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Probiotics Advice

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
BlueArmy

BlueArmy

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Morning all,

I have found Kefir is spiking my BG levels which is quite annoying. Anyone got any advice on replacement probiotics that don’t?
 
You could just try good quality probiotic capsules. They’re not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. I’ve found them helpful in the past.
 
OK thanks will look into that. Was looking towards something fermented / natural ideally. Read that its important for your microbiom to include kefir, kimchi etc in your diet if possible - the smell of kimchi puts me off though and I can’t be doing with buying a seperate fridge just to store it!
 
I love kimchi! *drooling* Um, but if you don’t like that, how about sauerkraut? You’d have to choose a live one but you might prefer it to kimchi.

Apparently, it’s really easy to ferment your own foods but I’ve never tried. Another thing to look into maybe?
 
I think the flavoured kefir is higher in carbs than the natural.... not sure what you have been buying but as with everything you need to read labels for carb content. Quantity is also relevant as always with anything which contains carbs. I think the stuff I buy is about 5g carbs per 100g so shouldn't have a huge impact if I have 100g but if I drank a whole 500g bottle it would.
Also if you are drinking it in the morning, can you be sure the rise in BG was down to the kefir and not Dawn Phenomenon/Foot on the Floor syndrome?
Just some things to think about. I really want to try Kimchi but not found any in the shops I frequent.... or maybe I am not looking in the right place.
 
travellor said:
What sort of spike for what quantity are you seeing?
Click to expand...
I drank a glass lf about 300ml before bed and woke up to 9.8 when usually I am below 6.5 fasting. Put it down to that as only had a tuna salad for evening meal and boiled eggs for lunch
 
and it was the unflavoured skimmed milk type. Will check the label closer
 
Hi, BlueArmy, I've been thinking along the same lines as yourself, and the other day purchased some Yeo Valley Kefir Natural Organic yogurt. It tasted fine but when I checked the carb value it read 6.4 grams per 100 grams of the yogurt. The tub contained 350 grams, so if I'd eaten the whole tub in one sitting (which I could have done quite easily) I would have consumed over 22 grams of carbs.

It is very easy to make your own kefir using whole milk, but you have to purchase kefir grains to start the process which resemble tiny pieces of cauliflower. The process is very simple. Just add the grains to the milk and place in a warm dark place. I used the airing cupboard. But I was producing far more than I needed and got a bit fed up with it all. I can't say that I felt miraculously healthier having it, but the experts say it is very good for us.

I cannot stand Kimchi or Sauerkraut, they are so vinegary and 'cabbagey', and are definitely an acquired taste. Inka recommends probiotics in capsule form, and I think this is probably best. If I remember correctly Bio-kult produce a very good one, but it is some time since I had them, so do your own research.

Best wishes.
 
Inka said:
I love kimchi! *drooling* Um, but if you don’t like that, how about sauerkraut? You’d have to choose a live one but you might prefer it to kimchi.

Apparently, it’s really easy to ferment your own foods but I’ve never tried. Another thing to look into maybe?
Click to expand...
Sauerkraut is an excellent sauce of probiotics. I like RAW organic sauerkraut as I don't like sharp tangy tastes. Pricier than some but natural and only available thru the post or health stores.
Or make your own. There are instructions online.
It is for the gut microbe system which probably won't make you feel much different but you know it is good for you... all the supermarket brands containing pre's and probiotics in yoghurts are very questionable.
 
Hi, Just wanted to report that yesterday I purchased some Tims Dairy Greek Style Natural Kefir from Waitrose, and really liked it. It was thick, creamy, and mild, and to my palate the nicest one I've tried because some of them can be too acidic.
 
What is the carb content?
 
NotPink said:
Sauerkraut is an excellent sauce of probiotics. I like RAW organic sauerkraut as I don't like sharp tangy tastes. Pricier than some but natural and only available thru the post or health stores.
Or make your own. There are instructions online.
It is for the gut microbe system which probably won't make you feel much different but you know it is good for you... all the supermarket brands containing pre's and probiotics in yoghurts are very questionable.
Click to expand...
If you make your own you could end up with a Sorcerers apprentice situation, my OH 's sister used to make it Kefir that is and ended up giving to anyone who would take it off her hands, she had to buy a second fridge to keep it in.
She moved back to South Africa where she is making 'weed' fudge which sells like hot cakes (quite legal out there apparently) 🙂 :(
 
Been on strong antibiotics last few weeks, after finishing bought pack of yogurt drink in Aldi to restore bacterial balance in gut, tasty & only 4g each.
 
nonethewiser said:
Been on strong antibiotics last few weeks, after finishing bought pack of yogurt drink in Aldi to restore bacterial balance in gut, tasty & only 4g each.
Click to expand...
Often antibiotics are not specific enough to target just the bacteria causing the problem so wipe out the good bacteria we all need for good gut health.
I had surgery years ago and developed a lung infection which apparently is not uncommon after 2 lots of anaesthetic and was given some antibiotics, well, talk about clearing the system out, the positive was I lost nearly a stone.
 
NotPink said:
Sauerkraut is an excellent sauce of probiotics. I like RAW organic sauerkraut as I don't like sharp tangy tastes. Pricier than some but natural and only available thru the post or health stores.
Or make your own. There are instructions online.
It is for the gut microbe system which probably won't make you feel much different but you know it is good for you... all the supermarket brands containing pre's and probiotics in yoghurts are very questionable.
Click to expand...

@NotPink I remembered this thread because I love kimchi and sauerkraut but had only seen it mail-order. However, I’ve now found some in the supermarket - raw and fermented 😎

I got the kimchi so haven’t tasted the sauerkraut yet, but the kimchi is yummy! Not super hot but very tasty! It’s a nice big fresh tub and just over £4. Sainsbury, Waitrose and Co-op stock it and possibly others too. It’s in the chiller cabinet:

Kimchi

Sauerkraut

BD7EE493-061B-4387-A5B9-390AB41453AB.jpeg
 
@Inka Thanks for posting. So interested to read this as I have been looking out for Kimchi and Sauerkraut for ages and my local supermarkets Lidl/Aldi/Tesco and Morrisons haven't stocked it so far. Really keen to try the Kimchi particularly as I have never had it before. My sister shops at Sainsbury's. I wonder if she could get me some. It is quite a large tub for just 1 person @400g. What sort of shelf/fridge life does it have if you don't mind me asking and how long once opened?
 
My tub of kimchi says it will keep for two weeks once opened @rebrascora 🙂 That was an important consideration for me too as it’s only me eating it. It’s really nice and I don’t foresee any problem eating it all within that time. A forkful or two makes a nice little snack. I had some with my lunch and it’s calling to me again from the fridge:D
 
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