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Gut health is on everyone's minds these days, and for good reason: having good bacteria in your gut helps eliminate microbes, toxins, carcinogens, and can (plain and simple) aid digestion and make weight loss a whole lot easier. Probiotics, found in several foods and supplements, help restore gut flora for a more balanced and healthy gut — which can also add up to flatter abs.
If you get major snack cravings at night but aren't sure what to reach for, consider this excellent probiotic food, which will help you get a flatter stomach and improve your gut health.
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Plain Greek Yogurt
It may take a day or two to get over the desire for salty, crunchy snacks at night, but enjoying a cup of protein-rich plain Greek yogurt (sprinkle in a few nuts for good measure) will fill you up and provide so many probiotic benefits that your gut (and flat abs) will thank you.
Since all yogurts are not created equal, it's important to read labels and make sure the words "contains active cultures" appears somewhere on the label. Greek yogurts that contain more than one probiotic strain are best for you — with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei appearing most often (bifidus and Streptococcus thermophiles also appear in several yogurt brands).
These active cultures can do everything from relieve IBS, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues to increase the rate of fat loss (particularly in the belly) and even help treat chronic pain that could stem from gut inflammation.
Morning Drink: Kombucha
If you really want to kick your bad gut bacteria out the door, try eating Greek yogurt at night and then waking up and having a glass of kombucha before breakfast. This fermented drink consists of black tea and sugar (which makes it the perfect coffee alternative) and it's packed with probiotics. Drink kombucha 10-15 minutes before breakfast and it will really help energize you and clear your stomach of bad bacteria for a more healthy start to your day.
