Kefir, a cultured milk drink, is the ultimate liquid to add to smoothies, according to nutrition expert Caroline Margolis, RD.

It contains double the amount of probiotics compared to other probiotic beverages on the market, making it excellent for promoting digestion and gut health. Kefir is not only a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D, but it also has a diverse set of probiotics that benefit the gut microbiome and immune system.

Margolis recommends Lifeway Kefir, which contains 12 live and active cultures, as well as vitamin B12, vitamin K2, calcium, and bioactive peptides. This particular brand undergoes a unique fermentation process that makes it up to 99 percent lactose-free, suitable for most lactose intolerant individuals. For those who can’t consume dairy, Lifeway also offers probiotic-rich, dairy-free, and organic cultured oat milk products. When using kefir in smoothies, note that it is thicker and creamier compared to other liquids, so adjustments to recipes may be necessary.

Margolis shares a Pink Dream Smoothie recipe in her article that combines frozen pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, pink lemonade or strawberry juice, Mixed Berry Whole Milk Kefir, and cherry syrup. The smoothie is then garnished with strawberry-flavored whipped cream, pineapple wedges, and cherries. The bottom line is that kefir is an excellent addition to smoothies due to its high probiotic content, which promotes gut health and digestion.

Source Article: https://www.wellandgood.com/kefir-smoothies/