Good bacteria that lives in our bodies is heavily influential on our health. Trillions of good bacteria live in and on our bodies. Many of these bacteria reside in our gut; helping to break down food and absorb nutrients.
Not having enough beneficial bacteria can really affect our digestive health, our ability to absorb nutrients, and our mood.
Here are some signs of a bacterial imbalance:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Skin conditions
Experiencing any of these? Try adding fermented foods to your diet!
Here are 5 fermented foods that are full of health benefits:
1. Kombucha
Just a few years ago this fermented tea beverage was completely foreign outside of the health foodie community. Now it’s become pretty mainstream and for good reason.
It’s full of good bacteria and great if you’ve had too much to eat or if you’ve had a bit too much to drink the night before. It’s great for an early morning boost.
2. Sauerkraut and Kimchi
Sauerkraut is literally, “sour cabbage” and kimchi is its spicy relative. Both are fermented, sometimes with other veggies like carrots, onions, and green beans. And they make a great addition to salads, scrambled eggs, and sandwiches.
3. Miso
Miso is not just for those sushi outings, it’s also full of fermented goodness. It is a fermented paste of soybeans. You can enjoy as soup or mix into salad dressing.
4. Tempeh
This vegetarian favourite is made from fermented soybeans and is a complete source of protein. Since it’s been fermented it’s much easier on the digestive system than your typical tofu.
5. Kefir
Kefir is milk fermented using many different probiotic strains and yeast. It’s basically a watered down version of yogurt.
It can have anywhere from 3 to 40 times more probiotics than yogurt. And it’s always best to buy unflavoured and sweeten on your own.
Here’s a simple Power Up Approved breakfast recipe to get your day started!
Overnight Oats
What you’ll need:
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- ¾ cup almond milk or milk of choice
- 2 tbsp kefir
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp peanut or almond butter
- ¼ cup blueberries or fruit of choice
- Sprinkle with cinnamon (optional)
What to do:
- Mix the oats, chia seeds, almond milk, and vanilla together until well combined.
- Place in a sealed or covered container overnight in the refrigerator.
- In the morning, stir in the nut butter and maple syrup and top with fruit.
- Serve cold and enjoy.
Our Power Up Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using quality food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Make sure you follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for nutrition tips and tricks from me, our in-house nutrition expert!
To our health & wellbeing,
Danielle
In-House Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.),
Natural Chef., R.M.T.
