I always recommend starting your day off with a well-balanced, healthy breakfast to help keep your digestive system on track. I like to include a breakfast with complex carbs that have a low glycemic index as well as lean protein. I typically have greek yogurt as my protein, which is a great choice in the morning because it’s packed with gut friendly probiotics. Probiotics have many health benefits that all start from your gut, such as help regulate your digestion system, boost your immune system, as well as help fight off diseases. Given their many health benefits, today’s blog post is going to focus on probiotics and how you can include them in your diet.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are known as good bacteria. They are found in a number of fermented foods, with yogurt being one of the most popular. You can also buy supplements which contain probiotics. Make sure to consult with your doctor before taking supplements.
There are different types of good bacteria that are classified as probiotics. One of the most common types is Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, often labeled as L. Bulgaricus, which you’ll find in most yogurts and other fermented foods. Some of it’s many benefits are that it draws away toxins and defeats harmful bacteria. It’s also known to reduce stomach infections and recent study suggests that Bulgaricus may help fight off diseases. Another common probiotic is Lactobacillus Acidophilus. It helps to enchance your immune system, normalize your digestive tract, and may even help improve lactose tolerance.
I’ve listed some of the best fermented products containing probiotics:
1. Live-cultured Yogurt – Most yogurts contain live cultures but to be sure, check their ingredients list for probiotics like L. Bulgaricus and L. Acidophilus. Choose yogurts that do not contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, which are highly processed ingredients that can disrupt digestion. I typically eat FAGE Total 0% plain Greek yogurt and add fresh fruit to it.
2. Kefir – A fermented dairy product (such as goat, cow or sheep milk) that is drinkable and is jam-packed with probiotics.
3. Kombucha Tea – This is my personal favorite to consume and a great probiotic for my vegan friends. Kombucha Tea is a form of fermented tea that contains lots of healthy bacteria for your gut. Try GT’s Kombucha which is all organic. It also is a great alternative to coffee as it has caffeine in it. Other good vegan choices that contain probiotics are tempeh, sauerkraut, and miso.
I choose to incorporate probiotics in my diet in the morning when I know my digestive system is at its best after a good night’s sleep. Also, when taking any sort of antibiotic, you may want to consider probiotics since antibiotics are known to kill good bacteria as well as bad.
What are some gut friendly foods/drinks that you choose to incorporate in your diet?
