As part of our Natural New Year’s January checklist, we are focusing on adding probiotics to our diet. After trying out these natural probiotics, check out the Wellness category of our blog for more of our favorite ways to live healthfully.

Food digestion is a big deal, and probiotics help optimize the process. Probiotics are bacteria strains that improve your gut health. By balancing good and bad bacteria, probiotics help your body break down food, retain the good stuff, and get rid of the bad stuff.

As a point of reference, here are 5 of our favorite foods with natural probiotics to get you started.

1. Dark Chocolate
   It’s true, some dark chocolates contain probiotics. We recommend a brand called Cenavi. They make delicious dark chocolate snack bags that are high in prebiotic fibers.
   
   
2. Fermented Cabbage
   Fermented cabbage (or sauerkraut) is a great source for probiotics. Also, fermented cabbage is rich in vitamins A, B, E, and C and even may reduce allergy symptoms.
   
   
3. Coconut Kefir
   Coconut kefir is like yogurt, without the dairy (which is something we’re working on cutting down as well). It also contains anywhere from 10 to 34 strains of probiotic. In other words, there is a lot to benefit from by adding coconut kefir to your diet.
   
   
4. Kombucha
   A vibrant variation of black tea, kombucha contains probiotics that will support your digestion, increase energy, and help in liver detoxification.
   
   
5. Miso
   Based on a Japanese traditional medicine, miso soup is an incredible digestive regulator. Made from beans, fermented rye, rice or barley, and a tablespoon of miso mixed with hot water, this is a super easy, but probiotic-rich meal.

If you’re looking to add more natural probiotics to your gut, consider probiotic supplements, though always talk to your healthcare provider first.