I adore that people are becoming more conscious of gut health in this day and age and are watching what they put into their bodies to ensure that their guts stay in good condition. In case you’re not familiar, gut health essentially refers to the health of your digestive system, which consists of your stomach, intestines, and other digestive organs. In order to stay healthy, your gut requires the right amounts of fiber, good bacteria, and water. Probiotics are necessary to keep the balance of microorganisms in the stomach.
The bulk of these probiotics are rather pricey in Nigeria. It’s not always possible to buy probiotics without busting your monthly budget if you’re on a tight budget plan. I am referring to amounts ranging from 25,000 to 15,000 to 52,000 naira. Don’t let the price of probiotics make you believe they’re not for you. Everyone needs a taste of its goodness. Read all the way to the end of this article to learn about budget-friendly probiotic food sources.
Understanding Probiotics
You’ve probably seen social media influencers say something like, “If you haven’t tried these gummies, you’re not topping your supplements game,” or something similar. The truth is that people could go on and on about various supplements and you would not be compelled to buy them. Why? Because you don’t know how beneficial the supplement is or what it does to your body. So, first, we’ll discuss probiotics and their specialized duties in the body.
Probiotics are microscopic living organisms, such as bacteria and yeast, that benefit your body, particularly your stomach. They help keep your stomach and intestines healthy and functioning properly. Some of the benefits include improved digestion, a stronger immune system, and maybe improved mental health.
Budget Friendly Probiotics Sources
Fermented food
Probiotic-rich fermented foods include yogurt, sourdough bread, palm wine, garri, fufu, amala, pap (ogi), fura, agidi, kwunu, tuwo, and tofu, among others. Good bacteria break down sugars and starches in food during fermentation, resulting in chemicals such as lactic acid. This technique preserves the food while also increasing its probiotic content. Consuming fermented foods sends good bacteria into the gut, which improves digestion and strengthens the immune system.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are unique fibers found in some foods that assist the healthy bacteria in your stomach to develop. They are like food for beneficial bacteria.
Prebiotics can be found in bananas and apples, onions and garlic, and whole grains like oats and barley.
Recipe Inspiration
To get your daily dose of probiotics, try incorporating probiotic-rich foods into your meals and snacks. You can try:
- Yogurt parfait with berries and granola
- Pap and Potatoes / Fried Yam/ Akara/ Moi-Moi
- Fura drink
- Kwunu drink
- Amala and Ewedu
- Banana and apple smoothie
- Sourdough pancakes
- Sourdough sandwich
- Oatmeal pancake
- Overnight oatmeal
- Kefir with oatmeal
- Kefir with pap
- Sauerkraut salad
Conclusion
Eating meals containing probiotics (good bacteria) improves stomach function and keeps you healthy. These foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut, improve digestion, strengthen the body, and may even make you feel happier. Trying these meals is simple and inexpensive, making it a cost-effective method to maintain good health.
