Probiotics are microscopic organisms that keep our gut healthy by stimulating natural enzymes and digestive juices, Even if you follow a healthy, well-balanced diet, you can still benefit from probiotics. But which are the foods that should make it to your grocery list?
1 Dark Chocolate
Arguably the yummiest of all the probiotic foods, dark chocolate often contains a large amount of high-quality probiotic content, sometimes as much as four times more than other forms of dairy. The beneficial probiotic properties of dark chocolate will make you feel less guilty for indulging every now and then!
Frequently asked questions
2 Pickles
It might be something of a surprise to discover, but the classic green pickle is actually a fantastic source of healthy probiotics in food. Pickles can be a way of getting actively involved in your own health regime by making a jar of your very own pickles, delicious and rich in probiotic properties.
3 Kombucha
A slightly more exotic example of probiotic food, kombucha is a variety of tea that is fermented and has a great reputation for containing considerably high levels of healthy and beneficial gut bacteria. As well as its incredibly effective probiotic reputation, kombucha tea is also known to be a wonderful energy booster and aid to weight loss.
4 Sauerkraut
A classic dish and culinary symbol of Germany, sauerkraut is made from cabbage that has been fermented and contains a large amount of healthy and beneficial live bacteria that work to keep your gut healthy. Sauerkraut has also been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of a number of different allergies and contains vitamins A, E, B and C.
5 Kimchi
Kimchi is a form of pickled cabbage that originates from Asia, particularly Korea, and has a wonderful and tasty sour and spicy flavor. As well as being a great source of probiotics, kimchi is a good source of beta-carotene, iron, calcium and a plethora of different vitamins. If you like your food healthy but also with a great spicy kick, kimchi is the option for you!
6 Microalgae
It might sound scary and scientific, but microalgae is just the broad term that is used to describe all sea-based plants like spirulina and chorella that have probiotic properties that increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. Microalgae are also a great source of energy for the human body.
7 Tempeh
Tempeh is extremely popular in the vegetarian world and is a great substitute for meat and those who do not like or want tofu. It is made from the fermented grains of soybeans and has a very high probiotic count. Tempeh can be sautéed, baked or used in many different kinds of salads, and its extremely low salt count makes it a doubly ideal choice for a healthy diet.
8 Yogurt
An oldie but a goody, yoghurt is probably the quintessential probiotic food, particularly more modern brands and varieties that strive for even further health perfection. Goat’s milk yoghurt in particular often tends to have had extra probiotic forms introduced in to it including the much needed lactobacillus and acidophilus.
9 Miso Soup
A traditional Japanese staple and something that has become increasingly popular in the West in recent years, miso soup is a fantastic and delicious regulator of the digestive system. Made from beans, rice, barley or fermented rye, when hot water is added to miso powder the result is a wonderful broth rich in probiotic bacteria.
Are you ready to increase your healthy gut bacteria count? If you can, buy organic forms as they are even better for you.
