Eva: Hello and welcome to another episode of the Trime podcast. Today, we're focusing on children's nutrition and supplementation. We're here with our in-house Trime team—Jakub Přibyl, whom you may know from previous episodes. Hi, Jakub.
Jakub: Hi, and hello to all our listeners.
Eva: Jakub is the creator of Trime formulations and a nutrition specialist. I'm Eva Potužníková, and joining me is Renata Novotná. Hi, Renata.
Renata: Hi, everyone.
Eva: Together, Renata and I handle customer support, where we respond to a variety of questions—about supplements, nutrition, and more. We always aim to give a comprehensive answer, including insights from naturopathy, which is still not widely known here.
Renata: Yes, Eva and I study clinical naturopathy in Prague and we’re currently completing our studies. Naturopathy is a holistic approach that combines modern medicine and science with traditional natural therapies—like herbal medicine, diagnostic tools such as tongue, nail, and iris analysis. It focuses on root causes of health issues, not just symptoms, and supports the body’s natural balance. We're also both moms—Eva has a four-year-old son, and I have a seven-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter. So children’s health is something we live every day.
Eva: Jakub, you’ve worked with so many kids in your practice. What are the most common reasons parents come to you? Is it obesity, eating disorders?
Jakub: It’s very diverse. Obesity is becoming more frequent, but since I’m known for sports nutrition, I often see parents of young athletes. I’ve also worked with infant and toddler nutrition. So I’ve seen the full spectrum. And it’s great to have you both here—you bring both theory and real-life parenting experience. I think together we can explore this topic in a really meaningful way.
Eva: Based on your experience, do you see any trends or common deficiencies in kids’ diets?
Jakub: Yes, definitely. The most common issues are quite similar to what we see in adults—too much sugar and refined carbs, and not enough real, nutritious food. If the parents don't model healthy habits, it's hard for children to learn them. And collective dining in schools often makes it worse.
Renata: Are you also seeing more food allergies or intolerances—like gluten, milk, eggs?
Jakub: Absolutely. A key factor is whether the child was exclusively breastfed. Breastfed children have a more diverse gut microbiome, which lowers the risk of obesity and allergies. Statistics show that babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months have a 23% lower chance of developing overweight. But a lot can also go wrong when introducing solids—poor timing or food choices can increase eating disorders and selective eating. Kids naturally prefer sweet and soft foods, so they may reject vegetables and whole foods later. We used to see this mostly in children with autism, but now it's becoming more common across the board.
Eva: So it’s really important how we introduce foods, and how we model eating habits at home.
Jakub: Exactly. If mealtime is rushed or emotional, kids develop negative associations. Parents often don’t eat well themselves or don’t have time, so it’s no surprise kids struggle too.
Renata: And does the mother's nutrition during pregnancy play a role?
Jakub: Definitely. If the preparation is poor, it's hard to fix things post-birth when everything moves quickly. Many moms come to me panicked, unsure how to introduce solids. There’s too much conflicting information out there.
Eva: We’re also seeing more developmental issues—autism, food sensitivities, ADHD...
Jakub: Yes, and diet plays a role. Natural, whole foods can help mitigate some of these risks. Sugar and additives don’t just affect behavior but the gut and nervous system too.
Eva: What’s your take on snacking and meal frequency?
Jakub: Focus on structured main meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If those are solid, snacks aren’t a big concern. The problem is constant grazing. Many kids are full of juice and snacks all day, so they’re never hungry for real food.
Renata: And what about schools and kindergartens? That’s where it gets tricky.
Jakub: That’s a big challenge. Often, school meals aren’t great. Some kids are even rewarded with candy. That teaches them that food equals reward, which can lead to emotional eating in adulthood. Programs like “Skutečně zdravá škola” are trying to change that. Involving kids in food prep makes a huge difference.
Eva: So what should we put on a child’s plate?
Jakub: Quality protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, fiber. Many kids are constipated from low fiber. And this affects appetite and nutrient absorption.
Renata: And how much meat is enough?
Jakub: Around six portions a week. Daily meat isn’t necessary. If a child refuses meat, don’t panic—just ensure a balanced intake overall.
Eva: What about fats?
Jakub: Use olive oil, coconut oil, and ghee. Avoid refined oils. High omega-6 intake from processed oils is problematic and can’t be fixed by just adding omega-3 supplements. It’s about the overall dietary balance.
Renata: And what about supplements—should kids be taking them?
Jakub: Some nutrients are hard to get from food these days—like vitamin D, omega-3s, and K2. If a deficiency is suspected, supplementation can help. It should be thoughtful and supervised—not overwhelming.
Eva: What about “exotic” foods like avocado or coconut oil?
Jakub: In moderation, they’re fine. They’re nutritious, but less sustainable. Just be mindful of quantities. The globalized food market makes local eating harder, but we shouldn’t fear these foods—just aim for variety.
Renata: And these early habits carry into adulthood, right?
Jakub: Yes. Childhood habits shape our adult health. Nutrition even influences gene expression. We can prevent many health issues by building strong foundations early on.
Eva: Thank you for listening. If you have questions or ideas, feel free to reach out.
Jakub: This podcast is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Thanks for tuning in and take care.
