The word isn't all that appetizing, really -- fermented. It sounds like something that happens to gym socks left in a locker over a long weekend. But fermented foods are packed with beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, and can be a nutritious addition to a healthy diet.

What exactly are fermented foods? According to this article, they are foods that use microorganisms to convert the carbs in a given food to alcohol or acid. This prevents the food from spoiling, and also gives fermented food a nice tangy flavor. Examples of common fermented foods are:

• yogurt
• kefir
• sauerkraut (non-pasteurized)
• kimchi
  
  

You can easily make your own kefir and yogurt at home, if that interests you. Or you can find these and other fermented foods at your local health food store.

For more tips on what makes a healthy food choice, check out AOL Body's America Takes It Off! and their article on How to Stock a Healthy Refrigerator.

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When I hear the word "fermented" I think of the compost pile out at the back of my grandparents' yard, but fermentation also has an important part in our diets and healthy nutrients. It's all about probiotics and enzymes, and how they all work together with our gastrointestinal tracts to get the most benefit from the foods we eat.

If you're interested in this type of thing then this article from Alive.com is worth reading. It explains how probiotics work in your system, which foods are fermented that you may not have thought were, and how to find things like phytonutrients to put into your daily diet. Mmm, fermenting!

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