I’m often a bit wary of health trends, there are so many that I find I can’t keep up. But one I’m definitely on board with is kefir. I’ve recently introduced kefir into my diet, and I’m dying to spread the word. If you’re someone who has experienced gut issues or you just want to make some healthy changes to your diet, here’s why I’d start with kefir.
For anyone not in the know, your gut isn’t quite like other parts of the body. It’s actually full of trillions of helpful bacteria that work together to break down food, fight against harmful pathogens, and keep you in good spirits with regular serotonin releases. Altogether, they make up your microbiome, a bustling ecosystem within your digestive system. Since these helpful bacteria support so many areas of our wider health, it’s important that we keep them happy and healthy, because if they are, then we probably will be too! And that’s where kefir comes in handy.
So, without any further ado, let me tell you why I swear by kefir for gut health.
Read: What Are the Exceptional Types of Fitness?
When to eat kefir
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to when you should take kefir. Many people, myself included, like to start their day with kefir. I find that this allows you to experience the benefits throughout the rest of the day. Not just this, but I also find that making a gut-friendly choice first thing in the morning makes me want to follow it up by making healthy dietary choices in the afternoon and into the evening.
Usually I’ll either pair my morning glass of kefir with a high protein breakfast, such as a greek yogurt bowl or if I’m pushed for time, I’ll consume a kefir-based product such as kefir yogurts. There are so many different ways to consume kefir, but I’ll discuss these a little further down.
As I said, there’s no right or wrong time to take kefir. If you’re someone who is serious about fitness, you may want to consume kefir post workout as part of your recovery. Kefir is a great source of protein, which makes it a great post-workout snack. Many brands also offer kefir protein drinks, which can deliver an immediate hit of protein to tired muscles after a gym session.
A lot of these shakes will contain at least 20 grams of protein, with some on the market containing up to 35 grams. A lot of gymgoers out there are aiming to hit the goal of 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day, so a kefir shake or yogurt that’s high in protein can play a crucial part in helping you hit your protein goals.
How to consume kefir
The beauty of kefir is that there are so many different ways to introduce it into your diet. A kefir drink with my breakfast works great for me and leaves me energised for the day ahead. Another popular way to enjoy kefir at breakfast time is by prepping a batch of kefir overnight oats by simply substituting milk with a kefir drink when following an overnight oats recipe.
On the weekends, when you have more time on your hands, you could even be a bit more adventurous by whipping up some kefir pancakes. You’d just need to substitute buttermilk for kefir in this instance; you may even find this to be a great way to introduce kefir to your child’s diet.
There’s also a great selection of kefir protein drinks on the market, which are great for those trying to build muscle or follow a high protein diet. These can be consumed with a meal or after a workout.
The benefits of kefir
So you’re probably wondering why I’m so passionate about kefir, and it all comes down to one little phrase that we’re seeing a lot of these days: gut health. I’ve always struggled with gut issues, but never really known what the root cause of the problem was.
Since introducing kefir into my mornings and generally following a gut-friendly diet, I’m far less bloated after meals. The science behind kefir and other fermented foods suggests that this is due to a more balanced gut microbiome.
Other benefits that you may experience from regularly consuming kefir may include a reduction in IBS symptoms, finding it easier to maintain a healthy weight and even improved mental wellbeing.
Where to buy kefir
If you’re wondering where to buy kefir, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. A few years ago, kefir may have been hard to find. But the recent growth in the popularity of kefir means you should be able to pick it up in your local supermarket. There’s also a variety of ecommerce stores selling kefir today if you want to have a fresh batch of kefir delivered to your door.
