61: Fermented Foods Made Simple

Everyone wants to know how to get a healthy gut. Eating fermented foods for gut health can be incredible for digestion, brain clarity, and overall health. In this episode, we’re talking about the benefits of fermented foods and how you can incorporate more into your diet for ultimate health. 

Fermented foods have been around for a long time, and are consumed in some way by almost every culture around the world. 

What is fermentation?

Fermentation is when natural bacteria already present in the food feeds on starch and sugar to create lactic acid. THis process can preserve and develop:

• Crucial enzymes 
• Probiotics
• Nutrients 
• Vitamins 

Benefits of Fermented Foods 

• Makes foods very easy to digest 
• Supports healthy gut microbiome through probiotics nad digestive enzymes 
• Can be a great way to infuse probiotics into the system through natural means 
• Delivers nutrient dense foods to the body that are easily digested, assimilated, and absorbed 
• Weight maintenance 
• Lowers risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality 
• Can help with IBS, arthritis, mood, and brain activity 

What are some fermented foods?

Mainstream fermented foods include sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, yogurt (non-dairy options available), pickles, and kefir 

How to Ferment at Home 

All you need to get started is a few mason jars and some good sea salt. Make sure your work space and utensils are clean. Chop vegetables and sprinkle them with salt. Pack the veggies down into your jar and make sure it’s covered with a salt water brine. Screw on a tight lid and let it hang out in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight for anywhere from 14 to 21 days. After that time taste and refrigerate. 

For a fool-proof way of fermenting, you can purchase a fermentation kit.

Featured in this episode…

Farmcurious Fermenting Set

8 of the Top Fermented Foods

Fermented Red Pepper Salsa Recipe   

Cultured Foods for Your Kitchen Book