The Fermented Foods for your gut health
Yogurt
Yogurt is fermented milk. However, it comes in various forms, with some being more beneficial than others. If you like dairy yogurt, I would suggest goat or sheep milk yogurt that is 100% organic and made from the milk of grass-fed animals. If you are dairy-free, you can purchase soy, almond, cashew, or coconut milk yogurt in most markets. Yogurt is often high in added sugar and as crazy as it sounds, not all yogurt on the market has live and active cultures – so read labels.
Kefir
Donna Gates, the queen of ferments, says kefir is a superfood. Kefir is a dairy beverage made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It has its origins in Russia, where it has been consumed for thousands of years. Kefir is easier to digest than milk because it’s predigested. The fermentation process breaks down much of the protein and lactose, making kefir easier to absorb and digest. These days you can also find non-dairy kefir in some specialty markets.
Some of the benefits includes:
Pickles
Not all pickles are created equal. Pickles that are made with cucumbers in vinegar are not naturally fermented. Fermented pickles are made using cucumbers and brine, which is a salt and water mix. These are the pickles you need if you are looking to benefit from their probiotic content.
Some of the benefits includes:
Kimchi
Kimchi is a popular Korean delicacy that is spicy, pickled cabbage. However, this is not the only way to prepare it, and other vegetables and seasonings can be used. It is usually added to foods like rice bowls to give them more flavor. However, kimchi is good with many dishes – including scrambled eggs!
Sauerkraut
The Chinese invented sauerkraut over 2000 years ago. They were the first people to ferment cabbage in rice wine. Since then, it has become a popular dish in Germany, France, Russia, and Italy. When buying sauerkraut from stores, go for the ones stored in glass jars that say they are fermented on the label. Traditional sauerkraut is truly fermented and will need to be refrigerated. Canned and processed sauerkraut may or may not be fermented.
Some of the benefits includes:
Beet Kavas
Beet kvass is a probiotic drink made by culturing beets in brine for 3-7 days. Beet kvass is valued for its medicinal benefits and as a digestive aid. Beets are bursting with nutrients. A small glass, morning and night, is considered an excellent blood cleanser, relieves constipation, aids digestion, alkalizes the body, and cleanses the liver.
Tempeh
Tempeh is by far the most popular fermented food in Indonesia, where it originated. It is made by combining soybeans with a mix of live mold called the tempeh starter. When this combination is left to sit for a couple of days, it becomes thick and dense, almost like a moist cake. It looks like tofu but grainier. Tempeh often has grains in it, so if you are grain or gluten-free, read labels.
Some of the benefits includes:
Miso
Miso is a traditional Japanese ingredient used to make various recipes, such as the delicious miso soup. It is made by mixing barley, brown rice, and soybeans, then fermenting them with a type of fungus called koji. Today, it is trendy in vegetarian and vegan circles. Be sure to purchase organic and ‘fermented’ as there are many cheap substitutes out there.
Sourdough Bread
Real sourdough bread is easier for many to digest than regular bread because it’s made with a probiotic starter. However, sourdough is not a rich source of probiotics. Still, the fermentation process makes the proteins more available for absorption, easing digestion. Plus, sourdough has far less gluten than regular bread. However, sourdough is not gluten-free.
Some of the benefits includes:
Kombucha
Kombucha is a kind of fermented drink that is made using black tea mixed with natural sugars like cane sugar, fruit sugars, or honey. It has a rich bacteria colony and yeast, which when combined with the sugar initiates fermentation. Because of this fermentation process, kombucha also has trace levels of alcohol in it. However, it is too little to be noticeable which means it cannot cause intoxication. Try this fizzy drink instead of soda.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has low levels of probiotics. However, it makes up for this by containing essential acids like acetic acid that support the function of probiotics. When you add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a drink once or twice a day and consume fermented foods with it, you will see a massive boost in your probiotic levels.
Raw Cheese
Raw cheese is made from unpasteurized milk. Cow milk, goat milk, or sheep's milk can be used. The best raw cheese is the kind that has been aged for at least six months. This makes it extremely high in probiotics. While I suggest you eat cheese in moderation if you are going to eat cheese, choose raw!