My favorite way to get healthy is to make small changes that add up for a larger impact. I’m not inclined to sign myself up for a marathon, but I have started walking nearly every morning.
It’s unlikely that I’ll do a complete overhaul of my eating habits (although I did try the Whole 30 once). I’d rather make small changes that are easier to keep up with.
One of those things is adding kefir to my snack rotation.
What the heck is kefir, you may ask?
First, let me just say that it actually tastes pretty good. The description I’m about to give you may turn you off of trying it, but stick with me. Despite the description, I do enjoy these smoothies and I think you will too.
Kefir is fermented milk. It’s a little like a thin, drinkable yogurt, but it’s not yogurt. It’s possible to make kefir at home, but I haven’t tried that. Instead, I buy Lifeway brand.
I’ve found it at Walmart, Meijer, Costco and Aldi. Aldi has the best price on the quart size bottles. Costco carries the individual bottles at a price just a bit more than Aldi. (This post isn’t sponsored, by the way. I’m just sharing a product I’m loving.)
Kefir comes in plain or various berry flavors. I prefer the flavored. Actually, I’m not brave enough to try the plain. I even add to the sweetness of the berry flavor by blending half a frozen banana with it. Of course, the flavored varieties aren’t quite as healthy as the plain, but I think it’s a lot healthier for me. The reason, is I’d never drink the plain, so I’d miss out on the health benefits altogether. At least with the flavored type, I get all the good probiotics and other goodness, even if it does come with a bit of added sugar.
Benefits of kefir
Because it’s fermented, kefir is full of probiotics – many more than are found in yogurt. This is a real boost for gut health, but it also brings a lot of other benefits too.
This article goes into more details on the benefits, but here’s a quick list for you.
~ The probiotics are good for you gut and can help restore good bacteria after illness. It’s also good for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
~ It boosts your immunity to viruses and infections.
~ It builds bone density.
~ Some studies show it helps both allergies and asthma.
~ People who are lactose intolerant can usually drink kefir with no problem. In fact, there’s evidence to show that it will help people who deal with that.
~ There have been lab studies that show kefir fights cancer in animals.
~ There are only about 100 calories per cup.
It’s been easy to swap out my morning or afternoon snack for a kefir smoothie instead. I just blend half a frozen banana with 1 cup of kefir. If I don’t have the banana already frozen, I add a cube or two of ice to the blender. Easy!
I’d love to know if you’ve tried kefir and what you think of it!
I often recommend this to patients who have been on a long course of antibiotics or have C-dif to help restore the “good” bacteria in their gut. It is also used overseas by soldiers for digestive issues. I think it tastes good too! They have it at Kroger’s also, in the natural foods refrigerated area.
Kefir is awesome .really like the taste and my daughter is lactose intolerant has no problems with it . I feel great since I have started drinking it regularly. purchase it at Aldi in the quart size
I love Kefir. I too have never tried the plain but every flavor of Kefir I have tried is excellent and I think it is sweet enough on it’s own.
Make your own kefir at home! Much cheaper! Can add fruit of any kind as well as spices for any kind of flavor. Easy to sweeten with stevia so no added sugar. I drink a quart a day on average.
It’s a bit pricey but when I can afford it we use it in our smoothies! I love it the flavored ones just to drink too! As a matter of fact I had a banana/peanut butter/kefir smoothie for lunch!
I have tried kefir a few times but never on a regular basis but will buy it again to make a smoothie, flavored kind of course. Breakfast is not my favorite meal so a serving of kefir should be really good for me.
I actually have ever only tried the plain kefir and it is really good! My mother-in-law introduced it to me when I had a surgery done and was bed-ridden for a few weeks. She took care of me and made me meals and introduced me to kefir. She made it somewhat like a yogurt adding in berries and nuts and I ate it like that with as spoon. It was yummy but I would like to try it this way, in a smoothie. Thanks for the tips!
I too have never tried the plain. I usually drive the flavored. Never thought about doing a smoothie. I know it helps my stomach.