Surprising Probiotic Foods

            Probiotics are said to help with digestive issues. You see adds for supplements everywhere. If you take some pills you’ll have less digestive discomfort and if you eat certain yogurts several times a day you can ease some of the irregularity. I’ve tried both, but I don’t buy into the health effects for myself. It was a waste of money. It seems my digestive issues are beyond help. However, I do keep track of my symptoms in a food journal so I can pinpoint which foods make me feel good and which ones make me feel bad. That way I can modify my diet so I have fewer issues. So, I’m always interested in reading new articles that have ideas and help for easing digestion. 

           A recent WebMD article has some probiotic food suggestions. One that came as a surprise to me is sauerkraut. Unpasterized kraut has beneficial microbes and is also loaded with immune-boosting vitamins that may help ward off infection. Miso soup, which is a fermented soybean paste, can also aid in digestion. I was excited to hear that soft cheeses contain strains of a strong bacteria that can survive the trip through your gastrointestinal tract. Another surprise, I didn’t realize that sourdough bread aids digestion because it contains lactobacilli. I find the suggestions interesting and worth a shot. After all, I will not have lost anything even if they don’t work as probiotics. I like changing it up and trying different foods.