Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I'm wondering how frequently fermented or pro-biotic foods should be consumed. I'm thinking of kimchi, kombucha, kefir, and the like. Say I intake such items only occasionally (i.e., not regularly)...would that negate any positive effects long term? I do feel a difference immediately after consuming (positive feeling), but I don't make my own fermented foods/drinks and it becomes expensive to invest in a kombucha every day or two.

Any points for scattering alliteration in this post?

flag	asked May 21 2012 at 15:08 BJ 273●2●8

I drink homemade kefir every day and sometimes several times per day. It does not seem to do me any harm whatsoever. Although we have not evolved to eat kefir, kefir was evolved by loving families to be eaten by human beings. – bachcole May 21 2012 at 16:47

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i'll give you a +1 also for the alliterive k's. – MiMintzer May 21 2012 at 17:03

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I think it's only a matter of getting used to it. For me I've been eating kimchi daily for years and I really enjoy it with dinner daily. I think if you just start daily from zero though your guts would have to aclimate a bit. – ben61820 May 22 2012 at 23:43

AmandaLP · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-22 22:08:21Z UTC

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At least Daily, if not more, as tolerated. Koreans eat kimchi with every meal. You can mix your ferments, like yogurt for breakfast, sauerkraut for lunch, afternoon Kombucha, and kimchi with dinner.

Once you get a SCOBY, kombucha is incredibly easy to make.

You will still get benefits if you consume less, but eat as much as you want.

edited May 22 2012 at 22:08

answered May 21 2012 at 16:58

AmandaLP
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I am making my own kimchi for the first time today! I know no one asked but still wanted to share. – coffeesnob May 21 2012 at 19:20

you don't even have to buy a scoby. I started mine with about half a bottle of storebought kombucha. – RR May 23 2012 at 0:32

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I started making my own kombucha because I wanted to have it as more than an occasional splurge. Now I drink 16 oz every day and it makes me feel amazing. I don't know how much of of that is placebo effect, but I'm not complaining. – Kation Jun 4 at 13:54

For those experienced with making improvements in their diets and lifestyles, placebo still comes into play. But it becomes way less important than say for a a newbie or for someone who has been sold something. Kombucha has also been amazing for me. – bachcole Jul 29 at 15:31

Nick · Answer 2 · 2012-05-21 15:52:09Z UTC

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I buy a simple jar of Frank's Sauerkraut, just the plain kraut though, the polish or bavarian style have some added sugars. It's only a few bucks and lasts me a week when taken daily. It's tasty and I feel much better when eating it on a regular basis. You could always make your own sauerkraut too, but this is much easier.

answered May 21 2012 at 15:52

Nick
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I was under the impression that commercial sauerkraut was pasteurized and lacked actual probiotics. Is that not the case with Frank's? – Anthony May 21 2012 at 15:56

Not sure on the pasteurization of the product. The label just says: "Ingredients: Cabbage, Water, Salt", but you do bring up a good point worth looking in to. According to my experience though, digestion has improved with a daily dose of this sauerkraut, the best part is it's cheap and can be found at any grocery store. – Nick May 21 2012 at 16:04

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If it's cheap and it doesn't explicitly say that it's raw I bet it's not fermented. The commercial sauerkrauts I've seen that have been fermented have been very expensive. – Sol May 21 2012 at 17:09

You probably can't get this as it is only distributed in western canada and Minnesota, but you can check their website kisselcabbage.com unpasturized fermented cabbage – missionman May 21 2012 at 17:21

I just buy Bubbie's or Farmhouse sauerkraut in the refrigerated section. Both are unpasteurised and don't break the bank. – Epic Beauty Guide May 21 2012 at 17:21

show 2 more comments

Johnny · Answer 3 · 2012-06-04 04:24:41Z UTC

I munch on fork fills of sauerkraut and kimchi in the kitchen whenever I'm cooking. I don't know what the best answer to your question is though...I think we're still learning a lot about how such probiotics work. I recently heard on Chris Kresser podcast that regular consumption of probiotic foods doesn't actually increase the amount in your body...that amount is fairly constant so it's the regular introduction of these foods to your gut that has positive benefits so eat it regularly.

missionman · Answer 4 · 2012-05-21 16:20:42Z UTC

I am currrently brewing Kombucha and water kefir. I just sarted both and have done it a few years ago too. It's pretty easy once you have the scoby and grains which you can often find on craigslist depending where you are. As for the amount I'm not totally sure, but i will be taking it slow at first to see how my body reacts. Something like an ounce or two

Frequency For Fermented Foods

4 Answers