Probiotics that actually work (and taste amazing!)
By Liana Werner-Gray
*This is a sponsored blog.
I am a huge fan of probiotic supplements, but I want to make sure you guys also know to EAT YOUR PROBIOTICS.
Probiotics are something we ALL need daily, and it makes a night and day difference to your gut health, which affects your entire life. The better your gut health, the better your life, for real!
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria. When they’re happy, your digestion is smooth, your skin glows, and your mood? Balanced.
But when they’re off? Bloating, fatigue, brain fog; you name it.
So here’s how to feed your gut the right way:
Sauerkraut – This isn’t just pickled cabbage; it’s a fermented powerhouse packed with live probiotics. And trust me, not all krauts are created equal. I love Cleveland Kitchen because their krauts are raw, flavorful, and loaded with gut-loving goodness. You can try it on eggs, salads, pizza, or straight from the jar.
Kimchi – They're spicy, crunchy, and probiotic-rich. It’s a gut healer and a flavor bomb too! Toss it on avocado toast, mix it into stir-fries, or eat it with a spoon (no judgment by the way). Cleveland Kitchen also has amazing Kimchi!
Kombucha – Think of it as soda’s way healthier, way cooler cousin. This bubbly, fermented tea is full of live cultures that support digestion and immunity. Just swap it for your sugary drinks and watch your gut thank you. I prefer the kombuchas sweetened with honey rather than cane sugar.
Pickles – Fermented pickles are made by soaking cucumbers in a saltwater brine, allowing beneficial bacteria (like Lactobacillus) to naturally ferment them. This process creates probiotics that support gut health. Not all pickles are fermented, though! Not to sound like a broken record, but Cleveland Kitchen has tasty pickles, too.
Grass-Fed Dairy-Based Fermented Foods – Yogurt (with live cultures), raw milk. kefir, and aged raw cheese are packed with probiotics. Did you know that raw milk contains natural probiotics, and pasteurized milk destroys all the natural probiotics! The only reason milk or yogurt will have probiotics is if they add them in afterwards, so you always want to go for raw! Think 60 years ago, when milk was delivered to people fresh daily or every other day, when it was straight, freshly milked from the cow. Raw dairy products are an unprocessed, living food that naturally contains beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and other probiotics that support gut health.
Organic Non-GMO Soy-Based Fermented Foods – Miso and tempeh. I love a good quality miso soup for a comforting experience, especially in cold weather.
Fermented Grains & Legumes – Sourdough bread is (traditionally fermented), just make sure it’s organic so the grain is not contaminated with glyphosate.
Fermented Condiments – Apple cider vinegar (with the “mother”) and traditional soy sauce. Again, just make sure they are organic to avoid glyphosate.
What an amazing lineup of probiotic-rich foods! I would recommend incorporating these into your home, especially the Cleveland Kitchen, since they sell 3 probiotic-rich foods: the kraut, kimchi, and pickles!
And by the way, I just featured Cleveland Kitchen on KTLA, breaking down exactly how to get probiotics without even trying. You can watch that segment here.
Cleveland Kitchen makes it so easy to add probiotics to everyday meals - think topping salads, adding crunch to bowls, mixing into sandwiches, with eggs, on toast, and even on pizza! It’s my personal favorite.
Shop their products here.
