Lauren Kroeger
In Nutrition
Gut Health: You’ve heard about it before. I’m sure you’ve heard of probiotics. Maybe you’ve heard of prebiotics? Well, they work as a team to improve your gut health. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria, probiotics, to improve the composition of your microbiome.
Keeping your gut healthy is so important because it does so much for us:
Supports our immune system Ensures proper nutrient absorption Produces key vitamins Regulates inflammation Influences metabolism Regulates hormones What throws our microbiome out of whack?
– High stress levels
– Medications like antibiotics
– Processed foods
– Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols
Your diet directly influences your gut health. Eating a diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics positively impacts your gut environment.
My favorite sources of PRObiotics:
GT’s Raw Kombucha – Finish the bottle in 3-5 days
Cleveland Kraut
Lifeway Plain Kefir
Chobani Greek yogurt
Now, let’s talk more about PREbiotics…
Prebiotics are the “food” for the probiotics. They are fiber that nourish your microbiome bugs.
PREbiotic Foods:
SoybeansLentilsWhole grainsOatsOnionAsparagusGarlicUnripe BananaApplesFlaxseed Inulin (chicory root fiber) is a prebiotic that is often added to “diet” foods. You will find it in protein bars, protein powders, even in some Greek yogurt. This synthetic form isn’t near as healthy as getting it from a natural source and comes with side effects: cramping, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Remember, just because they added this isolated fiber to a snack bar high in sugar and low in protein doesn’t make it a healthy choice.
Choose natural food sources of prebiotics and give the probiotics you’re eating/taking something to feed on so your microbiome can really flourish!
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