Feel Fantastic With Fermented Foods

One of the definitions of fermenting is “to incite or stir up.” Sounds exciting, right? Well, for your immune system, fermented foods ARE exciting! Regularly incorporating fermented foods into your diet can bring a multitude of health benefits by stirring up the good bacteria in your gut, improving their diversity and function. Some of these health benefits include reducing blood cholesterol levels, improving allergies, and decreasing risk of asthma, type 2 diabetes, and excess weight gain. This is great news, as there are a lot of delicious, easy, and economical fermented food and beverage options out there that you can work into your diet in a variety of ways. We think you’ll love the options we have for you at Farmhouse Delivery. But first, a little refresher on why fermentation is good for you.

Originally used as a preserving method, the process involves converting sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol. This process naturally releases healthy bacteria known as probiotics that provide protection against pathogens, acting to regulate the immune system. The most common fermented products include: cultured dairy and cheese, and fermented sausage, vegetables, soy, and cereal products. Probiotics generated from fermented foods are especially beneficial to digestive health, allowing for more effective absorption of vitamins and nutrients in food and better all around physical and mental health. With today’s modern diet of high-sugar or processed foods, the addition of fermented foods can help provide immune support by counteracting the “bad” bacteria in your gut. Regular consumption of fermented foods is a great way to get the “good” bacteria into your everyday life and diet.

Here are some of our favorite ways you can enjoy the benefits of probiotics in a delicious way: 

Kefir Sodas A great option when you’re busy and need a probiotic boost in your day. Made with water kefir “grains,” (Just a term – no grains here!) kefir sodas contain SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) and their fizzy array of flavors means you’ll never grow tired of sipping. 

Kombucha – This is a staple for fermented food nuts! Also in a variety of flavors, this bright, tart beverage packs a probiotic SCOBY punch as well.

Kimchi – This delicious fermented cabbage originates from Korea, but these days you can find it in everything from quesadillas to grilled cheese. It’s also great as on a side on its own!

Yogurt – Mix it in a shake or eat it alone for a meal or dessert. Delicious and packed with belly-benefitting probiotics. 

Pickled Vegetables – Pop in your mouth whole or chop and serve as garnish to a dish or sandwich. Yum!

Sauerkraut – Whether veg-friendly or with a meat of your choice, sauerkraut is a wonderful (and especially flavorful!) addition of probiotics to your diet.

There’s no need to choose just one of the above ways to get probiotics into your diet. You can mix and match and enjoy them all. We know you’ll love them as much as we do!

 

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