We’ve solved the problem of children’s nutrition with 2 simple words: Belly Bugs.

Known to scientists as gut microbes, these micro-organisms play a crucial role in our health and well-being. At Belly Bugs HQ, we translate the latest research on the gut microbiome into a fun, fascinating story for children. When they discover that they have a gang of little helpers living inside them for real, keeping them healthy and happy, children are captivated. They instantly want to look after their Belly Bugs and feed them the fruit and vegetables they need to do their jobs.

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“They all came in and ordered salad straight away!”

Primary School Cook

Sunderland City Council Belly Bug Pilot 2023/24
Meet the Belly Bugs!

Slide We’ve created a gang of 8 Belly Bugs (plus Borborygmus, their leader) who loosely mimic the role of our gut microbes.
For our story, they live in an enchanting world called Rumbledom (the gut), inside an 8-yr-old girl called Billie Pickle. We’ve created a gang of 8 Belly Bugs (plus Borborygmus, their leader) who loosely mimic the role of our gut microbes.

For our story, they live in an enchanting world called Rumbledom (the gut), inside an 8-yr-old girl called Billie Pickle. Borborygmus Billie Pickle

Slide The Belly Bugs use the fruit and vegetables we eat to do their jobs, for example creating tools, buildings and vehicles. Geeky
 Cooly Chompy Bashy
Goody
 Happy Flicky Chewy Children observe the Belly Bugs’ daily life in Rumbledom – going on adventures, tackling challenges and keeping us healthy and happy. They are then highly motivated to feed their own Belly Bugs accordingly. Pearship Bellycopter Fab Lab Super Duper Pepper Scooper Bouncy Buggy

Slide Ultras Not everything is rosy, however. Rumbledom is increasingly coming under attack from Baddies such as Sugar Monsters, Junk Punks and Ultras, a result of children drinking too many sugary drinks and eating too much ultra-processed food. (in candy & sugary drinks) Beware of the Baddies! Junk Punks (in food made in factories) (in takeaways) Sugar Monsters
Buy our picture book!

Slide TAKE A PEEK INSIDE
 Slide SEE
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 Slide BUY OUR BOOK Imagine finding you have little helpers living inside you for real 24/7, whose job it is to keep you healthy and happy. That’s what happens to Billie Pickle when she meets her very own Belly Bugs in a dream.
Captivated by their madcap adventures in her gut, Billie discovers how important it is to feed her gang colourful fruit and vegetables so that they can do their jobs. Open your children's eyes to the magic of their gut microbiome and watch them change their eating habits straightaway.
Scientists agree a healthy gut microbiome is key to our health and well-being, influencing obesity, diabetes, immunity and moods.
Watch as your children make the correct food choices.

Say goodbye to mealtime strops, tantrums and stand-offs. Simply introduce your children to their Belly Bugs and watch a transformation take place. You see, there’s a new game in town – and one that you can win from the sidelines. 

For your child, the focus will switch from what you want them to eat to what they work out their Belly Bugs need and why they need it. 

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Proof of the pudding.

A recent primary-school pilot conducted by Sunderland City Council showed real behavioural change when children were introduced to their Belly Bugs.

Not only did children bond with their Belly Bugs, they marched into the dinner hall demanding fruit and vegetables so that they could help their little helpers. This is the empowering gamechanger that has so far been missing in solving unhealthy eating in childhood.

SEE THE RESULTS
Good health begins in the gut.

We’re now discovering that the community of gut microbes living inside every human being plays a huge part in our health and well-being. The latest science shows that the more diverse and abundant our gut microbes, the healthier the human.

Together these microbes orchestrate the immune system, influence how the brain works and grows and affect our personality and feelings.

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Follow the Belly Bug Road.

We’re taking children on a mapped out journey from 0-11 yrs old where they develop a deep connection to their Belly Bugs, learning the crucial role these little helpers play in their lives. We call this journey, ‘Follow the Belly Bug Road.’

We’re building resources that tell the Belly Bugs story at every stage of a child’s development at home and at school.

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Follow us on Instagram @bellybugsofficial
About us.
Who we are.

We’re an EDUTAINMENT COMPANY that translates the latest science on gut health into a fascinating world that inspires children to nurture a healthy gut microbiome for their lifelong physical and mental well-being.

The challenge we’ve solved.

Children today are the victims of unhealthy diets, particularly a surfeit of sugar and ultra-processed foods. Understanding the role their Belly Bugs play will greatly improve children’s immunity, anxiety and mental health and reduce obesity and diabetes, laying the foundations for a much healthier adulthood.

What makes us so different.

Our solution works. Children are captivated to discover that they have Belly Bugs in their gut. They instantly want to feed them fruit & vegetables and look after them like a pet.

Adults learn that this is the key to giving their children the best start in life, with the bonus of happier mealtimes every day. Consumption of ultra-processed foods will drop dramatically.

Spreading the word.

Our engaging little characters work in books, film, toys, computer games, food products and general merchandise. They are central to our free primary school programme that educates and fascinates children and teachers alike. 

MEET THE TEAM