Here are some food sources of probiotics that your gut loves:

KOMBUCHA (MY FAMILY’S FAVORITE!)

Kombucha is an all-natural fermented drink that is made of sweetened black tea. It is made using SCOBY – a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha beverages are full of probiotics and other healthy amino acids.

YOGURT

Yogurt is made by bacterial fermentation of milk. Yogurt can be made from cow milk, goat milk, soy milk, nut milks such as almond milk, and coconut milk.

KEFIR

Kefir is a liquid yogurt-like fermented product, often made out of cow or goat milk. It is high in both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria probiotics. Kefir is made with kefir grains – also called kefir babies – which are a combination of bacteria and yeasts. Kefir grains will also ferment milk substitutes such as soy milk, rice milk, and coconut milk, as well as other sugary liquids including fruit juice, coconut water, and ginger beer.

KIMCHI OR SAUERKRAUT

A fermented cabbage dish that comes in many different varieties but usually contains vegetables such as napa cabbage, cucumbers, radishes,and scallions. Kimchi & sauerkraut contain many strains of probiotics including Lactobacillus kimchii, Lactobacillus brevis, and Bacillus pumilus. These bacteria are known to help the body eliminate BPA and pesticides.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar made from apple, with yeast and bacteria added to the liquid to facilitate the fermentation process. When purchasing apple cider vinegar, consider only organic raw products “with the mother”.

This list is by no means complete!

In addition to these specific foods, healthy soil is a great source of probiotics, and hence a diet high in raw fruits and vegetables grown in organic soil will provide the body with lots of healthy bacteria.

See Happy Gut + Healthy Body pt. 1 for more on that!