Probiotics in Your Diet

You've probably been hearing and reading a lot about probiotics lately. That's because those friendly cultures, which are found in certain foods, help to maintain the balance of "good" bacteria in the digestive tract and can help improve the functioning of the digestive system. Here's a guide to some probiotic-rich foods to consider adding to your diet.

Kimchee
This spicy food is a Korean dish of pickled and fermented cabbage and other vegetables. You'll find it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.

Yogurt
You probably have a container or two of yogurt in your fridge. But not all yogurts contain probiotic cultures, so it's important to do your research before going to the grocery store. Enjoying yogurt daily is a great way to get calcium, probiotics, protein, and Vitamin D plus, it's convenient and easy to eat on the run.

Kefir
You may be familiar with this beverage. It's made by culturing milk with grains of kefir, a type of "friendly" bacteria. The end result is a tasty beverage that comes in several flavors.

Miso
A traditional seasoning in Japanese food and the primary ingredient of miso soup, miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans. If you don't have the soup on hand, dissolve a teaspoon of miso paste in a mug of hot water and enjoy.