What is Kefir?!
Kefir milk is actually made from dairy milk and kefir grains, and it is 99% lactose free and gluten-free. This makes it a good choice for people with lactose intolerance. But since it’s made from milk, it has all the nutrients found in milk.
Kefir milk also contains more protein than milk! It also contains probiotics, which are very important for the health of the beneficial bacteria found in our large intestines. (Learn more about probiotics here and immune boosting foods here).
Many choose milk alternatives over dairy milk because they have a dairy allergy or intolerance. This means when they pick a milk alternative, they are using it instead of dairy milk, therefore their alternative should have a similar nutrient profile to dairy milk. This is where almond, cashew, and rice milks fall short.
What To Do With Kefir:
Kefir milk has a thicker consistency than regular milk, but it is thinner than most yogurts, making it drinkable. Kefir milks often come flavored like yogurts do, but they do come in plain with no added sugars.
You can blend fruit into plain kefir milk in a blender and make your own no sugar added fruity flavors. Plus you will be adding fiber by adding whole fruit, something you can’t get from fruit flavors. You can also sweeten your own plain kefir milk with a little honey or maple syrup.
It’s always a good idea to sweeten your own foods because you will likely add less sugar than food manufacturers do.
The Bottom Line:
Kefir is a good alternative if you are someone who needs a low-lactose milk. The extra protein and probiotics don’t hurt, either. However, there is nothing wrong with regular cow’s milk and if you prefer to stick with what you’re drinking, there’s no need to switch.
Drink up!
– Julie
PS – I have an amazon store now!!! The great thing about it is that I can pick out products and items that I use all the time for you to see. And double bonus – any time you buy something after going to the store, you support Cancer Services, the non-profit I work for. FYI – no one is paying me to select their product as my favorite. No conflict of interest – I only list things that I use regularly and/or would feed myself and my family. It’s easy to remember – cancerdietitian.com/shop. Bookmark it!!
Dear CD,
I am considering getting into the nutrition field. I am very interested in maintaining gut health by eating right. I already have a biology degree but I am older (55) and a male and there does not seem to be many of either in this field do you have any suggestions? Thanks Mal
Hey Mal, while it’s definitely not the majority, there are plenty of “guy-etitians”!! With a background in biology, you have a good start. I know several 2nd career dietitians, there’s even an academy of nutrition and dietetics practice group just for that! And check out the next Today’s Dietitian issue for some highlights on 2nd career RD’s. You will want to find a graduate program – coordinated masters programs would be the most efficient, but any school with a dietetics program should work. It could take anywhere from 2-4 years to get it done. Good luck! If you want to talk w a second career guy-ititian, send me an email. I know one who used to do marketing, then went back for sports dietetics. He was in his 30s. Never too late! 🙂
Dear Julie, I fail to see how this article on kefir had any relevance to cancer treatment or prevention? There are soooooo many health benefits to kefir and you’ve barely mentioned any of them. I found your sight through searching kefir for cancer so expected more from someone claiming to be an expert.
Same feelings as Ros when I read your article. Respectfully,Robin
Hello. I am on TCHP treatment for breast cancer. I have swollen lymph nodes in armpits. Because I have had sever diarrhea due to the chemotherapy and targeted immunotherapy (Herceptin and Perjeta), I have been drinking a lot of Kefir the past week. My swelling has gotten noticeably worse. Is this due to the Kefir affecting my immune system ? Perhaps, Kefir is not a good idea when I am being treated with immunotherapy drugs ?
Please respond to the question about Kevir and Herceptin. My liver enzymes are up, could i5 be die the Kefir o4 does kefir actually help with immunotherapy?
I can’t give individual advice since I don’t have access to your medical records. You will need to ask your medical team to give you advice based on your current medical status.