All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
HawaiianPoi

Hawaiian Poi

A traditional Hawiian food called Poi is a good source of probiotics. It is a Hawaiian word for the primary Polynesian staple food made from the underground plant stem or corm of the taro plant (known in Hawaiian as kalo). It is a traditional part of Native Hawaiian cuisine. Poi is produced by mashing and pounding followed by cooking the corm (baked or steamed) until it is a highly viscous fluid looks like dough.  Poi has a paste-like texture and a delicate flavor, with a pale purple color that derives from that of the taro corn. Poi powder is available online stores like amazon.com and http://tastyislandhawaii.com/

What it contains? Poi has more beneficial bacteria than yogurt. Fresh poi is sweet and edible all by itself. Each day thereafter, the poi loses sweetness and turns slightly sour, due to a natural fermentation that involves Lactobacillus, yeast, and Geotrichum. Taro is low in fat, high in vitamin A, and abounds in complex carbohydrates. Poi has been used as a milk substitute or baby food for babies. It contains no gluten, and as such is safe for ingestion by people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hawaiian_poi.jpg


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 5, 2016
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Kimchi

Kimchi

One of the healthiest food – another pickled cabbage popular Korean side dish is spiced and pickled cabbage. It can be mild, medium or spicy! It is spicy and sour and this traditional Korean side dish is made by fermenting cabbage, cucumber or radish. Because of pickled vegetables, kimchi is a great low-calorie source of fiber.  Early research demonstrates a link between kimchi consumption and immune system regulation. Common ingredients include Chinese cabbage, radish, garlic, red pepper, spring onion, ginger, salt, and sugar.

What it contains? Filled with vitamins, calcium, and probiotics; it’s an excellent and hot way to stay healthy. The best tasting kimchi is stored in room temperature for an average of six months to reach its full flavor.  Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, B1 and B2.

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/949257/kimchi-spicy-raw-side-dish (Free for commercial use)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Tempeh

Tempeh

Made from soy protein, tempeh is a delicious meat substitute that’s full of vitamin B12 and probiotics. Try it baked, grilled, or sautéed for a tasty meatless meal. A tempeh starter with the fungus Rhizopus oligosporus is added to partially cooked soybeans, which then is left to ferment. As it ages, white fungi grows in between the gaps of the beans, filling them all in.  Because the fermentation process turns it into patty form it often resembles a meaty loaf or a burger patty. It is gut friendly because of the probiotic contents that support the growth of good bacteria.

What it contains? Apart from R. oligosporus it is also a great source of vitamin B12, protein and fiber this vegetarian food can be sautéed, baked, or eaten crumbled on salads.

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sliced_tempeh.jpg

FotoosVanRobin from Netherlands / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Microalgae

Microalgae

Sometimes called “blue algae,” microalgae is a grassy, green plant that is often used in juices. Microalgae is more of a food additive that is created from ocean plants such as blue-green algae, Spirulina and Chorella. When fixing your morning smoothie, add microalgae to include the probiotics that your body needs. – Although this is not a food per se, it’s great to add to your morning smoothie.

What it contains?  Microaglae refers to superfood ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chorella, and blue-green algae. Micro algae have been found to increase both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in the digestive tract in addition to many other important nutrients: chlorophyll, beta-carotene and the highest sources of protein and nucleic acids of any plant food.

Caution: Micro algae can raise levels of uric acid to the point that kidney stones can form, calcium can be depleted, and gout can appear.

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seaweed_salad.png

Tiia Monto / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Milk

Milk

Though it is relatively new to the market, a few types of milk contain added probiotics. Probiotic milk products may be beneficial in alleviating symptoms for a number of gastrointestinal conditions, including Helicobacter pylori infection, irritable bowel syndrome and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. According to the Dairy Council of California “milk to which probiotic bacteria have been added, such as acidophilus milk, and fermented milk products” are some of the best sources for probiotics. Benefits of probiotics include intestinal tract health, aiding with allergy resistance, immune system heath, aiding with urogenital tract disorders and lactose intolerance and having limited potential in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

What it contains? It contains Acidophilic bacteria.  Some research has concluded that probiotic milk may cause gas and bloating in kids and the elderly, so check with your doctor to make sure it is okay for use in your home.

Image credit: Image by Couleur from Pixabay  (Free for CC0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut

When you sauerkraut bread you might wonder what it actually contains? It is nothing but fermented pickled cabbage, which is a stomach friendly vegetable rich with fiber. Used to top sausages or as a side dish, this condiment is made from fermented cabbage. If you are looking for sauerkraut then buy unpasteurized sauerkraut. Just remember:Always consult a physician before eating unpasteurized foods while pregnant.

What it contains? Made from fermented cabbage, sauerkraut is not only extremely rich in healthy live cultures, also helps with reducing allergy symptoms. Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamins B, A, E and C. It may contain following probiotics:  Leuconostoc mesenteroides, L. brevis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, L.  plantarum or L. bavaricus.

Image credit: www.werindia.com


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Kefir

Kefir

Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, is slightly effervescent and tastes like sour, unsweetened yogurt. A milky beverage originating in Russia and Turkey, kefir is thought to be an even better source of probiotics than yogurt.  A cross between yogurt and milk, kefir is a delicious way to get probiotics and vitamins into our system. Similar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of goat’s milk and fermented kefir grains.

What it contains?

High in Lactobacilli and Bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants. Look for a good, organic version at your local health food store.Made by fermenting goat, cow or sheep’s milk with kefir “grains,” this drink contains ten to 20 different types of bacteria. According to research published in the American Journal of Dietetics, kefir has been proven to help ease lactose intolerance in some adults.

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beneficio-do-kefir.jpg, Saúde em dia, Douglas Medrado, Alan Costa / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) (portion enlarged)


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Soy yogurt

Soy yogurt

If you are allergic to regular dairy products and yogurt then try soy yogurt using soymilk.. Look for labels that say “live and active cultures” to be sure. It is difficult to find soy yogurt in markets, however you may find it health food shops. One can also prepare soy yogurt at home. You can use store-bought yogurt as a starter cultuSoy naturally contains some probiotic benefits, but new soymilk products on the market have added extra live culturesre. In some countries, soy yogurt is labelled as “cultured soy milk” because the term “yogurt” is reserved for dairy yogurt.

What it contains? Adding probiotic agents to soy milk increases its health value. Soy yogurt contains friendly bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

Image credit: Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels (CC0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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