You’ve heard us go on about probiotics but what are prebiotics?

Nutritionist Natalie Ford (Clinical Nutritionist, BHSc Nutritional Medicine) is here to explain the difference between the two, and why both are necessary to get your gut health in check:

Probiotics are good bacteria that are found naturally in our digestive system to help control overgrowth of any bad bacteria. As well as getting a dose of probiotics through supplement form, they are also found in fermented foods such as yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kimchi, sourdough bread and of course, kombucha!

Look out for probiotic rich foods like yoghurt and kombucha that have minimal additives. Think of the less ingredients, the better. Why not try swapping out soft drinks and juices for a beautifully sparkling Kombucha flavoured with natural fruits? Or perhaps some sourdough bread with honey and ricotta as a snack?

We need [prebiotics] in our diet as they ‘feed’ our good bacteria so it can continue to flourish within our digestive system and ward off bad bacteria as well as support our immune system, mental health, skin, energy levels and everything else in between.

Prebiotic foods however, are carbohydrates specifically, that the body cannot break down or digest. We need these in our diet as they ‘feed’ our good bacteria so it can continue to flourish within our digestive system and ward off bad bacteria as well as support our immune system, mental health, skin, energy levels and everything else in between. Types of prebiotic rich foods include bananas, asparagus, oats, honey and legumes, so be sure to add these to your weekly shopping list!

Cheers to good guts!

Team MOJO.