From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: a substance and especially a carbohydrate (such as inulin) that is nearly or wholly indigestible and that when consumed (as in food) promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract
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Prebiotics are naturally found in certain fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including artichoke, asparagus, bananas, chicory, garlic, and onions. —Andrew Weil
Simply, you need prebiotics for optimum gut health. With all the things we do to ourselves, like eating unhealthy food, taking medications including antibotics, & just the process of getting older we reduce the amount of probiotics in our gut. We want to not only take probiotics but FEED those probiotics.
You can eat your prebiotics (as suggested above), or you can take a supplement with prebiotics or one with both prebiotics AND probiotics (you can find my favorite one HERE). Or you can do both like I do.
I try to add a prebiotic to every meal or snack. Here’s a list of prebiotics, what’s great is a lot of them are ALREADY in your favorite foods:
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Blackberries — I love these in my morning Smoothies
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Garlic – I love garlice, it goes in so much!
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Onion – Onion too! It’s so easy to add in
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Celery – Just snack on a few sticks
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Tiger Nuts – These are my go to. I’ll just pop a couple in my mouth.
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Artichokes – Steamed & grilled are the BEST!
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Asparagus – Roasted or Grilled.. YUM!
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Radicchio – Not one of my favs but easy to add to a sald.
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Shallots – In Chimmichurri OR substititue for garlic & onions
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Leeks – Not my fav but they are a subtler flavor
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Cauliflower – Roasted ARE THE BEST
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Sweet Potatoes – I LOVE a sweet potato salad
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Apples – Just grab and go
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Dandelion Greens – These are actually one of my favs.
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Brussel Sprouts – Again Roasted are SOOO good.
So get to eating and add those supplements in because what I’ve heard and agree with is, your gut is your FIRST defense from the outside world so treat it well and keep it healthy.
XOXOXO – Suha
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