Foods that Contain Probiotics

The term “probiotic” is of Greek origin and literally means “for life.” We know probiotics as live microorganisms that can help promote digestive and immune system health. There are many strains of probiotics including the most common Lactobacillus species and the Bifidobacterium species, and all can encourage growth of intestinal flora that is vital for digestion. Many people are exploring these beneficial bacteria as a natural way to enrich their diets, and foods that contain probiotics are cropping up on grocery lists and daily health menus everywhere.

Probiotics in Dairy Products

You probably already include foods that contain probiotics in your diet. Yogurt with live cultures contains probiotics and can help promote friendly bacteria that exist naturally in your digestive system. Aged cheeses, such as aged cheddar, Swiss, or Gouda cheese, can be fortified with probiotics and can be a delicious option to snacking your way toward improved digestive health. Other dairy products such as acidophilus milk and cottage cheese that contains live active cultures also belong to the family of foods that contain probiotics.

Probiotics and Fermented Foods

Probiotic-rich foods are often referred to as fermented or partially fermented foods. These foods often contain high probiotic counts thanks to the healthy bacteria and yeasts that develop during the fermentation process. Brine-cured pickles without vinegar and sauerkraut are fermented foods that contain probiotics. Sourdough bread made with true sourdough starter can be another source of probiotics and, of course, it partners so well with aged cheeses!

Fermented soy products such as miso, a soybean cake known as tempeh, and soy sauce are all high in probiotics as well as protein and isoflavones, making them a power packed addition to many recipes. Traditional Asian foods such as pickled ginger and kimchi—a Korean dish made with spicy fermented vegetables—offer a wealth of probiotics in every bite.

You can get your probiotics in liquids as well as in solid nutrition. Kefir—translates to “feel good” in Turkish—is a non-alcoholic beverage made from milk and fermented with kefir grains, a process that yields probiotics in this yogurt-like drink. Probiotics are also added to an increasing variety of health foods and beverages to enrich their nutritional value. Check food labels for probiotic content. Foods that contain probiotics can be found in many recipes and in just about any supermarket, helping you become a probiotic champion “for life.”