Fermented foods are good for a healthy life, but how much should we eat & do any of them taste good? For more ideas on getting healthy, make sure to check out all our Healthy Living posts!
Wait? What does fermented food mean? Fermentation is a process in which food is exposed to bacteria and yeasts, either via inoculation or naturally through the air. For example, coffee is naturally fermented by wild yeasts & bacteria. Yogurt is fermented by souring bacteria. Although it may sound a little gross, fermenting foods can create healthy bacteria, which is necessary for a healthy digestive system.
Most Americans do not eat fermented foods with enough live cultures on a regular basis and many of the store-bought versions don't contain enough cultures to keep us healthy or contain a large amount of sugar which causes its own problems.
Read on to find 5 reasons you NEED to be eating fermented foods and then try to add things like homemade yogurt (so easy to make with this yogurt maker), sauerkraut, Bubblies pickles (or make your own), kombucha, and more!
5 Reasons to Eat More Fermented Foods
- Promote Gut Health
Fermented foods help treat leaky gut as well as help keep the digestive tract clean and healthy helping reduce risk of colon cancer. Good gut health is key to enjoying a healthy lifestyle, controlling depression and migraines, and even preventing certain types of cancer in the body.
- Fermented foods contain probiotics
Probiotics are healthy bacteria in your body that helps control unhealthy bacteria like Candida that can leave to illness and cancer.
- Fermented foods are easier to digest
Fermented allergens are easier for the body to digest. The fermentation process breaks down lactose the main cause of trouble digesting dairy products. In fact fermented foods are essentially partly digested foods already beginning to break down with the same good bacteria your body breaks it down with.
- Fermented foods are good for weight loss
The good bacteria in fermented food encourages intestinal health allowing your body to get more of the nutrition from foods you eat. When you have needed nutrition you are less likely to overeat. The good bacteria in fermented foods keeps candida in check. Candida causes sugar and carb cravings that quickly lead to weight gain.
- Fermented foods last longer
Fermentation is a form of food preservation. Common foods to find are pickled canned goods. Fermenting is a great way to keep the food from your garden fresh while providing your body with essential good bacteria at the same time.
Do you want to give fermented foods a try? Do you want to find more fermented foods you love? Oh Lardy’s Guide to Fermenting Fruits and Vegetables is a great read for people interested in fermented foods!
Fermented Food Resources
- Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs
- Fermentation For Beginners: The Ultimate Guide to Fermenting Foods Quickly and Easily
- Paleo Probiotics: Fermented Foods for the Paleo Diet (Living Paleo Book 1)
- Sourdough: Recipes for Rustic Fermented Breads, Sweets, Savories, and More
- Fermented Foods for the Picky Eaters
Fermented Food Supplies
- Sourdough Starters
- Culture Starter
- Kefir Starter
- Fermenting Crocks
- Fermented Vegetable Master (gallon jar & accessories)
What's your favorite fermented food?
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