The skinny on prebiotics and probiotics

Learn the key ingredients to your gut health

Recently, there has been a ton of hype centered around probiotics.  Just as you take a stroll around the grocery store, you will see food labels enhanced with probiotic information.  Well, there’s a very good reason for all of this hype as there are very good reasons to focus on a probiotic-rich diet.  However, there are certain foods you want to stick with when choosing probiotics as well as trying to incorporate prebiotics.  But hold the phone….. I’ll explain all of that in a moment!

The term “prebiotics” may be new to some of you.  I remember when I first heard “prebiotics” I thought, what in the world, I just started to understand probiotics!

It’s rather simple to understand so by the end of this, you will be a pro.

Key:  Prebiotics “serve as food for the probiotics” and Probiotics are “friendly bacteria that help balance your gut flora”

See, now you’re a master at this!

Prebiotics and Probiotics go together, called Synbiotics.

Your gut is full of good and bad bacteria which can easily get off track or become imbalanced.  This can lead to digestive issues.  When you focus on getting prebiotics and probiotics into your diet, they begin to get rid of the bad guys and create a happy tummy.

Prebiotic Food Sources

Raw garlic, bananas, chicory root, leeks, legumes, wine, whole-wheat foods, fruits and veggies

Probiotic Food Sources

Kefir, yogurt, aged cheese, miso, kombucha, kimchi, any food that is cultured or fermented

Eating foods high in soluble fiber will aid in the “friendly” bacteria working to help change the bacteria to balance your gut flora.

The key is to start looking for labels that will state “Promotes a healthy digestive system.”  Also, especially when shopping for yogurts, concentrate on the ones that provide actual terms such as “with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli” and “Live, active cultures.”

Typically greek yogurts like Fage, Non-Fat/Plain will have the highest amount of probiotics.  This happens to be my go to yogurt as it has 18 grams of protein in 6 oz. and makes for a probiotic-rich snack! As an example, below is the ingredient list for the Fage yogurt where you can see how rich it is:

Grade A Pasteurized Skimmed Milk, Live Active Yogurt Cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei).

If you feel bold, next time you’re at the store, pick up some of these awesome prebiotics and probiotics and start incorporating into your diet.

Cheers to your gut health!