Smoothies are a great way to jam a bunch of fruit into your day and it makes a great breakfast and/or snack.
I normally buy frozen fruit so I don’t have the clock ticking for me and taking the risk all my fruit will go bad before I get to use it.
The good thing about smoothies is you can add whatever you want to them.
One great addition to your smoothies is kefir.
Kefir is made by culturing fresh milk with what are called kefir “grains”, which are live colonies of bacteria and yeasts.
There are three main kinds of kefir:
- milk kefir
- coconut kefir
- water kefir
There is also kefir cheese.
If you are a vegetarian you can use kefir grains to ferment any non-dairy milk.
Note: kefir is not to be confused with yogurt. Kefir is much richer in fat than yogurt and contains more protein and live bacteria (probiotics). Although they both offer a variety of benefits for your gut, yogurt only stays in your gut for a short amount of time, whereas kefir grains remain alive indefinitely, offering a longer period of support.
So how is kefir good for your gut (and your whole body for that matter)?
Here are 12 reasons why:
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Improved digestion
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Balances the level of good and bad bacteria in the gut
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Helps fight off harmful fungi, viruses, and bacteria
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Counteracts the negative effects of antibiotics
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Provides allergy relief
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Improved skin health
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May help burns and rashes heal more quickly
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Relieves lactose intolerance symptoms
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May have anticancer benefits
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Boosts immune system
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May help lower the bad cholesterol
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May help lower blood pressure
Here is one of my favorite kefir smoothie recipes. Hope you enjoy!
Probiotic Berry Smoothie
This recipe makes 1 serving.
What you need:
- 2 bananas, peeled
- 1 cup plain kefir
- 1 cup of greens (OPTIONAL: kale, spinach, your choice)
- 1/2 cup frozen berries of your choice (I used a medley of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries)
- 1 tablespoon flaxseeds
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Looking for simple smoothie recipes you can make to detox your kitchen or just jumpstart your way to better eating habits? Check out my *new* smoothie book: 75 Simple Smoothie Recipes for Real People
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