Fermented foods have undergone a process in which the sugars they contain are broken down by yeast or bacteria. Fermented foods are packed with probiotics and may therefore improve your gut health.
Here’s 5 fermented foods to add to your shopping list:
Yogurt - Yogurt is a great sources of probiotics. It is made from milk that has been fermented by friendly bacteria, mainly lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. Plant-based yogurts, such as coconut yogurt, also contain added friendly bacteria. Unfortunately, not all yogurt contains live probiotics because they have been killed during processing. Therefore, look for yogurt with active or live cultures.
Kimchi - Kimchi is a fermented, spicy Korean side dish usually with cabbage as main ingredient, but it can also be made from other vegetables. Kimchi contains the lactic acid bacteria lactobacillus kimchi and is also high in vitamin K, vitamin B2 and iron.
Sauerkraut - Sauerkraut is finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria. It is a traditional and old food very popular particularly in Europe. In addition to its probiotic qualities, sauerkraut is rich in fiber, the minerals iron and manganese and the vitamins C, B and K. Make sure to choose unpasteurized sauerkraut, because pasteurization kills the live and active bacteria.
Kefit - Kefir is a fermented probiotic milk drink. It is made by adding kefir grains to milk from cows or goats. Kefir grains are cultures of lactic acid bacteria and yeast that look a bit like a cauliflower.
Tempeh - Tempeh is fermented soybean. It is normally served as a popular, high protein substitute for meat. Due to fermentation tempeh also contains vitamin B12. This makes it a great choice for vegetarians as well as anyone looking to add a nutritious probiotic to their diet.
If you want to find out more about eating a healthy balanced diet as part of your lifestyle contact us today to see how we can help. Or why not check out our selection of healthy recipes to help you lose weight and feel great.