Kefir

Kefir, pronounced kee-feer, is a drink made from the fermented milk of a cow, goat, or sheep. Water kefir is a similar product but has a water base instead of milk. Kefir is often compared to Greek yogurt, and in some ways, the two products are similar. Like Greek yogurt, kefir has a slightly sour flavor and is created through a fermentation process. However, kefir has a thinner consistency than Greek yogurt drinks. Also, kefir and Greek yogurt contain different types of beneficial bacteria.

It’s no surprise kefir is a popular beverage for supporting digestive health. The product contains around 30 unique species of probiotics, “good bacteria” that are known to improve gut health and that may aid the body’s digestive processes. It's made when kefir grains, which are colonies of yeast and lactic acid bacteria, ferment the sugars in milk, giving it a slightly thicker consistency and tart flavor. Similar to yogurt, kefir is packed with probiotics.

Buy plain kefir (instead of flavored) to skip added sugars. Due to fermentation, kefir has a slightly tart and acidic taste, which makes it tasty added to a breakfast smoothie instead of milk. Or try substituting kefir for milk in overnight oats for a healthy combo of probiotics and fiber.