What’s The Fuss About Fermented Food?
Fermented foods are rich in probiotics, healthy bacteria, and unique flavors. These delicious diet choices promote gut health and pack a lot of flavor in a small portion! There are many different types of fermented food that fit any taste preference. The combination of distinct flavor profiles and massive health benefits might lead you to wonder how much fermented food you should eat, and what fermented food benefits might exist. Heck, you might even be asking yourself “What is fermented food?” Well luckily, we have an answer for you!
What is fermented food?
Fermented foods undergo a controlled, slow growth of certain bacteria and microorganisms that are good for you, and give off a distinct taste profile. Kombucha, kefir, and even kimchi are examples of foods that have undergone controlled microbial growth in order to produce gut-friendly bacteria. This anaerobic process breaks down sugars and other components, which gives the food its unique taste and smell. Some are stranger than others, but almost all have wildly diverse health benefits.
Why is fermented food good for you?
Fermenting foods started as an alternative method of preservation. Currently, however, we turn to these foods for their known health benefits. These benefits include lower blood pressure, lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower inflammation levels. The most common answer to why is fermented food good for you is the presence of probiotics. Probiotics consist of bacteria and yeasts that live in your body. Introducing more can assist in regularity, inflammation, and digestion. Consuming probiotic-filled foods will help you feel better, and maintain proper levels of those bacteria in your gut.
How much fermented food should you eat?
While it may seem like the health benefits of fermented foods are endless, there can be too much of a good thing. Generally, a serving or two a day of each will be more than enough. Mix it up, with a serving of kefir in the morning one day, and a bottle of kombucha in the afternoon! Or add any of these foods to a meal you’re already enjoying. Foods like kefir/yogurt or miso can be added to smoothies or soups to add an additional health and flavor boost.
Fermented food list
- Miso
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Yogurt (kefir)
- Kombucha
- Pickles
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sourdough Bread
This fermented food list excludes some more experimental options, like tempeh. Tempeh is a fermented soybean patty, often used to replace meat or other substantial parts of a meal. As mentioned before, miso can make a big difference in your diet. Miso paste in any soup or savory dish not only adds a rich and defined flavor but also adds plenty of healthy minerals (vitamin K, zinc) and probiotics to your spread!
Types of fermented food
Many of these foods are available in grocery stores, and you can even make your own kimchi or kombucha at home. Certain fermented foods can easily be made at home, while others have longer or more complicated processes. Some of them are solid foods, while others are liquids or even sauces! Sourdough is actually fermented because of the way the bread is prepared before being baked, though it isn’t the most health-conscious item here. Many kinds of cheese are also prepared similarly, giving off cultures of bacteria in the process.
Fermented food benefits
These foods are not only high in probiotics and gut-friendly bacteria but also tends to be low-calorie. Most of these foods can be added to your diet without cutting anything else, or as a replacement for meats, sides, or sauces! Yogurts are low-calorie and high-protein options that are filled with useful bacteria and provide tons of benefits with almost no trade-offs.
Struggling to fit fermented foods into your meal plan?
Gobble has plenty of options available, with your first 6 meals for only $36! You can easily add these foods to your Gobble meals as well, adding a nice kick, or just a healthy boost. It works by selecting the meals you want to be delivered each week, and our team of chefs at Gobble perfectly prepare and portion complete meals delivered right to your door that can be cooked in as little as 15 minutes! Whether you are looking to eat Lean and Clean, or more interested in the Classic Plan, Gobble has the meal kit for you!
