Fermented foods have been around for a very long time. Most probably discovered accidentally by our ancestors, they also noticed that these foods are easier to preserve over longer periods. The fermentation of foods takes place due to bacteria strains that are naturally found in an environment. Thus, starting with the classic yogurt and going to cheese types, vinegar, and pickles, fermented foods are welcome in every diet. But, did it occur to you that fermented foods can actually help you reduce body weight? As you may know, the foods you eat can influence your body weight. Thus, if you want to lose weight, you need to eat the right things, besides working out. So, let us take a closer look at how fermented foods can aid in weight loss and other benefits brought in by this type of foods.
- The secret to effective weight loss is a digestive system that functions properly
While it is true that a healthy diet is very important, all depends on the way your body absorbs the ingredients you are offering it. This means that you have a digestive system that works right. If not, all your effort to eating healthy foods will not bring too many benefits. This is where fermented foods come into the scene. The bacteria that trigger the fermentation process are good bacteria, so they are welcome in our digestive system. So, instead of taking probiotics, you could easily introduce some fermented foods in your diet. Besides improving your digestion, good bacteria bring much more benefits to your body. They boost your immune system, increase the intake of vitamin B, fight off bacteria and even prevent the formation of cancerous cells, and help wash away toxins and heavy metals from your system.
- Pay attention as not all fermented foods are okay
Finding out that fermented foods are so great, you are probably planning to rush to the supermarket. But, it is worth knowing that many of the fermented foods found on store shelves are far from being great. While some may contain preservatives, others are made through pasteurization. Pasteurization kills the bacteria that make fermented foods so valuable for our health. Also, you may think that it’s awkward to add preservatives to fermented foods, but if they are done in a rush, not allowing the bacteria to do their job, preservatives are needed. Also, using chemicals will prolong their shelf life and make them look flawless for longer. Thus, you need to pay attention to what kind of fermented foods you purchase. Opt for products that were allowed to ferment in a correct and natural manner.
- How fermented foods help with weight loss?
Fermented foods promote an effective weight loss and reduce the occurrence of inflammation in the body. Both of these aspects are extremely important to weight loss. Inflammation is the process that leads to insulin or leptin resistance of the organism, a process responsible for weight gain. Believe it or not, inflammation presses on triggers in your body that lead to the accumulation of fat. Also, the presence of bad bacteria in our guts has the same effect. Thus, inflammation, a poor digestion, and bad bacteria are all responsible for our weight issues, among others. Fermented foods and the good bacteria they contain will solve all these issues. This allows for our body to avoid a set of problems and function at the highest parameters. The connection between fermented foods and excess weight that was discovered recently made doctors prescribe probiotics not just for obesity, but also for diabetes, depression, and other conditions.
- What to do when you’re not that into fermented foods?
So, you want to lose weight, but you’re not too keen on eating fermented foods. No matter how healthy they are and how savory other people see them, fermented foods are not for everyone. Plus, even if you would like to eat them, you can’t do it all the time. Well, you have a more elegant solution if you want to lose weight with the help of fermented foods. This is where the apple cider vinegar in capsule form comes into the scene. Apple cider vinegar is one of the fermented foods that are extremely accessible but highly effective for weight loss. Besides having a proper amount of healthy bacteria, apple cider vinegar will also boost your metabolism. This is extremely useful when looking to ditch the excess weight.
- Pack your pantry with fermented foods and you’ll avoid gaining weight during the cold season
It is well known that most of us gain weight during the cold season. This is due to the fact that we tend to eat meals that are more consistent when it is cold outside. Also, the winter also comes with the winter holidays, when food excesses are more common. Considering that veggies are a bit more expensive when they are out of season, it is worth stocking the pantry with a wide range of pickle assortments. You can pickle almost any type of veggie, so you will have a healthy food option at your disposal at all times. Cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, onions, bell peppers, apples, and watermelons are the best candidates when it comes to making pickling. Plus the process is extremely simple as well. You just need your favorite veggies, whole or cut in smaller pieces according to the jars you will use, and several additional ingredients. These ingredients are whole black pepper and mustard seeds, garlic cloves, and even bits of chili peppers if you prefer them slightly spicy. For an extra flavor, you can add small amounts of dried dill or laurel leaves. Once all the ingredients are in the jars, you will have to fill the remaining space with hot salt water. Close the glass jars with their lids and let them sit in a warm place. It may take from a few days to a few weeks for the pickles to ferment. When they are sour enough, you just need to move them in a cool and dark place and enjoy whenever you want.
