The present disclosure a method and nutritional composition for improving the microbiome and metabolic profile of a pediatric subject which includes administering to a pediatric subject a composition having up to about 7 g/100 kCal of a protein or protein equivalent source up to about 7 g/100 kCal of a fat or lipid source at least about 5 g/100 kCal of a carbohydrate at least about 0.05 mg/100 kCal of bacterial metabolites and either a probiotic or a prebiotic composition or both.
