Ancient peoples knew the importance of good gut function. To be healthy and get the best out of the food you eat, you need a healthy mix of good bacteria in your intestinal tract. The term we use for these bacteria is “probiotics”.

I’ve heard different estimates of the number of different types of bacteria in a human gut but the most common one is 39. I’m often confused as to how a man made capsule containing 3 varieties of bacteria can replace the 39! I think whole food is the best way to go on this.

Fermented food is what you should be eating. This is where food is preserved for longer periods without the use of freezers or canning machines. Good quality yoghurt is fermented milk. Sauerkraut is a German dish of fermented cabbage. Korean Kimchi is fermented cabbage with other vegetables and spices.

Many people, especially children don’t like the taste of these foods. What’s an easy way around this? Try making fermented carrots and ginger – look in the “Nutrition” section on the downloads page. You should also try making a yoghurt cheese. Keep the water that drips out (whey) then add it to drinks or fermented foods that you want to prepare. Whey contains many of the bacteria that are needed in the gut.

Yoghurt cheese and whey takes virtually no effort at all.

Buy some good quality yoghurt and strain it through a piece of muslin (you can buy this from a fabric shop).

What’s left in the muslin after a few hours is a delicious cream cheese. The water that drips out is the whey.

Collect the whey and store it in a jar in the refrigerator.
It will keep for a few months.

Add a tablespoon of whey to any drinks you give your children.
They won’t taste it and it will be doing their gut the world of good!

Adapted from “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon ( a wonderful book!!)