Kefir is truly an elixir of health. Kefir and diet work together to make your digestion and other bodily functions better than ever. It is a delicious fermented beverage that has been around for thousands of years and for good reason. Kefir is a probiotic food, meaning it contains strains of beneficial bacteria that support the function of our own microbiome. The microbiome plays a huge role in the overall healthy functioning of the body. It influences hormones, mood, immunity and even our ability to utilize nutrients. Therefore, it is vital we do everything we can to support the health of it.
Of course, in this day and age, we are inundated with so many products, diets, and advice it can be confusing, expensive and exhausting to try and stick to something for the long term that supports our health for life. Michaela Sparrow, a naturopath, clinical nutritionist, and certified anti-aging practitioner gave us the low-down on the age-old fermented health enhancer.
Image: Alison Marras
Why Should We Incorporate Kefir Into Our Diets?
Why I love fermented food products like kefir, it is an affordable and convenient way to naturally enhance your health. Instead of giving our body a highly processed, expensive supplement that it can barely recognize, you are giving your body a whole food, in its most natural form, so it is easily utilized. Bonuses include that because kefir is a whole food, it also contains many vitamins and minerals we need to nourish our bodies such as calcium, vitamin d, vitamin b12, vitamin b2 plus it is rich in protein, perfect for supporting healthy muscle mass, energy, and hormone balance.
Depending on how your gut health is currently you may want to blend kefir and diet more slowly. Either way, it is very simple to include it in your diet. There are many different kefir products available out there, now that gut health has become all the rage. But be aware, they are not all created equal, and reading some of the ingredients panels I have been shocked and disappointed in the quality of many commercial kefir products. You want to find a kefir product that has as many different strains of bacteria as possible. We have over 500 strains in our gut, the more there is in our food the better impact they will have.
Image: Adrienne Leonard
Simple Ways To Include Kefir Into Your Diet:
- Add some to your smoothie in the morning in replacement of yoghurt, milk or water
- Use it to blend up with your protein powder, with half kefir, half water
- Have a kefir shot like Tummify. This is a super convenient way of supporting gut health
- Use it in replacement of yoghurt for salad dressings
While you’re here, check out these three low-carb breakfast ideas that won’t make you miss bread.