Food Archives - Chara Michele

You’ve heard the term “probiotic” being thrown around a few times, and you may not know that it exactly is. Well, if antibiotics get rid of bacteria, probiotics put bacteria inside of you. But wait, you say, isn’t that a bad thing? Not necessarily. Your digestive system has plenty of bacteria inside it that breaks down foods and promotes healthy digestion. If you’re lacking in probiotics, the nutrition may not assimilate to your body fully. That said, how do you go about making sure your digestive system is well-regulated? There are plenty of foods out there that are both nutrition and contain natural probiotics.

These include:

Kimchi

This is a fermented cabbage dish from the Korean style of eating. Recently, it’s been popular in America, so it couldn’t be a better time to try it. Besides being low in calories and high in probiotics and nutrients, it’s great when served with meat. There are plenty of ways to make it, so look it up and make your own.

Sauerkraut

Another fermented cabbage food, this is best known as the stuff you put on your hot dog. As a solo dish, however, it has many other benefits than just that. Sauerkraut is loaded with probiotics and can even help with some types of cancer.

Kombucha

This is a bubbly tea that is loaded with good bacteria and is best served chilled. It’s available in many different flavors and is a great substitute if you drink too much soda. Despite the fact that it may have a texture that turns people off, it’s an excellent drink once you get used to it.

Kefir

This is a fermented milk drink that’s great for those who don’t like to consume milk. It’s loaded with probiotics and nutrients, and the protein is broken down so that it’s easy to absorb.

Pickles

Here’s another common food that you didn’t know provided lots of probiotics. This classic snack contains plenty of probiotics and even combats anti-nutrients, which tend to prevent you from absorbing minerals. It’s a great snack that will make you and your body happy.

Dark Chocolate

For those who want something sweeter, they can indulge in some dark chocolate. The bitter yet sweet demeanor of dark chocolate provides many health benefits, including plenty of probiotics to help you out. However, note that many of the conventional chocolate bars are processed and may not have the same probiotic oomph as raw dark chocolate does. Look for raw dark chocolate that contains around 70% cacao for the full effect.

Soymilk

Soybeans contain plenty of probiotics. Aside from being a great alternative to conventional milk for those who are lactose intolerant or choose to be vegan, soymilk contains nutritional benefits as well. Look for soymilk that claims to promote probiotics for the best effect.

Miso Soup

Miso is delicious concoction made from tofu, fermented rye and various other ingredients. A great Japanese delicacy, it’s filled with probiotics that will make your digestion happy.

Tempeh

Tempeh is a delicious food made from soybeans, typically found in bread-like form. Aside from this, tempeh contains plenty of nutrients and is loaded with probiotics. For those who love soybeans but have high blood pressure tempeh tends to be low-sodium so you don’t have to worry on that front.

Yogurt

Another delicious dessert that has lots of health benefits, yogurt is perhaps one of the best known on here for being rich in probiotics. However, you must make sure that you’re getting the right yogurt. If the yogurt says that it promotes “live and active cultures,” or something to that effect, then it’s guaranteed that it’s filled with probiotics.

Sourdough Bread

If you’re craving more grains, then this is the way to go. Sourdough bread contains lactobacilli, a probiotic that can help with digestion. So the next time you’re debating between white or wheat bread, why not try a third option and make your sandwiches with sourdough bread. It’s not only tasty, but it can benefit your digestion.

Poi

This one is a little controversial, as it is next to impossible to produce in masses due to sanitation issues. However, this Hawaiian dish contains more live and active cultures than even yogurt. It’s made from mashed taro plant, which turns into a doughy consistency in return. If you visit Hawaii, or know a place that serves Hawaiian cuisine, poi is for you.

Overall, many foods can improve your digestion for the better. Having a healthy digestion can benefit you in so many ways, including better nutrient absorption and less trouble with stomach pains. So remember that not all bacteria is harmful. Some work in harmony with your body to give your functions the boost that it needs. So feel free to consume plenty of probiotic foods and reap their benefits.

Read my article on the benefits of organic food for more hints and tips for a healthier you.

Organic food has been the buzz lately, but what exactly is it? In the simplest term, it’s just food that has not received any genetic modification, pesticides, processing, preservatives, or artificial flavors. There is a bit of controversy about organic versus conventional foods. Is organic better,or is it just a marketing term? Are genetically modified foods harmful? While many of these questions can’t be answered with complete clarity just yet there are many reasons as to why you should give your body more organic food. These reasons and more are included below.

Reduces Pesticide Levels in Your Body

Conventional foods tend to be covered with pesticides. These sprays get bugs off your food and promote a great harvest all year round so it’s reasonable as to why they’d be used. After all, businesses want to make a profit and getting the most out of the harvest is the way to go. In small doses it’s not going to do anything to your body. However, over time it builds up and it may cause damage to your body. Neurological problems, digestive troubles, and plenty of toxins around your body, these are just a few issues that may happen. By switching to an organic diet your pesticide levels will drop quickly getting rid of the toxins in your body.

Promotes Weight Loss

As more people eat ready made and fast foods obesity is on the rise. While there are many factors that probably contribute to that, eating an organic diet may cause you to lose weight. One of the reasons is that when your toxic levels are down your metabolism starts functioning again promoting weight loss. Aside from that, organic foods tend to be richer in nutrients. Some nutrients may promote weight loss so it’s win for all.

Supports the Local Guy

Many of the companies that make conventional foods are big corporations, many of which are doing it for a profit. Sometimes, they don’t care about the content of their product as long as they’re making bank. That said, many of the local farmers are struggling to sell their product and by buying organic foods from farmer’s markets, mom and pop stores, or small businesses, you’re putting your money into something that will support a family, a good idea, and even your health. People always say to support local, and there’s a good reason for that.

Avoid Antibiotics and Hormones

Conventional meats are injected with hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals that may be detrimental to your health. Meat raised from an organic farm tends to be made from animals that were fed nourishing meals, were treated better, and are not injected with all these growth hormones. By eating organic meat you can make sure you’re not putting any of that stuff in your body.

It’s Eco-Friendly

We all worry about our ecosystem for many reasons. With conventional farming, pesticides and other ways of growing food tend to interfere with ecosystems. Bee populations dwindle, which can affect many other things as well. With organic farming, farmers tend to let nature do its thing without interference. In turn, this allows nature to produce the things we love, such as honey and flowers.

It May Taste Better

What is it that we love most about food? If you don’t say it’s the flavor, you’re lying. Organic food tends to be a lot tastier. Every morsel is from soil that is nutrient rich and not filled with harmful chemicals. The meats are raised from happier cows, the eggs from well-fed and raised chickens. If you care about taste you may want to give organic food a try.

It Can Be More Ethical

Many people are concerned about how the livestock behind the meat is raised. Factory farming can be a displeasure for some. Animals are raised in tight cages unable to roam around freely. Then, they are slaughtered. It’s quite a terrible life, and if you want to eat meat without worrying about how the animal was raised, organic is the way to go. These animals are typically raised on farms with plenty of space for the animals to roam around, and they’re not mistreated, overfed, or cramped.

Overall, there are plenty of reasons why you should try organic foods. However, changing to an all-organic diet can be difficult and even expensive. That’s why you shouldn’t worry about making everything organic, but try your best to choose organic whenever possible, as long as it fits your budget. Organic foods tend to be tastier, are more ethically raised, and don’t have chemicals and pesticides that can wreak havoc on your body and the environment.

They say you are what you eat, and by eating organic, you are someone who can put a stop to greedy corporations and start supporting local as well.

The Best Probiotic Foods You Should Eat