Try these 9 tips to include more gut-friendly probiotics in your diet.
Probiotics, these good-for-health live bacteria and yeasts, are touted as healthy and helpful for digestion. And for good reason: Science shows that probiotics are a great way to support gut health and can help with some digestive issues, including constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They may even improve immune function: A study published in June 2018 in the journal Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology found that when subjects came down with the common cold, consuming a probiotic drink significantly reduced cases of upper respiratory tract infections and cold-like symptoms. from the flu compared to those not taking probiotics.
Probiotics are found in some foods and drinks, as well as in supplement form. While eating foods that contain probiotics can help with gut health and overall nutrition, if you’re looking to alleviate digestive symptoms, you can also try taking a probiotic supplement.
A dietitian or nutritionist can help you determine if you are getting enough probiotics in your diet or if you should take a probiotic supplement. If necessary, a nutritionist can also recommend the most useful probiotic supplement for your particular digestive problems.
In the meantime, you can add more probiotics to your diet with these GP-approved tips.
1. Start your day with yogurt
To start consuming probiotics, simply top a bowl with yogurt and antioxidant-rich berries. Yogurt is cultured or fermented milk that has been acidified and thickened by the addition of live active cultures that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
2. Make yogurt a kitchen staple.
Plain yogurt containing live active cultures can also go from being a breakfast food to being a key ingredient in salad dressings and cold dressings. Just keep in mind that any recipe that calls for heating the yogurt in some way will kill off its good bacteria. So stick to no-cook recipes for the most gut benefits.
3. Expand your knowledge about sauerkraut
You can buy it or prepare it with traditional cabbage, or add other vegetables, to give much more flavor to any meal. Fermented radishes, turnips, cucumbers, okra, and green beans can make excellent seasonings fermented or added to sauerkraut. They can also be eaten as a snack or added to a salad.
4. Add kefir to your smoothies
A tangy, acidic cultured milk beverage, kefir is packed with various strains of beneficial probiotics and live cultures. Choose plain kefir if possible, as flavored varieties often contain added sugar. If you find that kefir tastes too sour on its own, she recommends adding it to a smoothie to boost the nutrients (and good bacteria).
5. Take a break from Kombucha
Kombucha is a probiotic-rich fermented drink made from tea, sugar (most of it is used during fermentation), bacteria, and yeast. It is an excellent vegan alternative to other probiotic-rich dairy products, such as kefir or yogurt. You can swap this refreshing probiotic drink for your afternoon coffee.
6 kimchi
Kimchi, a spicy Korean condiment, is packed with healthy bacteria called lactobacilli, giving it a probiotic boost. This reddish-colored fermented cabbage is traditionally served as a daily side dish in Korean meals. Kimchi is a great accompaniment to Asian dishes like rice, stir-fries, and grilled meats.
7. Try the tempeh
For a tasty alternative to meat, look for recipes that incorporate tempeh, a probiotic-rich fermented soy preparation. Tempeh is also a healthy vegan source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Thanks to its hearty texture and versatile flavor, it can be used in many dishes (like this Braised Tempeh Sandwich with Braised Red Mushrooms).
Miso soup is easy to make with hot water and miso paste, and it adds a probiotic kick to any meal. In Japan, it can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Miso is fermented soybeans that contain healthy bacteria. Just remember that high temperatures can kill probiotics, eliminating their beneficial health effect. Add the miso paste just before serving and avoid temperatures that are too high to preserve as many beneficial microorganisms as possible.
9. Don’t forget about foods rich in prebiotics
Prebiotics are indigestible compounds found in some fruits, vegetables, and other foods that promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Good food sources of prebiotics include raw apples, bananas, asparagus, beans, artichokes, garlic, onions, and leeks, as well as whole foods and soybeans.
* HealthKey strives to convey health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO EVENT can the information provided replace the opinion of a health professional.
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fermented foods probiotics