{"id":6171,"date":"2023-08-01T18:59:19","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T11:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6171"},"modified":"2023-08-01T18:59:19","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T11:59:19","slug":"why-an-rd-says-kefir-smoothies-are-best-for-the-gut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6171","title":{"rendered":"Why an RD Says Kefir Smoothies Are Best for the Gut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">M<\/span>aking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/heart-healthy-smoothie-recipes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/heart-healthy-smoothie-recipes\/\">smoothies<\/a> is basically second nature: Crack open the blender, add a heaping handful of frozen fruit, a scoop of protein powder, top it off with a splash of your favorite plant-based milk\u2026and call it a day. Right?<\/div>\n<p>But wait. <a href=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/an-interview-with-lifeways-registered-dietitian-caroline-margolis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/an-interview-with-lifeways-registered-dietitian-caroline-margolis\/\">Caroline Margolis<\/a>, RD, says not so fast. According to the nutrition expert, you\u2019re missing the single most important liquid for making smoothies creamy, dreamy, and digestion-friendly. Yep, we\u2019re talking about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/recipes-with-kefir\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/recipes-with-kefir\/\">kefir<\/a>, which contains double the amount of probiotics than yogurt, kombucha, and most other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-probiotic-drinks\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-probiotic-drinks\/\">probiotic beverages<\/a> on the market. Ahead, we delve into why kefir is the ultimate ingredient for making <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/gut-friendly-smoothie-recipes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/gut-friendly-smoothie-recipes\/\">gut-healthy smoothies<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<h2><strong>Why kefir is so good for you\u2014and your drinks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Nailing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/perfect-smoothie-ratio\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/perfect-smoothie-ratio\">perfect ratio of liquid to solids<\/a> can make or break a smoothie. But if you take a look at most recipes, they typically call for the usual liquidy suspects: dairy milk, plant-based milk, juice, or good ol\u2019 H2O. But according to Margolis, \u201cKefir is the number one nutrient-rich ingredient you should be adding to your smoothies.&#8221; (Mic drop?)<\/p>\n<p>What exactly gives kefir the upper hand, Margolis says, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-time-to-eat-probiotics\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-time-to-eat-probiotics\/\">probiotics<\/a>. &#8220;Kefir is good source of protein, and an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients. But it\u2019s the probiotics that give it a clear advantage,\u201d Margolis says. \u201cKefir contains a more diverse set\u2014and at least <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/kefir-vs-yogurt\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/kefir-vs-yogurt\/\">double the amount of probiotics<\/a>\u2014than yogurt. This benefits your gut microbiome, digestive health, and immune system.\u201d Indeed, she makes a <em>very<\/em> valid point.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Kefir is good source of protein, and an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients. But it\u2019s the probiotics that give it a clear advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/\">Lifeway Kefir<\/a>, a cultured milk drink that\u2019s high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D, is Margolis&#8217; go-to brand for blending into smoothies. &#8220;What makes this beverage truly great for my gut is its unique blend of kefir cultures that contains 12 live and active cultures, as well as vitamin B12, vitamin K2, calcium, and bioactive peptides,&#8221; she says.\u00a0This, in turn, gives the kefir product its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihypertensive properties.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/kefir-smoothies\/\" current-title=\"The #1 Liquid You Should Be Adding to Your Smoothies To Boost Their Gut Benefits, According to an RD\" current-image=\"cherry-kefir-smoothies-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-02-01\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/kefir-smoothies\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/kefir-smoothies\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img decoding=\"async\" :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/kefir-smoothies\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\" class=\" js-inline-lazy-load\" src=\"\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>What\u2019s more, Margolis notes that Lifeway Kefir\u2019s unique fermentation process and the blend of kefir cultures also help ensure that the final product is up to 99 percent lactose-free and suitable for most lactose intolerant folks\u2014a win-win.<\/p>\n<p>Can\u2019t or don\u2019t consume dairy altogether? Say no more. Folks looking for an alt-milk alternative will be pleased to learn that Lifeway has a series of probiotic-rich, dairy-free, and organic cultured <a href=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/organic-oat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/organic-oat\/\">oat milk products<\/a> that come in various flavors, including plain, strawberry, mixed berry, blueberry, and peach.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A few quick notes about making kefir-based smoothies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>So, now that we know why kefir supersedes any other liquid when making smoothies, it\u2019s time to get <del>cooking<\/del> blending. But before you press &#8216;Pulse,&#8217; there are a few things to note. Due to kefir\u2019s similar composition to yogurt, it can be replaced in a one-to-one ratio (yogurt to kefir). However, kefir is more viscous than water, milk, and alt-milks. As such, it\u2019ll yield a thicker, creamier smoothie, so you may need to adjust your usual recipe to account for this.<\/p>\n<p>Ready to dabble in making kefir-based smoothies? This Barbie-core-inspired <a href=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/recipes\/pink-dream-smoothie\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/recipes\/pink-dream-smoothie\/\">Pink Dream Smoothie<\/a> is calling your name.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@lifewaykefir\/video\/7258813895878642990\" data-video-id=\"7258813895878642990\">\n<section><a title=\"@lifewaykefir\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@lifewaykefir?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@lifewaykefir?refer=embed\">@lifewaykefir<\/a> Any good movies playing this weekend? Before you head to the theater, let\u2019s go party with our Pink Dream Smoothie. It\u2019s a classic. It\u2019s fantastic. <a title=\"barbenheimer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/barbenheimer?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/barbenheimer?refer=embed\">#barbenheimer<\/a> <a title=\"\u266c original sound - Lifeway Kefir\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7258813912136223531?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7258813912136223531?refer=embed\">\u266c original sound &#8211; Lifeway Kefir<\/a><\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_1097497\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1097497\" style=\"width: 401px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1097497 js-inline-lazy-load\" alt=\"kefir smoothie pink drink\" width=\"401\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/kefir-smoothie-pink-drink_falsexfalse_true_70.webp\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1097497\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Lifeway Kefir<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Pink dream smoothie recipe<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Yields 10 servings<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Ingredients<\/em><br \/>1 cup frozen pineapple<br \/>1 cup frozen strawberries<br \/>1\/2 cup frozen raspberries<br \/>1 cup pink lemonade or natural strawberry juice<br \/>2 cups <a href=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/products\/mixed-berry-whole-milk-kefir\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lifewaykefir.com\/products\/mixed-berry-whole-milk-kefir\/\">Mixed Berry Whole Milk Kefir<\/a><br \/>1 Tbsp cherry syrup<br \/>Toppings: strawberry-flavored whipped cream, pineapple wedges, cherries<\/p>\n<p>1. Add all the ingredients to a blender in the order listed (except for the toppings and the cherry syrup), and blend.<\/p>\n<p>2. Garnish the rim of a glass with cherry syrup, then pour the smoothie in, add a layer of whipped cream, and garnish with the toppings of your choice, like pineapple wedges and cherries. Enjoy!<\/p>\n<p><em>An RD shares a comprehensive guide to gut health:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Dietitian&#039;s Guide to Gut Health | You Versus Food | Well+Good\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cpAjl3cFn6A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Making smoothies is basically second nature: Crack open the blender, add a heaping handful of frozen fruit, a scoop of protein powder, top it off with a splash of your favorite plant-based milk\u2026and call it a day. Right? But wait. Caroline Margolis, RD, says not so fast. According to the nutrition expert, you\u2019re missing the &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6171"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6171\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}