Eating healthy is an essential means of keeping your body strong and vital. Not everyone has the ability to stay on the path of eating good wholesome food because of the convenience of a quick snack that may be filled with preservatives and sugars. Most people are always on the run and on their way to somewhere else in a hurry with no time to sit for a good meal. With all the bad things that we consume, there is some good in some of it. It is called good bacteria or probiotics, and they have the power to help your digestion and keep your body running like a race horse. Most people know that yogurt is a popular form of good bacteria for the body, but do you know of any others? Here are 3 probiotic foods that aren’t yogurt.
Miso
This is one of my favorites and one that I started eating after I completely changed my diet. I kicked out most of my starchy foods and meats, and miso became a staple in my home. A Japanese popular seasoning paste derived from fermented soybeans, it is famously used in soups, and other dishes with vegetables and rice. You can create your own special recipe to fit your taste buds. Fermented soybeans are thought to be protection against cancer.
Pickles
Not one of my favorite things to eat, but if you eat the kind that has not been fermented in white vinegar, you will receive a major health benefit. Look for those that have been fermented in brine with labels that read: naturally fermented, unpasteurized, or contains live cultures. You don’t want anything that has been heated or cooked. This could also include pickled beets, green beans, and cauliflower. You can easily find these items in a health food store or places such as Whole Foods. Eating these probiotics on a regular basis can help you keep the flu bug at bay.
Kimchi
It turns out that kimchi ranks high as a probiotic because of its long fermentation and ingredients. It is made of garlic, chilies, cabbage, ginger, a variety of seasonings, and fish sauce. This Korean delicacy is also said to include bugs and the smell is pretty strong. Honestly I have never had the pleasure of tasting this for myself, but I have a feeling that if the Korean people can survive on it, so can we.
There are many other probiotics out there that you can try such as Kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha. Some you can grow in your own back yard, and some that you can find in most health food stores. I know I have seen kefir next to the yogurt in natural food stores. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
