One Mom Discovers the Benefits of Probiotics Foods
Up until a few years ago, I had never heard the term probiotics. Not when I was a newlywed at a healthy, normal weight, not when I gained 150 pounds and lived for 10 years as a morbidly obese woman, and not even when I lost 150 pounds.
Probiotics was nowhere on my radar. In fact, if someone had used that term I might have thought they said “robotics rather than probiotics!”
A few years ago, when one of my children had a bout of an intestinal illness, I took him to the doctor. After examining him to make sure there was nothing serious going on, she recommended making sure he was eating foods that contained probiotics such as yogurt with live cultures, and that I might want to consider giving him a supplement with probiotics in it to help shorten the duration of his illness.
I looked at her blankly. She went on to explain to me that probiotics are a live microorganism, mostly bacteria, which mimic the good microorganisms that we have naturally in our intestinal system. She told me that the National Institutes of Health and several studies have shown that probiotics can sometimes help kids with intestinal issues and likely have other health benefits as well. I listened and then promptly went to the health food store and bought some yogurt and a small bottle of the probiotics she had recommended.
My little guy got better and his illness faded from memory. What did not fade from memory was her talk to me about the health benefits of probiotics. From then on, I made sure that we ate yogurt on a regular basis and gave the kids probiotics that she recommended whenever they had tummy trouble.
Fortunately, I have rarely had problems with my stomach. Back problems? Yes. Tummy trouble? Not so much. However, several friends who suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome also make sure to include probiotics in their diets both through foods they ate such as yogurt, kefir, supplements from the health food store, and probiotics bars like those from Attune.
I am all about making sure that I am not only feeding my family the healthiest foods I can afford and find, but also want to make sure that they are getting the nutrients they need. Probiotics included.
What is your experience with probiotics? Ever heard of them or tried them? I’d love to hear your experiences.
Be well!
Diane
Check out my latest posts here
Aug 08, 2012 @ 02:43:00
I do also believe in the power of probiotics and eating a lot of yogurt for this particular reason as well.
A woman here at work, fill her diet on with the pills you can buy at the pharmacy.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 03:18:00
Yes, I’ve always enjoyed yogurt, but since last fall when I successfully last 32 pounds following the 17 Day Diet plan, I’ve faithfully eaten two probiotic servings each day. Doing that has also introduced me to some sources beyond yogurt i.e. kiefer that I really enjoy. Getting the two servings in each day is not difficult. I consider it a treat and yes, I can tell a difference in the way my digestive system works!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 05:12:00
I eat Greek yogurt but I understand Kefir is better for you. I keep wanting to try the Attune probiotic bars but have not yet…. I do have some issues with food & my tummy!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 05:38:00
I learned the benefits of probiotics after taking antibiotics and having stomach issues. It is especially important to eat yogurt when taking antibiotics, as it puts “the good bacteria” back into your stomach since the antibiotics basically destroy them. What a world of difference!
I’m not a big yogurt eater, so I definitely need to work toward a supplement or perhaps trying the bars offered here.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 06:30:00
So glad he healed up! I definitely have gut issues thanks to problems as a child that weren’t taken care of. I use probiotics daily along with digestive enzymes.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 07:29:00
I eat my homemade yogurt almost every day. I see diets that say I should not have milk or milk products but I continue to have yogurt. I haven’t put a lot of thought into why I eat it other than I like it. I cannot afford a monthly $60 yogurt bill to buy and eat the Greek yogurt on a daily basis and a lot of the others have so many bad ingredients in them. By making my own, I know what is in it — milk and plain yogurt for starter.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 08:01:00
Great post, thanks Diane!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 10:53:00
My dentist suggested I take probiotics when he prescribed
penicillin for a dental procedure. He
also thought it would help with unexplained bloating I often experienced. (I
have a cool dentist and we talk about all kinds of health issues…) To
my surprise I haven’t had a problem since, and I continue to take probiotics
daily. Readers: give them a try if you have
stomach problems!
Theresa
Aug 08, 2012 @ 11:01:00
I also make my own greek yogurt from raw cows milk. I love it and flavor it according to my liking. My favorite is cappacino made with espresso powder, vanilla extract and stevia. Yum! Between the greek yogurt and my fresh ground whole wheat bread….. man my intestines are great!
Aug 12, 2012 @ 07:11:00
Is there a way to get probiotics in your diet other than through yogurt and/or dairy products and taking them in capsule form? I have gluten, dairy, egg, and garlic allergies so that limits a lot of the foods I can have.
Aug 22, 2012 @ 10:55:00
Most of them are dairy based, although some companies do sell non-dairy, soy-free probiotics. Sorry I don’t have more information!
Aug 13, 2012 @ 17:53:00
Oh, I agree! My 5 month old son is on probiotcs and it has made all the difference in the world for his little digestive system.
Aug 22, 2012 @ 10:53:00
Isn’t it great that it is totally natural and really works?
Sep 18, 2012 @ 20:04:00
“Up until a few years ago, I had never heard the term probiotics. Not
when I was a newlywed at a healthy, normal weight, not when I gained 150
pounds and lived for 10 years as a morbidly obese woman, and not even
when I lost 150 pounds.”
Yeah right me too. I’m new to probiotics and I read a lot about this and it’s really amazing. I ordered probiotics supplements for me and to my family for us to see if it’s really good.