Don’t Forget Your Probiotics

Bacteria gets a bad rap. Yes, there is bacteria that can be awful, make you sick, and should be avoided like the plague. However, not all bacteria are harmful. In fact, some bacteria are actually very helpful, and should be incorporated into your diet more often.

Probiotics, as you may already know, are an example of helpful bacteria. Probiotics help maintain the natural balance of organisms in our intestines, keeping bad bacteria at bay and our digestive systems working well.

Since probiotics are such a beneficial additive, we should be extra mindful of making sure that we are ingesting enough of them. So where do we find probitoics? Of course, you can take a probiotic supplement pill, but if you’re anything like me, you love the good old natural stuff.

Yogurt and kefir are the most common go-to, natural sources of probiotics. However, if you’re sick of your usual yogurt intake, there are other sources to receive your daily intake of probiotics.

Miso Soup: Next time you’re out to sushi and your waiter asks if you want to start with a serving of miso soup, say yes. Not only is the soup light, low in calories, high in B vitamins and antioxidants, it also contains more than 160 good-for0you bacteria strains (probiotics) thanks to it’s copious amounts of fermented soybeans.

KeVita: KeVita is an organic; low-calorie sparkling drink filled with probiotics derives from kefir cultures. There’s a huge range of flavors to make the taste of this product delicious and crave worthy. Lactose-intolerant ladies will also be pleased to know that these drinks are also dairy-free.

Sour Pickles: Certain kinds of pickles are naturally fermented with sea salt and water, not vinegar, which helps foster the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Soft Cheeses: Who doesn’t love cheese? The lactobacillus bacteria strains found in some fermented soft cheeses, such as Gouda, are strong enough to travel through your GI tract, while cheese itself can act as a carrier for probitoics.

Don’t you love when you’re encouraged to eat?

Ally Batista | Elite.

Twitter: @allybatista

Photo Credit: Getty Images