall wellness for your entire family—including your baby, toddler, and even your dog. Using natural spices and herbs daily can help balance the gut microbiome, combat harmful bacteria, and support immunity while adding flavor to your meals.

This blog dives deep into how bad bacteria find their way into our systems, the symptoms to watch for, and how to incorporate gut-healing spices into your daily meals.

How Bad Bacteria Enter Our Systems

Bad bacteria can disrupt our gut microbiome through everyday exposures, such as:

• Antibiotic Use: Antibiotics wipe out good and bad bacteria, leaving the gut vulnerable to harmful strains.

• Food Contamination: Undercooked meat, unwashed produce, and processed foods often carry harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella.

• Environmental Toxins: Exposure to pesticides, pollutants, and chemicals can impact microbiome balance.

• Poor Diet Choices: Diets high in sugar, processed foods, and starches feed harmful bacteria, allowing them to thrive.

• Illness or Travel: Stress from illness, foreign bacteria from travel, or exposure to new environments can disrupt gut balance.

Symptoms That Signal You Need Gut-Healing Spices

These signs indicate your family may benefit from daily gut-supportive spices:

• Digestive Issues: Gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation (like Stella’s recent challenges).

• Frequent Illness: Compromised immunity or recurrent colds and infections.

• Skin Problems: Eczema, rashes, or acne can indicate imbalances in the gut.

• Food Sensitivities: Trouble digesting certain foods or sudden reactions to familiar ones.

• Mood Swings or Fatigue: An unbalanced gut can affect the gut-brain connection, leading to brain fog, anxiety, or low energy.

Curious about your own or your baby’s gut health? Check out Tiny Health! Their gut microbiome test gave me incredible insights into Stella’s digestive health (learn more below). Use my $40 off link with code REF-BIANCA0755 here to get started on your gut health journey.

The Healing Power of Spices

Incorporating these powerful herbs and spices into your family’s meals can help restore gut balance naturally:

• Cardamom: Fights bad bacteria, supports digestion, and reduces gas or bloating.

• Cinnamon: A natural antibacterial with powerful antioxidants to reduce inflammation and support immunity.

• Clove: Helps fight yeast overgrowth and harmful bacteria like Candida while supporting oral and digestive health.

• Cumin: Stimulates digestion, supports nutrient absorption, and prevents bacterial overgrowth.

• Garlic: Targets harmful bacteria while sparing beneficial ones; fights gut infections effectively.

• Ginger: Soothes the gut, reduces inflammation, and supports immunity by targeting pathogens.

• Oregano: Combats gut pathogens with antibacterial and antiviral properties.

• Thyme: Supports digestion, immunity, and respiratory health by fighting bad bacteria.

• Sage: Calms gut inflammation and promotes microbial balance.

• Peppermint: Eases bloating and improves digestion while acting as a gentle antibacterial.

Spice Combinations for Meals

For Sweet Dishes:

• Cinnamon + Cardamom: Perfect for fruit-based dishes, purees, or oatmeal.

• Ginger + Nutmeg: Great for baked goods or smoothies.

For Savory Dishes:

• Garlic + Thyme: A classic combo for soups or roasted vegetables.

• Cumin + Oregano: Ideal for roasted sweet potatoes or meats.

For Drinks:

• Cinnamon + Ginger: Warming and immune-boosting, ideal for teas or golden milk.

• Peppermint + Sage: Refreshing and soothing for digestive teas.

Serving Sizes for Different Age Groups (Including Dogs)

Infants (6-12 Months)

• Serving Size: A small pinch of powdered spice (1/8 tsp or less).

• How to Use: Mix into purees, soups, or sprinkle on soft vegetables like carrots or squash.

Toddlers (1-3 Years)

• Serving Size: 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon.

• How to Use: Add to oatmeal, yogurt, or savory dishes with meats and veggies.

Older Children (4+ Years)

• Serving Size: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon.

• How to Use: Incorporate into baked goods, smoothies, or roasted veggies.

Adults

• Serving Size: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per meal.

• How to Use: Add to teas, marinades, salad dressings, or soups.

Dogs

• Serving Size:

  • Small dogs: A tiny pinch (1/8 tsp) mixed into food.

  • Medium dogs: 1/4 teaspoon.

  • Large dogs: 1/2 teaspoon.

• How to Use: Mix spices like turmeric or cinnamon into wet food, or sprinkle on kibble with a splash of bone broth.

Daily Ideas for Incorporating Spices

1. Soups and Stews

• Add ginger, garlic, or thyme to broth-based soups for a gut-healing boost.

• For toddlers and infants, blend soups to create a smooth texture.

• Toss in a pinch of oregano or sage for added antimicrobial benefits.

2. Smoothies and Drinks

• Blend cinnamon and ginger into smoothies with yogurt or kefir.

• Add a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint to warm milk or dairy-free alternatives.

• Stir peppermint or sage into warm teas for soothing digestive support.

3. Roasted Veggies or Proteins

• Toss carrots, sweet potatoes, or chicken with olive oil, cumin, and oregano before roasting.

• Use garlic and thyme as a seasoning for baked fish or turkey.

• Sprinkle cinnamon over roasted butternut squash for a sweet, immune-boosting side dish.

• Sprinkle thyme and cumin over roasted veggies or chicken.

4. Baby-Friendly Purees

• Mix cardamom into fruit purees like apples or pears for a gentle spice.

• Add a pinch of sage or thyme to savory purees with carrots or squash.

• Blend cooked carrots, sweet potatoes, or squash with a pinch of sage or ginger.

• Blend clove or cinnamon into warm broth for gentle spice exposure.

5. Dog-Friendly Additions

• Stir a small pinch of turmeric or oregano into bone broth and pour over your dog’s food.

• Mix cinnamon with a dollop of plain yogurt for a healthy treat.

• Add garlic (in small amounts) as a natural antimicrobial.

How to Introduce Spices to Picky Eaters

1. Start Small and Build:

• Begin with mild spices like cinnamon or cardamom in small amounts.

• Gradually introduce stronger spices like ginger or garlic over time.

2. Pair with Familiar Foods:

• Add cinnamon to oatmeal or applesauce.

• Stir ginger into a familiar broth-based soup.

3. Keep it Fun:

• Create spice “taste tests” to let your kids explore different flavors.

• Use spices in colorful dips, purees, or fun shapes like veggie fries.

Recipes to Try

Tips for Sourcing Spices

To maximize the benefits of these healing spices, prioritize quality:

1. Organic and Non-Irradiated: Organic ensures the spices are free of pesticides, while non-irradiated spices retain their full nutrient profiles.

2. Fresh is Best: Whole spices (e.g., cinnamon sticks, whole cloves) are fresher and more potent than pre-ground options.

3. Local or Reputable Brands: Choose trusted sources like local health stores or reputable online retailers.

Storage and Meal Prep Ideas

• Pre-Mix Spice Blends: Combine your favorite spices (e.g., cinnamon-cardamom or garlic-thyme) for easy meal prep.

• Store Properly: Keep spices in airtight containers in a cool, dark place to preserve potency.

• Batch Cook: Make soups or purees in large quantities and freeze in baby-friendly portions.

What Showed Up In Our Most Recent 12-Month Old Tiny Health Test + Why We’re Incorporating More Spices

Understanding Antibiotic Resistance and Opportunistic Pathogens

What is Antibiotic Resistance Signature?

Antibiotic resistance occurs when harmful bacteria adapt to survive antibiotic treatments. Over time, these bacteria become stronger and harder to eliminate, leading to imbalances in the gut microbiome. This can occur due to:

• Overuse of antibiotics.

• Exposure to antibiotics in food (like conventionally raised meat).

• A weakened gut microbiome that allows harmful bacteria to thrive.

Opportunistic Pathogens to Watch For

Opportunistic pathogens like Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are bacteria that can cause gut inflammation, infections, and systemic issues when the microbiome is out of balance. These pathogens often flourish when the gut lacks beneficial bacteria to keep them in check.

Symptoms may include:

• Constipation or diarrhea.

• Gas, bloating, or abdominal discomfort.

• Recurrent infections or slow healing.

• Skin issues like eczema.

Healing the gut with targeted spices, nutrient-dense foods, and lifestyle changes can help combat these issues.

The Role of Gut Health in the First 1,000 Days: Supporting Your Child’s Future Wellness

Gut health during the first 1,000 days of life—from conception to age two—is pivotal for setting the foundation for lifelong health. The gut microbiome plays a central role in digestion, immunity, and even brain development. A disrupted gut during this period can lead to long-term health challenges like autoimmune conditions, allergies, and chronic inflammation.

Recent results from my daughter Stella’s Tiny Health gut test ($40 off link with code REF-BIANCA0755 here) revealed some opportunistic pathogens, including Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Clostridioides difficile, and more. While concerning, these results provide an opportunity to take proactive steps to heal her gut and prevent potential future health problems.

How Pathogens Enter a Breastfeeding 12-Month-Old’s System

Despite our best efforts, babies are exposed to harmful bacteria through various means, including:

1. Food and Drinks

• Contaminated Food: Even fresh fruits and vegetables can carry bacteria like Escherichia coli if not thoroughly washed.

• Improperly Cooked Proteins: Undercooked meat, eggs, or fish can introduce pathogens like Salmonella enterica.

• Shared Utensils or Foods: Sharing bites with caregivers or siblings can introduce oral bacteria like Staphylococcus.

2. Environmental Exposure

• Dirty Surfaces: Babies love to explore and put objects in their mouths. Contaminated surfaces can introduce bacteria like Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus.

• Pets: Contact with pet bowls or unclean paws can transmit Escherichia flexneri or Clostridium difficile.

3. Antibiotic Use

• Antibiotics disrupt the microbiome, killing off beneficial bacteria and creating opportunities for pathogens like Enterococcus faecium to overgrow.

4. Breastfeeding Transmission

• Breast Milk Imbalance: While breastfeeding provides beneficial bacteria, an imbalanced maternal microbiome can pass opportunistic strains to the baby.

• Skin Contact: Pathogens like Staphylococcus can transfer from the mother’s skin to the baby during nursing.

Why Gut Testing in the First 1,000 Days is Essential

Gut testing, like the Tiny Health test we used for Stella, provides critical insights into the microbiome’s balance during this foundational period. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Early Detection of Imbalances

Testing can reveal the presence of opportunistic pathogens or beneficial bacteria deficiencies before symptoms escalate.

2. Preventative Health

A disrupted gut microbiome during the first 1,000 days can lead to long-term health issues such as:

• Allergies and asthma.

• Autoimmune diseases.

• Food intolerances or sensitivities.

• Chronic digestive issues.

3. Custom Interventions

Testing allows parents to tailor interventions like probiotics, diet changes, or natural remedies to support healing.

Proactive Steps for Prevention and Gut Healing

1. Gut-Healing Foods

Incorporate these foods to strengthen the microbiome:

• Meat Stock: Rich in collagen and gelatin to seal the gut lining.

• Fermented Foods: Introduce small amounts of 24-hour yogurt or sauerkraut brine to populate good bacteria.

• Healthy Fats: Coconut oil, ghee, and butter provide energy and support gut healing.

• Low-Starch Vegetables: Avoid feeding bad bacteria by focusing on greens like spinach and zucchini.

2. Antimicrobial and Gut-Supporting Spices

Introduce these spices to combat pathogens naturally:

• Garlic: Fights E. coli and Salmonella.

• Oregano: Targets opportunistic bacteria like Clostridium.

• Ginger: Soothes inflammation and reduces bad bacteria.

• Cinnamon: Antimicrobial and supports a balanced microbiome.

Addressing gut health in the first 1,000 days is one of the most impactful ways to support your child’s long-term wellness. Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridioides difficile may seem daunting, but with gut testing, targeted foods, and natural remedies, you can proactively support healing and prevent future health challenges.

✨ Curious about your baby’s gut health? Here is my $40 off link with code REF-BIANCA0755 - looking forward to sharing more about our results with you and future testing to ensure my baby’s health.