Probiotics have gotten a lot of attention recently, and for very good reasons! They can help ease digestive problems, improve heart health, and even ease symptoms of depression and stress by healing the gut-mind connection. Plus, they can help give you healthy, glowing skin. Here are some of our favorite probiotic-rich foods:
- Yogurt
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Miso
In the rest of this article, we’ll talk about each food in more detail, plus give suggestions for adding them to your meals. So, pull out a notebook and let’s get started!
4 Delicious Ways To Eat More Probiotics And Heal Your Gut
Yogurt
Yogurt is made from milk that was fermented with probiotics, giving it its signature tangy flavor and odor. However, the probiotics are removed from some yogurt during processing, so be sure to pick a kind that says active or live cultures on the label. You’ll also want to be mindful of the amount of added sugar that your yogurt contains.
Breakfast is a great meal to enhance with yogurt! Try making a parfait by layering yogurt, granola, berries, and fruit topped with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. You can also turn regular pancakes into a delicious, gut-healthy, protein-enhanced treat by adding a cup of fruit-flavored yogurt to your pancake mix.
Kimchi
A classic Korean side dish that is now beloved all over the world, kimchi is made from fermented cabbage soaked in red pepper sauce, ginger, garlic, scallions, and salt. It contains a specific type of lactic acid only found in kimchi that is very beneficial to gut health.
Kimchi is delicious eaten mixed into rice, added to stir fry, or as a side dish for a meal. You can also try making a quick and simple meal by combining tuna with sesame oil, mayonnaise, and soy sauce, then adding it to rice and topping it with kimchi.
Kombucha
A tangy, sometimes sweet beverage made from tea fermented with bacteria and yeast, kombucha originated in China and is now enjoyed all over the world. You can choose from carbonated or noncarbonated and an almost endless variety of fruit, herb, and tea combinations.
Kombucha is a refreshing drink at any time of the year, and it’s easy to find at most grocery stores. However, you can also make your own! All you need is tea, water, sugar, starter kombucha, and a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast).
Miso
Hailing from Japan, miso is made from fermented soybeans and is therefore a great source of both probiotics and protein. It’s fermented using a type of fungus called koji and salt, which gives it its salty, umami flavor. Although it’s often made with only soybeans, some varieties contain rice, rye, and barley, and it can also be found in white, yellow, red, and brown varieties.
One of the best ways to eat miso is miso soup! You can make it as simply or as complicated as you would like, as the base component is simply miso dissolved into hot water. To this base, you can add seawood, dashi, vegetables, tofu, or anything else.
We hope this article gave you some delicious ideas for adding more probiotic goodness to your diet!
