What are Probiotics? Here’s the Scoop.

Probiotics are all anyone can talk about these days and we agree that they’re vitally important! It’s tempting to immediately hit the supplement aisle, but you can get some pretty great gut health benefits from probiotic-rich foods.

what are probiotics?

Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when ingested, help to colonize your gut with health-promoting “good” bacteria. A Standard American Diet (SAD) is often devoid of naturally occurring probiotics, plus rich in sugar & processed, refined carbohydrates. Given this less than desirable mix, many people end up with an imbalance in their gut bacteria, with more “bad” or pathogenic bacteria instead of the “good” commensal bacteria.

The best way to start improving this imbalance? Do a reset like Whole30, or cut out most forms of refined/added sugar and stick to mainly veggies as your carbohydrate source for 30-60 days. This will help kill off some of those pesky pathogenic bacteria. At the same time, incorporate some probiotic-rich foods to help your population of beneficial bacteria thrive. Head here for more suggestions to improve digestion and gut health.

where can you find probiotics in food?

You can find probiotics in various foods, such as kefir, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented veggies or some yogurts (Coconut Cult for the win!). Consume 2-3 probiotic-rich foods per day, or feel free to supplement with a high-quality refrigerated or soil-based probiotic from your local health food store.

And don’t forget about prebiotics, which are dietary fibers that help feed your friendly gut bacteria. Some great examples of prebiotic-rich foods include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, flax seeds, jicama, apples, bananas and seaweed.

We want to hear from you! What’s your favorite probiotic-rich food?

Eat well, cook never with our dietitian-curated meal plans.