Food for thought

Food like yogurt are fermented foods scientists consider "probiotic". I have learned that harmless bacteria in fermented milk products might explain the longevity of certain ethnic groups.

Yogurt contain healthful bacteria and can fight against infectious disease. This is why human breast milk is rich in nutritional factors that foster the growth of bifidobacteria-a beneficial bacterial family that keeps babies' intestinal healthy and disease-resistant.

I used to have difficulty consuming yogurt and soon learned to blend with my favourite fruits such as mangoes, apples and papayas, we called it 'lassie' and really delicious. A daily dose of yogurt is good for people of all ages. Yogurt is also important for those wanting to lose weight. As a milk product, yogurt is naturally rich in calcium. Research shows that calcium helps reduce weight gain. Even small changes in the calcium levels of fat cells can change signals within the cell that control and making and burning of fat.

Always buy organic yogurt, and avoid yogurt that contains thickeners and stabilizers. I will buy small cups of natural yogurt without fruits from the supermarkets and make my own by using the culture mix with room temperature fresh milk. Leave it for about 2 days at room temperature and it then becomes thickens, can leave it in the fridge when need blend with your favourite fruits and consume as a beverage or your daily dose of calcium. Yummy !