The idea of trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses living in your gut may sound scary—but this is actually normal and healthy. These microbes make up what’s called your gut microbiome.
Your gut health is about more than just healthy digestion. Since most of your immune cells live in your gut, this colony of bugs also impacts the function of your immune system, according to a 2021 study in Nutrients. Plus, your gut microbiome could impact mental health as well, considering your gut and brain are connected, per a 2023 study in Nutrients.
One way to help foster a healthy gut microbiome is by eating more probiotic-rich foods. Probiotics are living microorganisms—like the ones that reside in our gut—that get introduced to the body through food or supplements, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. We aren’t entirely sure yet which strains and doses are most beneficial since there are so many out there, but eating probiotic-rich foods is generally safe, especially for overall healthy people.
If you want to get in more probiotics alongside or in lieu of starting a supplement, there are a few foods worth incorporating, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut. These foods contain probiotics because they’re fermented with live active cultures at the end of processing.
Best Foods to Eat for Gut Health
If you’re a Trader Joe’s fan, there’s one food we especially love for a probiotic boost. Read on to learn the best probiotic food from Trader Joe’s and what to look for in a probiotic snack wherever you shop.
What to Look For in a Probiotic Snack
First and foremost, when looking for a probiotic snack, double-check that it actually has probiotics. The food labels of probiotic-containing foods like yogurt or kefir usually list the probiotic strains they contain. You’ll often see Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains since they’re the most common.
If you’re consuming probiotics to support your gut health, pair them with sources of fiber. Fiber is another key nutrient for gut health, as fiber supports the growth of good gut bacteria. For example, add berries or granola to yogurt for fiber. Some probiotic foods like kimchi already have fiber (it’s made with cabbage), but you could always eat them with whole-grain rice or additional veggies for some extra fiber.
Lastly, be aware that some probiotic snacks can be high in added sugars, which you may want to be mindful of when it comes to gut health. High intake of added sugars negatively impacts the balance of gut bacteria and promotes chronic inflammation, per a 2020 study in Nutrients. So, whenever possible, opt for a probiotic snack with minimal added sugars.
The Best Probiotic Food at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s has no shortage of fun, inventive foods—probiotic picks included. That said, we specifically suggest picking up Trader Joe’s Icelandic Style Skyr Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt. Here’s why.
High in Protein
Protein is important for promoting satiety and repairing and generating new cells (including muscle cells). This probiotic snack from Trader Joe’s has no shortage of protein. Each 5.3-ounce container has 15 grams of protein to help hold you over until your next meal or snack.
While other kinds of yogurt do contain probiotics, many don’t have as much protein. For example, a ¾-cup serving of Trader Joe’s Plain Greek Whole Milk Yogurt has just 6 grams of protein—less than half that of the Icelandic Style Skyr one we recommend.
Pairs Well with Fiber-Rich Foods
As you now know, probiotics are an important nutrient for gut health, but so is fiber. Eating enough fiber helps your gut microbiome to flourish and promotes regular bowel habits. Many fiber-rich foods are also sources of prebiotics, which act as food for the beneficial microorganisms in your gut. Plus, fiber can promote healthy cholesterol levels, reduce chronic inflammation and improve blood sugars, per a 2020 study in Nutrients.
This yogurt doesn’t have any fiber, but we love that you can easily add sources of fiber to it, like fruit, granola, nuts and seeds, for added gut-health benefits. We suggest adding berries, granola and a sprinkle of chia seeds for a nutritionally well-rounded snack. You could also add this yogurt to a smoothie with frozen fruit and frozen veggies.
Low in Added Sugar
Relative to some other flavored yogurts on the market, this one isn’t very high in added sugars. Each serving has 5 grams of added sugars—10% of the Daily Value. It’s enough to provide a bit of sweetness but not so much that it’s overpowering. This flavor also has vanilla extract, which helps boost its flavor without relying too much on added sugar.
Other Great Probiotic Foods from Trader Joe’s
While we especially love Trader Joe’s Icelandic Style Skyr Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt, there are a few other probiotic foods worth mentioning. Here are some of our other favorites:
- Greek yogurt. Any of the Greek yogurts at Trader Joe’s provide probiotics, as well as some protein. They can also be used in smoothies or for yogurt parfaits. You could even use the plain one in place of sour cream or as the base for a sauce or salad dressing.
- Kefir. Kefir is a fermented drinkable yogurt rich in probiotics. Enjoy one of the various flavors Trader Joe’s offers as a post-workout snack or as a part of a balanced breakfast.
- Kombucha. Kombucha is a refreshing fermented drink that contains probiotics. You can usually find a variety of flavors of kombucha in the refrigerated section of Trader Joe’s that make for a delicious afternoon beverage or mocktail.
The Bottom Line
To introduce more healthy bacteria to your gut, probiotics can help. So on your next trip to Trader Joe’s, we suggest picking up their Icelandic Style Skyr Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt. Not only does it have probiotics, but you can easily pair it with fiber-rich foods for a boost of gut-health benefits. Plus, it’s high in protein and relatively low in added sugars, which helps promote satiety while still tasting rich and delicious.
