Benefits of Fermented Foods

Happy Monday, Beauties!

I hope you’re enjoying these Baby Steps To Balanced Living as much as I am.

It’s been a great reminder for me to focus on the little things I can do to improve my health each day. It’s so easy to get lazy!

I’m back in the routine of warm lemon water in the morning and dry skin brushing.  I’ve also re-stocked the fridge with fermented foods.

I first learned about the value of fermented foods through my favorite nutritionist, Drew Parisi.

The kombucha trend has brought fermented foods into the limelight but there are a number of other ways to incorporate fermented foods into your daily diet.

What are fermented foods?

Fermentation originated as a form of food storage before the days of over-processing and pasteurization.

Fermented vegetables are great way to introduce this type of food into your diet:

“The proliferation of lactobacilli in fermented vegetables enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels. These beneficial organisms produce numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anti carcinogenic substances. Their main by-product, lactic acid, not only keeps vegetables and fruits in a state of perfect preservation but also promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine.”
– Sally Fallon, Nourishing Traditions

What are the benefits of eating fermented foods?

• fermentation can make foods more digestible and nutritious (for example, fermented sourdough bread is more nutritious than your typical store-bought loaf).

• they introduce good bacteria (probiotics) into the intestines which can boost immunity, improve digestive function, and even affect your mood and cognitive functioning.

• by improving the health of your gut, you are able to soak up more nutrients from the other foods you are eating which will help to improve your overall health.

• they contain B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and other beneficial enzymes.

• some claim that it can even help you lose weight and clear your skin.

This is just a brief overview of the many benefits of fermented foods. Since I am not a nutritionist I recommend you check out these links for further reading:

Fermented Foods For Beginners

Fermented Foods and Vegetables That Can Heal Your Gut

Guide To Probiotics by Nutrition Stripped

How to get started:

Try adding fermented vegetables into your daily routine. I have a few bites of Saurkraut throughout the day and enjoy fermented pickles when I need a quick snack.

Fermented foods can be found in the refrigerated section at the grocery store.

(Don’t be fooled, traditional pickles off the shelf are not what we’re talking about here.)

A few foods to try:

• Saurkraut (my favorite brand is Farmhouse Culture which can be found at Whole Foods)
• Pickles (Bubbies are my favorite, also at Whole Foods)
• Kombucha
• Full fat, greek yogurt
• Tempeh (fermented soybeans)

If you really want to dive in you can try making your own. Check out this great resource from Parisi Nutrition.

So what do you think? Are you willing to take this baby step to improve your health this year?

xo,

PS – Be sure to check out baby steps 1, 2 & 3: warm lemon water in the morning, dry skin brushing and exercises for a healthy spine.