By now, most of us know how good probiotics are for our bodies. Yes, they help maintain gut health, but they also promote clear skin, boost the immune system, and can reduce anxiety and stress. While it is common to take probiotics in the form of a pill, they do exist naturally in fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, kefir, tempeh and kombucha tea. Restoring your digestive system’s function with probiotic-rich foods has never been tastier than it is now with a wealth of delicious products created just for this purpose. Here are some easy ways to work probiotics into your diet:
- Marinate in miso. Use a blend of miso paste, honey and gluten-free soy sauce to create a marinade for salmon, tilapia or tuna. Marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Make a sandwich. Layer pickles and spread fermented mustard on your favorite sandwich. While you are at it, swap in Farmhouse Culture’s kraut chips for a tangy and crunchy probiotic punch. Wildbrine’s coleslaw and salsas make great additions to sandwiches—and snacks.
- Eat kombucha. Thank you, Vegan Rob’s, for creating a way to eat (not drink) kombucha. Its new line of shelf-stable grain-free Kombuchabars come in four flavors (banana, cranberry, cacao and cranberry) that aren’t overwhelmed by the taste of kombucha.
- Make hash out of sauerkraut. Sauté onions, garlic and bacon until tender, then add in wildbrine’s raw sauerkraut and simmer. I like to add in a splash or two of apple cider vinegar to mask the bitter flavor of sauerkraut, but the onions, garlic and bacon accomplish that task nicely.
- Make a smoothie with kefir. Use kefir as a base for smoothies. Add in fruits like bananas and strawberries, and sweeten with honey.
Go ahead and try one of these ingredient swap outs for a new way of consuming gut-healing probiotics. Your taste buds won’t be disappointed—and your body will thank you.
