Probiotics and Prebiotics – What are they and why do YOU need them?

Probiotics is the term most people are familiar with. Probiotics are live bacteria found in foods like yogurt and kefir.

Prebiotics are the foods that nurture probiotics. Prebiotics are found in vegetables, fruit, and legumes.  Examples include beans, peas, and legumes (lentils, chickpeas, lima beans, peanuts.)

The food you consume plays an important role in the balance of good and bad gut bacteria. Probiotics deposit good bacteria in your gut, which helps protect you from harmful bacteria and fungi. They also boost your immune system and improve symptoms of depression.

What foods contain probiotics besides yogurt with live cultures? The answer is fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir (a fermented milk drink), Kombucha tea (a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast) and kimchi (a traditional Korean dish consisting of salted and fermented vegetables like Napa cabbage and Korean radish.)  If you are going to try fermented foods for their probiotic benefits make sure they are unpasteurized, as this process kills the bacteria. If you want to give Kombucha a try, choose one that has 0 grams of added sugar like Big Easy Bucha Kombucha.

Prebiotics, which nurture probiotics, allow your gut bacteria to produce nutrients for your colon cells, which leads to a healthier digestive system. What other foods contain prebiotics? Oats, bananas, berries, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, onions, garlic, dandelion greens, almonds, pistachios, and ground flaxseed. (Please see my blog post on the health benefits of ground flaxseed, found here: https://lisaprincenutritionexpert.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-health-benefits-of-ground-flaxseed.html)

Keeping your gut bacteria balanced is important for many aspects of health, so eat plenty of prebiotic and probiotic foods.

If you have questions about what foods to add to your daily diet that will naturally give you probiotics or prebiotics, shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to answer your questions.

PS. Be sure to try my recipe for lentil barley soup, which you’ll find on my website. (https://lisaprincenutritionspecialist.com/healthy-recipes) It is a great way to get a delicious serving of prebiotics. Enjoy! _Lisa