A lot of the foods we eat have complex fibers that our body can not digest on it’s own. (prebiotics)
Probiotics are tiny living microbes, bacteria, and yeast that live in our gut and are there to help support our body by aiding the digestive process. They eat prebiotics and help turn the food into energy that our body either stores or uses that our body couldn’t breakdown alone.
Without a healthy influx of probiotics our body would store a lot of what we eat into fat cells which we know what that looks like. Exactly.
Prebiotics and Probiotics are vital at working together to help maintain a healthy gut flora that supports not only our digestive system but our Immune and Nervous System. OUR ENTIRE BEING. There is a direct connection between our Gut and our Central Nervous System. For awhile now Scientist have coined the term, “second brain” for our gut. It really can control us through cravings. Are you really craving that burger or is it your microbes? Studies have shown that the condition of our gut can have a direct impact on our mood and behavior.
Stressed Gut and Depressed Gut is REAL! There’s no coincidence when you are depressed you may either not want to eat which is depriving your body of necessary nutrients for energy OR you may crave sugary foods for comfort. Or if you are anxious or stressed you may experience cramps, indigestion and heartburn.
All of these things are attributed to the colony of microorganisms that live in your stomach. Called the microbiome.
If you get chronic yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and things of that nature chances are you are eating a diet that lacks probiotics and prebiotics due to the influx of bad bacteria that is thriving in you. Candida overgrowth is a real thing and causes a boatload of inflammatory issues throughout our systems.
Fellas hey you too! Men can get yeast infections too! It’s called balanitis which is a yeast infection of the head of a man’s genitalia.
Having a diet that is supportive to GOOD bacteria in our biome is so important. It’ll not only have you feeling better, have more energy, but will also have you looking better too.
Benefits of Probiotics range from and are not limited to the following areas:
- Clear Skin
- Mood Enhancement
- Immunity
- Weightloss
- Heart Health
And so much more!
Foods that have probiotics:
- Yogurt – Yogurt is made from milk that has been fermented by probiotics, mainly lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. Make sure however when you are purchasing your yogurt that it doesn’t have a lot of high amounts of added sugars. One of my favorite brands is “Friendly Farms” which you can get at Aldi’s. It’s lowcost, low in sugar, and delicious. They have a really good line of Greek yogurt too.
- Sauerkraut – I LOVE SAUERKRAUT! I eat a tablespoon of sauerkraut every day! Saurkraut is shredded cabbage that has been fermented with lactic acid bacteria. Lactic Acid keeps the production of yeast in control throughout your body. We need some yeast just not a lot of it. Make sure you’re getting the unpasteurized sauerkraut.
I love Hamptons brand of classic raw sauerkraut.
- Miso – hungry lol I had to Miso is really good. I like to add it to eggs.
- Kombucha – Is sooooo good for your gut!
- My favorite Buttermilk with cornbread. One of my favorite snacks that my Mother Dear and I would KILL. Has to be either yellow cornbread or hot water cornbread not that jiffy ish. OK
There are other foods that have probiotics, even pickles but they tend to be high in sodium so I don’t eat them as often as I used to since I’m getting up there.
These 5 are my top 5’s for naturally getting probiotics.
Now there are pills and supplements that you can take but you have to be cautious taking those because the use a lot of binders that our bodies or bacteria can’t break down. I love using Isotonix which I will be selling soon. It’s delicious and comes in powder form.