4 delicious ways to drink to your (gut) health

At this point, it’s pretty much common knowledge that you want probiotics in your life.

Wellness experts say they’re the key to a healthy gut, which in turn is essentially the secret to overall health—glowy skin included. And, according to pretty much every nutritionist out there, the best way to get your daily dose of probiotics is through your food.

But downing copious amounts of kimchi and sauerkraut isn’t always the most appetizing. Luckily, there’s a much easier—and tastier—way: probiotic drinks.

Certified dietician Molly Morgan’s latest book Drink Your Way to Gut Health features 140 recipes for probiotic-rich drinks, from smoothies to kombuchas to better-for-you cocktails.

“There’s such a wide variety of ways to add probiotics to your daily routine,” says Morgan. Smoothies just happen to be the most fun. In the book, Morgan breaks the recipes down into categories (think energizing, detoxing, and immune-boosting) so that you can find a probiotic drink that’s right for you.

Need a jump start in the morning? Try a Chocolate Espresso Bean Kefir. Feeling under the weather? A Carrot Kombucha will do the trick.

Here, we’ve rounded up four of our favorite drink recipes from the book to give your morning smoothie routine a major gut-healing upgrade.—Victoria Lewis

(All Photos: Drink Your Way to Gut Health)

ENERGIZINGPineapple Chia Colada Kefir

Pineapples are naturally occurring sources of bromelain, an enzyme that could help with arthritis pain (and is what gives pineapple its ability to break down protein, making it a great meat tenderizer). The pineapple also contributes vitamin C to this kefir; each serving delivers 120 percent of your daily requirement (74 milligrams).

Serves 2 (1 cup each)

1 cup cubed fresh pineapple½ cup light coconut milk½ cup plain kefir2 teaspoons chia seeds

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide among two glasses and serve, or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

HEALING Pumpkin Spice Kefir

A creamy base of vanilla kefir combined with pumpkin and cashew cream gives this beverage a flavor similar to pumpkin pie filling. Another key is the sweetness coming from the pure maple syrup. Why cashew cream? It is a unique way to add thickness and texture to a smoothie. It is dramatically different from cashew butter, which is similar to peanut butter. Cashew cream is made by soaking cashews overnight to soften, then blending them with some water to whip the cashews into a smooth texture that is surprisingly creamy.

Serves 2 (1 cup each)

½ vanilla bean pod1/3 cup plain kefir1/3 cup lowfat or nonfat Greek yogurt¾ tablespoon agave nectar3 ice cubes

Blend above ingredients to make the vanilla bean smoothie and set aside.

1 cup vanilla bean smoothie½ cup canned pumpkin puree½ cup cashew cream1 tablespoon pure maple syrup½ teaspoon ground cinnamon4 or 5 ice cubes

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide among two glasses and serve, or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

DETOXING Green Goddess Smoothie

If you have been reluctant to try green-colored beverages, this is a great starter smoothie! The sweetness of the strawberries, apple, and apple cider add delicious flavor to the kale. For a detox bonus, the apples contain the soluble fiber pectin, which can help you detox by removing food additives and metals from your body.

Serves 1 (1 ½ cups)

½ cup stemmed kale½ cup apple cider½ apple, cored2 strawberries, hulled½ cup low-fat or nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

Combine the kale, cider, apple, and strawberries in a blender and blend until smooth. In a glass, stir together the green juice mixture and yogurt until combined. Serve, or store in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

METABOLISM-BOOSTING Tart Cherry-Chia Kombucha

In addition to packing in 5 grams of fiber, this drink boasts chia seeds, which are hydrophilic (meaning they retain water); they actually can absorb ten times their weight in water, which helps you to feel full. Finally, the antioxidant boost that tart cherry juice provides makes this a perfect drink to refuel a tired body.

Serves 1 (about 1 cup)

½ cup 100 percent tart cherry juice½ cup homemade kombucha or GT’s Enlightened Organic Raw Original Kombucha1 tablespoon chia seeds

Combine the cherry juice, kombucha and chia seeds in a glass. Stir to combine. Let the beverage set for 5 to 10 minutes (for the chia seeds to absorb water). Serve or store in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

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