Many of the products I write about are those I’ve tried at trade shows, or those I’ve become aware of only after their PR people have contacted me. But sometimes, I like to tell you about products I consume at home routinely. I don’t always remember how I found them, but if I like a product enough to use it repeatedly, why not tell you about it? And if the product happens to be something healthy, so much the better.
Such a product is Lifeway Kefir. If you don’t know about kefir, it resembles drinkable yogurt. Real kefir will always contain active, live cultures, and this particular brand contains more different cultures than any yogurt of which I’m aware. These cultures are, of course, probiotics—bacteria friendly to the human system. Studies suggest that probiotics may help with everything from boosting immunity to improving digestion to lowering cholesterol. All their varieties of kefir (and there are a great many to choose from) contain at least ten different probiotics; most contain two additional probiotics in a formula the company calls ProBoost, which they say is clinically proven to enhance well-being in several ways.
Kefir contains active, live cultures called probiotics, which may help with everything from boosting immunity to improving digestion to lowering cholesterol.
But there are more advantages to consuming Lifeway Kefir than merely ingesting beneficial bacteria. The milk used to make these kefirs comes from cows not treated with rBGH or rBST; the cows are also not given antibiotics. Their kefir packaging (both bottles and pouches) is BPA-free. Their bottles are completely recyclable, and their kefir pouches take 75% less energy to produce than rigid packaging and occupy far less space in landfills. In addition, Lifeway purchases sufficient renewable energy credits to offset 100% of the electricity used to make its products, thus obviating 2.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution—pretty impressive!
ProBugs, desinged for kids, equally enjoyed by adults.
I’ve tried quite a few of the types of kefir offered by this business, and my favorite is a product designed for kids, called ProBugs (my favorite flavor is Goo-Berry Pie). If you recall those flexible pouches I’ve mentioned, this is where they come into play. Lifeway notes that these pouches are easy for little hands to grasp. True, but big hands can grasp them just as well! They’re portable, single-serving pouches in a size that makes a perfect snack for yours truly. You don’t even need a spoon; you just suck the kefir out of the pouch via a special, built-in, plastic mouthpiece. All flavors of ProBugs, along with several other kefirs made by this producer, are certified organic, a nice plus.
Coming soon to a grocery store near you, Lifeway Frozen Kefir!
Last but not least, coming soon to a grocery store near you, is Lifeway Frozen Kefir, a probiotic, 90-calories-per-serving frozen yogurt alternative. This nearly guilt-free indulgence will be the first kefir product to hit the freezer aisle—beats ice cream any day!
