Kefir!

brittanyjeanxo
brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Never heard of it? It's basically a fermented milk that smells a bit off and, by itself, tastes like...well, sour milk. However, I bought some today at Trader Joe's thinking it was like lassi (a middle-eastern yogurt drink). I bought the low-fat kind, which has 2.5 grams of fat per one cup serving. As it turns out, it is AMAZING for smoothies! No ice or thickener needed. The one I just got done drinking was 2 servings of kefir, about a cup of chopped mango, a banana, and a packet of Truvia. It was so tasty! You can basically add any fruit you want to it, or go the simple route and add a bit of Truvia with cinnamon and nutmeg and it would taste great. I was going to post this in the recipe forum, but it isn't really a recipe, more of a recommendation. Just make sure you add a little something sweet, like truvia or sugar or something, because it really needs it. Only a bit, though!

Oh, did I mention each one cup serving also has 14 grams of protein? Not too shabby!

Replies

  • reojames
    reojames Posts: 96
    I love Kefir. Especially the blueberry. I have a cup every morning. I started it just for the probiotics, but I love it now!
  • brittanyjeanxo
    brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
    I love Kefir. Especially the blueberry. I have a cup every morning. I started it just for the probiotics, but I love it now!

    :) Maybe I will try adding fresh blueberries to mine!
  • sarabelle0
    sarabelle0 Posts: 49 Member
    I got a culture from someone and have been making my own Kefir for the last few years. That stuff is a godsend! It has been shown to stop (not cure) cancer from growing in lab rats. It turned my tormented digestive system around completely (regular, non painful!). Plus it's tasty and very filling!

    Love my Kefir! Wish I could get my hands on raw milk so I could make it with that.
  • lipglossjunky73
    lipglossjunky73 Posts: 497 Member
    I love kefir. I used to drink a soy kefir but I think they stopped making it.
  • brittanyjeanxo
    brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
    I got a culture from someone and have been making my own Kefir for the last few years. That stuff is a godsend! It has been shown to stop (not cure) cancer from growing in lab rats. It turned my tormented digestive system around completely (regular, non painful!). Plus it's tasty and very filling!

    Love my Kefir! Wish I could get my hands on raw milk so I could make it with that.

    I didn't even know about the digestive benefits! Perhaps I'll keep buying it, then. lol
  • sarabelle0
    sarabelle0 Posts: 49 Member
    The digestive benefits will amaze you! :smile:
    I used to have trouble eating...well anything. Everything set my system in a fury. Kefir from the store has a solid 10-13 strains of different probiotics which is much more then any other product out there. I use my own culture which has about 30 strains and I never have digestion issues even when I eat really spicy foods.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    I love Kefir. Especially the blueberry. I have a cup every morning. I started it just for the probiotics, but I love it now!

    Yes, I love fermented products.

    Milk kefir as you experienced (blueberry and strawberry banana are my favorites), Water and Coconut water kefir (i bought water kefir grains on ebay) and started making it myself. Kombucha (fermented tea) is another fantastic fermented drink.........

    Lets not get started on Sauerkraut, Kim Chi and other fermented cabbages. YUM.

    Fermented foods ROCK!!!
  • sarabelle0
    sarabelle0 Posts: 49 Member
    So true...fermented foods are so great! KOMBUCHA!! I am addicted to the chia/kombucha blends!
  • christina0089
    christina0089 Posts: 709 Member
    Love keifer and the health/nutritional benefits are amazing! Never considered it for making home made smoothies... Thanks for the idea!!
  • andrejjorje
    andrejjorje Posts: 497 Member
    Fantastic Kefir at Costco. Mmmmm.
  • MandaJean83
    MandaJean83 Posts: 675 Member
    How many calories are in a serving of Kefir? I am super interested in trying it. I already eat a yogurt ranch dressing containing kefir!
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    i love kefir!
  • brittanyjeanxo
    brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
    How many calories are in a serving of Kefir? I am super interested in trying it. I already eat a yogurt ranch dressing containing kefir!

    The one I bought has 120 per 1 cup serving. Plus, 14 grams of protein! 11 carbs, 2.5 grams of fat, 125 mg of sodium, and 8 grams of sugar. Not too bad.
  • brittanyjeanxo
    brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
    Love keifer and the health/nutritional benefits are amazing! Never considered it for making home made smoothies... Thanks for the idea!!

    You have NO idea! Just make sure about the sugar! A little goes a long way, but it's just enough to take the tangy edge off. Don't need anything else except fruit and kefir, no ice or thickener needed.
  • Mummsy
    Mummsy Posts: 347 Member
    I have seen that at TJ's but never tried it. I may have to. Thanks for the tip which resulted in all the good info posted. :wink:
  • akrzyzewski
    akrzyzewski Posts: 28 Member
    I love kefir too, I don't use any sweeteners in my smoothies. I use a half of a banana or frozen pineapple as my sweetener along with other berries.. What is trivia by the way
  • akrzyzewski
    akrzyzewski Posts: 28 Member
    .truvia
  • SparksFly460
    SparksFly460 Posts: 258
    Kefir is AMAZING I personally love the Lifeway brand. Great probiotic, lactose & gluten free. Many flavors many uses. I use plain in protein smoothies. Add some to my oatmeal. Add it to yogurt and fruit.....DRINK IT STRAIGHT UP especially when I'm in a rush to get out the door and no time to eat....just down 16 oz of plain kefir and BAM, 220 caories breakfast thats JAMPACKED with goodness to fuel me up!
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    Bump
  • brittanyjeanxo
    brittanyjeanxo Posts: 1,831 Member
    I love kefir too, I don't use any sweeteners in my smoothies. I use a half of a banana or frozen pineapple as my sweetener along with other berries.. What is trivia by the way

    Truvia is a zero-calorie, zero sugar sweetener that tastes just like sugar, made from the stevia leaf :)
  • reaolliemama
    reaolliemama Posts: 483 Member
    can plain kefir be used as a substitute for sour cream or heavy cream in recipes?
  • konswela
    konswela Posts: 137 Member
    I am doing the 17 day "diet" and have never heard of Kefir until then. So many great reviews on it. I will be picking up some today :)
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