6 Surprisingly Rich Probiotic Foods

There is a dangerous stigma in America against healthy food. Somehow the idea of healthy food stands separate from comfort food. I’m on a mission to change the definition of comfort food so that you can enjoy your snacks without the downside of a shot to your personal health!

What is more comfortable than food that is easy to digest and leaves you feeling energized?

Just because a meal leaves you craving the couch, doesn’t mean your body is comfortable. Foods high in starches, dairy and bad fats will slow you down and actually cause discomfort in the form of bloating, gas and stomach pain. These symptoms are signs that your body is having trouble breaking down the food you ate.

Probiotics have gained popularity in recent years and food manufacturers are starting to misuse the word for the purpose of selling more product.

Experts define probiotics as live microorganisms which carry enzymes beneficial to digestion. Some of their benefits are still up for debate, but conclusively probiotics can prevent harmful bacteria in the gut and boost your immune defences against the threat of virus.

Here are 6 surprisingly probiotic rich foods that are not only a boost to your health, but are a great boost to your taste buds:

1. Pickles

That’s right, pickles are good for you. That is if you’re consuming the right kind. Naturally fermented pickles come from a salt water brine where the growth of good bacteria is encouraged. Mass produced pickle products are generally treated to pasteurization processes and jarred in vinegar based liquids which actually kill any of the beneficial bacteria.

2. Dark Chocolate

Apart from anti-oxidant benefits, some types of dark chocolate contain the health benefits of probiotic bacteria. The higher the percentage of pure cocoa the more likely the chocolate is to contain probiotics. Also eating probiotics pre-meal is more effective to the digestive process, another reason to eat dessert first!

3. Bananas

These bundles of goodness are so packed with nutritional benefits that their probiotic powers generally go unmentioned. When bananas enter the digestive system they actually feed the good bacteria present in the gut, allowing it to thrive and muscle out any bad or viral bugs hanging out in the stomach.

4. Whole Grain Bread

Bread has gotten a bad rap because of it’s gluten additives, but fresh, organic and whole grain bread can actually be extremely good for you. Whole grains are packed with enzymes which encourage good bacteria in the gut and the added fiber content further supports a healthy digestive process.

5. Miso Soup

What chicken noodle soup is to Americans, miso soup is to the Japanese. This main stay dish has been used for centuries in traditional Japanese medicine to bring people back from serious ailment. Made from fermented rye, beans, rice, and barley, the miso formula is full of lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria. It is also credited with helping to neutralize the body of harmful environmental pollutants.

6. Yogurt

This food may not be as surprising however it is important that you buy the right kind of yogurt to full appreciate its probiotic benefits. Cow based dairy products are not actually the best source for good gut bacteria. Yogurt made from goat’s milk are especially high in acidophilus, bifudus and aciphilus – a trifecta of amazingly powerful digestive enzymes.

As with anything you put into your body it is important to read the ingredients of these probiotic rich foods. Many so called natural source foods can contain high fructose additives, artificial sweeteners and toxic preservatives which will pose serious risks to your health.