YUMMY FOR YOUR TUMMY!!!!
Now is a the perfect time to write my article that I promised on PROBIOTICS because I am so EXCITED to announce that RED MANGO has finally opened over by me. If you don't know what RED MANGO is, here is a link to their website.
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| Probiotic Iced Teas |
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| Delicious Frozen Yogurt- Only about 30 calories per ounce (calorie count varies by flavor and choice of toppings) |
Along with offering healthy and delicious frozen yogurt that contains probiotics and is GLUTEN-FREE,they are the ONLY PLACE that I know of that offers a line of PROBIOTIC ICED TEAS!!!
Here is a topic that is not openly discussed on a regular basis (unless you are watching the Dr. Oz show- which I happen to love)- but amazingly enough, when you engage people in this conversation, you find out how many people encounter this problem on a daily basis-
DIGESTIVE UPSET & YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM.
PROBIOTICS- What are they? To make the definition easy for you they are the active, live cultures that are found naturally in certain foods that are known as the "good bacteria". This "friendly bacteria" is believed to aid in digestive issues, as well as provide positive boosts to your immune system.
QUICK REFERENCE to PROBIOTICS:
- PILL FORM (over the counter- always consult a doctor first)
-YOGURT
-SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS (ex: GOOD BELLY, KEFIR)
-FERMENTED SOYBEANS (MI SO & NAT TO- Japanese dishes)
-FERMENTED CABBAGE (KIM CHI & SAUERKRAUT)
YOGURT:
Be mindful of the sugar content yogurt. Some yogurts are LOADED with sugar which defeats the nutritional purpose of eating it. I suggest a Greek yogurt- with a fat content that is 0% (if you can handle it- a bit tart and thick in consistency) or a 2%...or a mixture of the two. The right kind of GREEK YOGURT is an excellent source of PROTEIN that is low in sugar and carbs.
Greek yogurt is great for so many things, but skip the ones with the added fruit. Added fruit=added sugar. Instead, mix in your own berries. I love my 2% Greek Yogurt mixed with fresh blueberries and nuts or low sugar cereal (instead of milk I use the yogurt).
Another idea- dying for a snack? Slice up some vegetables and use the Greek yogurt (0% or 2%) and mix it with a little bit of a vegetable or onion soup mix. Use this as a dip instead of sour cream with your vegetables. (Just be aware of the sodium content in these soup mixes, as they are high).
You probably have seen the commercials for Activia and other things on the market. What they are describing are the Probiotics that occur naturally in the yogurt cultures. Please note that it is recommended in order for you to see beneficial results to these, you must eat a certain amount on a regular basis for a couple of weeks before you body takes to the benefits fully. In this two weeks time, it is normal to feel a little bloated or have your stomach feel a bit "differently" as it is getting use to the new active cultures in your digestive tract.
Other sources of Probiotics:
PILL:
Ok, so you don't like yogurt, you can take a probiotic in a pill form. They are sold over the counter (and again- check with your doctor before taking anything) when looking for a good Probiotic, you must know the amount of live cultures that are in the product- otherwise they are useless. I will post additional links to articles so you can make your own informed decision on this (with the help of your doctor).
SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS:
These brands GOOD BELLY and KEFIR can be found in the dairy section of most supermarkets (like WHOLE FOODS & TRADER JOES)
FERMENTED SOYBEANS & CABBAGE
I don't eat either of these on a regular basis, but it is good to know that they are another source of natural probiotics
I personally think that Probiotics have a huge beneficial impact on my overall health. Please keep in mind that before adding any type of new item to your daily lifestyle, you need to read up on it to see if it is for you, as well as consult with a doctor because there are certain individuals that would not benefit from additional probiotics.
OTHER INFORMATION:
