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Two years ago I was delighted to learn about kefir's health benefits. I started having plain kefir every morning for breakfast, congratulating myself that I was getting its probiotics on a daily basis.
Kefir is similar to yogurt, in a more liquid form. It has its own combination of lactobacillus bacteria and yeasts as well as polysaccharides known as kefiran. According to an article on Oprah.com, "kefir" means something like "good feeling" or "pleasure". That matched my experience completely.
Kefir was a quick and easy start to the morning, delicious and satisfying. I was wary at first, looking for any signs of dairy issues. I can't drink milk without running into issues with mucus and an upset stomach. But kefir didn't bring any of this on, so I was home-free. Or so I thought.
I have been living low carb for most of the last decade, losing fifty pounds of unhealthy weight in the first couple of years. For some reason I didn't make the connection between my morning kefir and the slow but steady weight gain I also started to experience two years ago, until recently.
I had been chalking this regrettable state of affairs to being at the upper end of my 50s, and having been stuck in a chair most of last year due to muscle pain of different kinds. I have had these kinds of setbacks before, and I handled it -- or tried to -- the way I have handled it in the past.
I watched my diet, drank lots of water, went for walks, stuck with my moderate exercise program -- the one that had helped me to lose unwanted weight in the past. Yet I continued to put on weight, and went up a dress size.
I had tried to make my peace with this apparent indicator of middle-age ... until I read something that suggested kefir and low carb may not mix.
I replaced my morning glass of "pleasure" with steak, chicken or bacon. And after a week of this change, the stubborn bathroom scales and tape measure slowly began to budge. Over the past month, those numbers have continued to shrink.
This doesn't mean nobody should drink kefir. It's great for some people. And kefir may work for some people on a low carb diet. But for me, it's a mistake.
I hate when I find out I have been doing it to myself. And I miss kefir. But having lost five pounds of a spare tire in the last month, and with every indication that I can continue on this path, I can live with that.
Sources:
Dr. Perricone's No. 10 Superfood: Yogurt and Kefir. Oprah.com. Retrieved Aug. 20, 2013.
http://www.oprah.com/health/Yogurt-and-Kefir-Dr-Perricones-No-10-Superfo...
Top Superfoods to Boost Your Mood. Doctoroz.com. Retrieved Aug. 20, 2013.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-top-superfoods-boost-your-mood
Visit Jody's website at http://www.ncubator.ca
Reviewed August 21, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Add a Comment6 Comments
Was it store bought pasteurized kefir or home made fresh? I am lactose intolerant and started making my own kefir at home and found it has made a big difference in how I feel and my digestion.
February 18, 2016 - 11:41amThis Comment
It was store-bought and pasteurized. I should try making my own:)
February 23, 2016 - 11:15amThis Comment
Hi Jody,
This was a very interesting article! Loved it. I always wanted to try kefir, but after reading this, now i'm not so sure.
Thanks for sharing!
August 21, 2013 - 8:42amThis Comment
Hi Jenny,
Don't let this put you off trying kefir! If you don't have issues with carbs and dairy -- if you're able to eat a cheese sandwich without getting fat or sick for instance :) -- kefir could be a great thing for you.
Do you like yogurt? If so, you may love kefir.
I wrote this article for those poor souls who like me can't follow what's considered the "normal" healthy diet. I can't eat whole grains either.:) For people like me, kefir may not be in the cards. But it could be perfect for you.:)
Jody
August 21, 2013 - 10:08amThis Comment
Ok, i'm going to try it! I always see it at the store.
August 21, 2013 - 12:55pmThis Comment
Great. :) Come back to the thread and let us know how you like it.
August 21, 2013 - 4:03pmThis Comment