Although maintaining good health starts with eating a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly, your gut also deserves a little extra TLC — especially since it's so interconnected with your immune health.
Probiotics and prebiotics are a great way to keep your gut happy and healthy — though it can be a bit confusing to know where to start. Registered dietitian Colleen Christensen, RD explains that these live microorganisms are important for immunity, digestion, and overall gastrointestinal health. She also notes the importance of obtaining enough probiotics daily in order to have a balanced gut flora. This can help alleviate some uncomfortable GI symptoms such as gas, bloating and indigestion.
We spoke more to Christensen and other dietitians about some probiotic-rich foods that can help you achieve that daily recommended amount. From kimchi to cheese (yes, cheese!), below are ten easy ways you can add more probiotics to your diet.
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Pick Up Some Kimchi
"Kimchi is a Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables, which contain healthy bacteria and probiotics, usually made during the fermentation process," Christensen tells TotalBeauty. She also says you can easily add this to stir-fries, omelets, or tacos.
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Swap Out Chicken for Tempeh
"Tempeh is a vegetarian protein source that is rich in vitamin B12 and probiotics," says registered dietitian Vanessa Rissetto MS, RD, CDN. She suggests making a healthy and hearty salad with tempeh replacing chicken as the protein.
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Give Fermented Cheeses a Try
"Fermented cheeses like swiss, gouda, parmesan, and cheddar are made using lactic acid bacteria, which means the milk ferments over time to form curds and probiotics," explains dietician Pat Perotti, RD, LD. Fermented cheeses are fairly easy to incorporate into your diet, she explains, as you can eat them as a snack with some fruit.
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Add Miso Paste To Your Shopping List
"Miso is a fermented soybean paste that can be added to Japanese soups, stews, and stir-fries," says Perotti. And since miso paste is fermented, she explains that it promotes the growth of probiotics.
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