At first glance, sauerkraut, pickles, tempeh and kimchi aren’t the most attractive foods on the shelf. But it’s what you can’t see that makes these cultured and fermented foods a beautifying addition to your diet. Tiny, invisible-to-the-naked-eye bacteria that live on fermented foods populate your digestive tract with friendly flora every time you eat them. This healthy supplementation of your inner ecology strengthens the way you break down foods and assimilate their beautifying nutrients.
And there’s more: Increasing the friendly probiotic bacteria in your gut can smooth out the bumps in your daily digestion, cutting down on bloating, rumbles, aches and elimination issues (hello, flat belly). When you digest and eliminate better, your skin takes on less of your body’s waste-removal burden—and the result is often a clearer, smoother, glowier complexion! What’s more, fermenting foods makes them easier to break down and can dramatically increase their vitamin content.
Cultured and fermented foods are having a major renaissance, due in part to our developing interest in digestive health. They’re both trendy and good for you— but they’re still some of the best beauty foods you’re not eating!
We tried and tested many, and picked the best fermented foods for you.
Favorite Fermented Foods
Clik here to view.
High Country Kombucha
Kombucha can be high in sugar so consider this your gateway treat to lower glycemic fermented foods. Pour a serving into a wine glass for classy moderation.
Clik here to view.
Bao Foods K'chup & Hot Sauce
No doubt these are "advanced" fermented foods. They don't taste like the ketchup and hot sauce you're used to, but as a splash on your veggie burger or a dip for your kohlrabi fries, these two are quite exciting.
Clik here to view.
Jacob's Raw Italian Dressing
Like Bao, Jacob's Raw makes several fermented food products we love, but this dressing is especially tasty with a hearty mixed green salad.
Clik here to view.
Lancaster Organic Saurkraut
It can be hard to find, but keep an eye out for this yummy, pure, not too sour sauerkraut. REVELATION: it's awesome in smoothies! Try one of these.
Clik here to view.
Real Pickles
This seemingly lowbrow snack food is actually seriously good for you - if you find the right kind. Not the kind pickled in vinegar — only vegetables fermented in brine have probiotic benefits! They'll usually be refrigerated, not on the dry shelf, and look for words like ‘raw,’ ‘unpasteurized,’ and ‘live.’ RealPickles brand are our favorites for purity and flavor.
Clik here to view.
South River Miso
Miso comes in different ages and flavors (we think South River makes the best!) but it's not just for soup! Miso adds delicious umami flavor to hummus, and veggie sautees, and makes a crazy good glaze or marinade for baked or roasted foods.
