That sour taste which many people may find unfamiliar should not be equated with unhealthy or expired. In fact, including fermented foods in your diet a few times a week or more could be beneficial for your health.
Fermented foods include:
- Miso. A paste made of fermented soy beans, it forms the base of soups or glazes.
- Sauerkraut. This familiar condiment is made of finely shredded fermented cabbage.
- Sourdough bread. Real sourdough bread is made with milk and other foods that have been allowed to ferment before making the bread dough.
- Kefir. A fermented drink made from milk.
- Yogurt. Yogurt includes live bacteria called probiotics.
- Kimchi. A traditional Korean dish made from pickled vegetables like cabbage or radish.
- Buttermilk. Buttermilk also includes probiotics.
- Natto. These fermented soybeans are a traditional Japanese breakfast dish.
- Poi. A fermented paste made from taro root.
- Tempeh. A cake made of fermented soybeans.
- Kombucha. A fermented tea.
Another way to keep your gut flora filled with the friendly bacteria that your digestive system needs to stay healthy, while boosting your immunity is to invest in a high-quality probiotic. I love New Chapter's line of probiotics (you'll find them in the refrigerated section of the health food store, or even a Vitamin Shoppe), or contact me to purchase high-quality Metagenics probiotics that will work best for you.
Keep it Fresh!
- Lauren