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5 Ways to Consume More Probiotics

April 6, 2014 by Katie Wells
5 Ways to Consume More Probiotics without taking a supplement
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • 1. Make Some Kraut
  • 2. Or Some Kvass...
  • 3. Water Kefir "Soda"
  • 4. Kombucha
  • 5. Homemade Ginger Ale

The human body has more bacterial cells that human cells and a large part of these live in the digestive system. New research is constantly showing the relationship of gut bacteria to many aspects of health. Unfortunately, the modern diet is largely deficient in foods that nourish this gut bacteria in a healthy way since many foods are pasteurized, irradiated or created in a sterile lab.

The balance of bacteria in the gut is important for immune health, hormone balance and many other aspects of wellness. Many of the foods that are most often consumed these days are high in sugar, processed grains, vegetable oils and foods that often let the “bad” bacteria grow more than they should.

Adding probiotic-rich foods and drinks to the diet is an easy way to give gut bacteria a boost and to keep the digestive system in proper balance. Here are five easy ways to consume more probiotics:

1. Make Some Kraut

Traditional homemade sauerkraut recipe-packed with probioticsThink you don’t like sauerkraut? You probably have just never had a traditionally made sauerkraut. Unlike canned and store-bought options, traditional sauerkraut is crispy, salty and delicious.

You can make it on your kitchen counter for the cost of some cabbage and it is a great way to add vegetables and probiotics to your diet. Almost any vegetable can be fermented and books like Wild Fermentation and Nourishing Traditions have a lot of great recipes.

Click here to see my recipe for delicious homemade sauerkraut.

2. Or Some Kvass…

How to Make Beet Kvass and whyLike sauerkraut, Kvass is a naturally fermented and probiotic-rich drink with other health-boosting properties. Nourishing Traditions explains that it is:

“valuable for its medicinal qualities and as a digestive aid. Beets are loaded with nutrients. One glass morning and night is an excellent blood tonic, promotes regularity, aids digestion, alkalizes the blood, cleanses the liver and is a good treatment for kidney stones and other ailments.”

We drink Kvass and use it in salad dressings. I sometimes mix Kvass with slightly cooled broth for a warm drink.

Here is the recipe for Beet Kvass.

3. Water Kefir “Soda”

How to make healthy probiotic water kefir natural sodaThe kids’ favorite way to consume probiotics is in the form of Water Kefir “Soda.” Water Kefir is made by using a natural colony of beneficial yeast and bacteria to ferment a sugar water solution.

The bacteria consumes the sugar in the water and in the process creates probiotics and enzymes. If a secondary fermentation is done, the result is a naturally fizzy fermented probiotic drink that is reminiscent of a fruit soda. There are endless ways to customize water kefir soda flavors.

Water Kefir is dairy free and easy to make on the kitchen counter. Click here for my full tutorial.

4. Kombucha

how to make kombucha easy recipeKombucha has gained a lot of popularity lately and many stores now carry pre-bottled kombucha drinks. Kombucha contains a host of enzymes and probiotics and has a naturally tangy and fizzy taste. While I love store-bought versions, I’m not a fan of the $5/bottle price tag.

Kombucha is very simple to make at home and once you purchase a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) the cost per gallon is less than $2. This is another thing that is often sitting on our counter. I actually brew two different ways:

  • Continuous brew in a large glass jar with a spigot
  • Traditional brew in gallon glass jars

We always do a secondary ferment with some organic juice to get the natural carbonation and this homemade kombucha is definitely my favorite way to get probiotics. Click on the links above to see the recipes. I recommend finding someone local who can share a SCOBY if possible, or buying from Kombucha Kamp if you can’t find one near you.

5. Homemade Ginger Ale

How to make natural ginger ale- a healthy and delicious treat full of probiotics and enzymesAnother favorite at our house is homemade ginger ale. This recipe uses a ginger “bug” made from fresh ginger, natural sugars and wild bacteria to create a beneficial colony of bacteria that is then used to ferment a strong ginger tea.

Unlike conventional soda which often contains high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients, this natural recipe combines the digestive benefits of fresh ginger with beneficial bacteria for a fizzy and refreshing “soda.”

If you haven’t already tried these fermented foods and drinks, I’d really encourage you to give them a try! Not only are they delicious, but full of health-boosting properties.

The suggestion to add probiotic rich fermented foods to my diet was one of the best pieces of health advice I’ve ever gotten. I HIGHLY recommend it!

What is the best food advice you’ve ever received? Ever fermented anything? Share below!

Fermented foods and drinks contain probiotics that boost gut bacteria. Probiotic rich recipes for sauerkraut, water kefir, kvass, kombucha and ginger ale.

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Why Everything We Know About Probiotics is Wrong219: Why Everything We Know About Probiotics Is Wrong & How to Stop Leaky Gut With Microbiologist Kiran KrishnanDebunking Probiotic Myths with Just Thrive Founder Tina Anderson244: Debunking Probiotic Myths With Just Thrive Founder Tina AndersonWhy ButcherBox Is Bringing Back Grass-Fed Meat With Mike Salguero222: Why ButcherBox Is Bringing Back Grass-Fed Meat With Mike SalgueroKombucha Questions Answered: Alcohol, Candida, Pregnancy, and More With Kombucha Kamp269: Kombucha Questions Answered: Alcohol, Candida, Pregnancy, and More With Kombucha KampHow I Overcame Trauma (and Lost 50 Pounds)309: How I Overcame Trauma (and Lost 50 Pounds)Balanced Hormones, Micronutrients and the Thermo Diet With Christopher Walker388: Balanced Hormones, Micronutrients, and the Thermo Diet With Christopher Walker
Category: Health

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (58 Comments)

  1. Stephanie

    August 19, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    The best advice I received (recently) was to never eat anything that doesn’t rot.

    Reply
  2. Sarahb

    August 19, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    And I think the best advice was hammered in pretty early on…don’t smoke! It’s easy to quit if you never stop. So I never have to worry about all the negative side effects or the cost involved!

    Reply
  3. ashley

    August 19, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    The best advice I ever got was to give up grains.  Not to sound like a kiss-up but before that point every piece of advice I’d been given followed right along with Conventional Wisdom. 

    Reply
  4. Sarah

    August 19, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    The best advice I have ever gotten was to eat a lot of fats! It was really made a difference for me.

    Reply
  5. Jen

    August 19, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    The best health advice I’ve received was in April of this year. It was to try the Paleo diet for 30 days (no grains, no refined sugars, no legumes, no dairy). Wow, what a difference in my energy level, motivation, and hormones! And the best part is I’m not taking any crazy supplements or drugs! I just have had to change how I cook and eat. I recommend giving it a try if you haven’t!

    Reply
  6. Kimmi

    August 19, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Our surgeon for my son suggested going grain free, and my Ob said even one glass of wine in early pregnancy can cause a miscarriage.

    Reply
  7. Tammy Vanderwoude

    August 19, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    A piece of advice that has worked for me is:  if I decide to eat sugar or processed foods (like the other day when I had a bit too much ice cream), just notice how I feel afterward.  This is enough to remind me why I choose to eat a paleo-style diet and keeps me focused.  (I signed up for the newsletter!)

    Reply
  8. Christina horst

    August 19, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    My 94 year old grandma grows a huge veggie garden and cans and freezes for the whole year! She has her own milk cow, chickens, and beef. She makes everything from scratch and only goes to the Grocery store like once a month or less..impressive!  She isn’t on any prescription meds and still gets around great!

    Reply
    • Reagan

      April 7, 2014 at 8:40 AM

      I make the sauerkraut, super easy. We love the water kefir, super easy.
      I have made Kombucha-but I have issue with it and hope you can help. I have been successful a couple times, but it has a vinegar taste. My friends kombucha is sweet. My last couple of attempts gave failed. The scoby did not grow a “baby”. It is so frustrating. Any insight ascyo why it would fail and/or be vinegar-ish?

      Reply
    • Cheryl

      March 24, 2016 at 6:49 PM

      That’s great! I hope to be like her someday!

      Reply
  9. Lisa Marie

    August 19, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    The best advise I ever got was last year from a chiropractor, who said to check my vitamin D levels. I was sick 3-4 times a year with cold and chest congestions, my vitamin D turned out to be a 17, and needs to be like 50 or something 🙂  Now I take Vitamin D and haven’t been the least bit sick in over a year!

    Reply
    • Jan

      April 9, 2014 at 6:55 PM

      Fifteen minutes a day builds your vitamin D in the summer months works too. We all need more sunshine D.

      Reply
  10. Erinmarie Xian

    August 19, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Well, at this point I HOPE it’s to go Paleo and not CW nutritional standpoints. Time will tell but so far, I’m on board and anxious to learn all I can to make my own best decisions. I will say I had to Unsubscribe from all of my health newsletters (Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Shape Magazine blah blah blah << all nonsense) So, I think on I'm the right track I just have to keep my ears closed to most media outlets 🙂 

    Reply
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