The present disclosure relates to nutritional compositions comprising a prebiotic component for inhibiting adherence of pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject and to the prebiotic component, which comprises galactooligosaccharide, polydextrose or any mixture thereof. The nutritional compositions of the present disclosure comprise a fat or lipid source, a protein source, and a carbohydrate source comprising an effective amount of the prebiotic component.