GoodBelly Probiotics: Yummy Bacteria That’s Good For Your Belly

Lately, probiotics have become super hot. Like, volcanic in the health-food world. My mom has been eating yogurt daily to help with her gluten-sensitivity issues. I’ve personally found that they’ve helped with my immunity during cold and flu season. Heck, even the guy at Whole Foods was telling Tish and I that he swears by fermented foods and puts a dollop of sauerkraut on just about everything he eats. While I don’t think I could eat that much sauerkraut, I have made a point of getting more healthy bacteria in my diet. Sure, eating bacteria and fermented foods sounds gross. But it’s really good for you. Seriously!

Probiotics are basically beneficial bacteria that help establish a healthy balance to the intestinal microflora, some of which have been found to ease symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating and other common digestive ailments, as well as supporting proper immune function. Some have even been found to help beat depression and help with weight-loss. And one type of probiotic (there are many), Lp299v, is one of the most well-researched and documented probiotics with more than 16 research trials supporting its health benefits. So just how do you get this particular probiotic in your diet, particularly if you don’t do the dairy? Well, turns out you can drink it. We recently got to try a variety of GoodBelly’s drinks, and on the whole, they were a tasty way to add probiotics to your diet. Well, more palatable than loads of sauerkraut—and I actually like sauerkraut (especially on hot dogs at the ballpark…mmm).

If sour and tangy isn't your thing, these GoodBelly Plus shooters are just as fun to shoot and taste more like fruit for just a few more calories per serving!

Non-dairy, soy-free, certified organic and vegan, GoodBelly is basically a line of juice drinks that include Lp299v. I tried a variety of flavors, but the two I enjoyed the most were the GoodBelly Tropical Green and GoodBelly StraightShot. First, GoodBelly Tropical Green was like a green juice drink plus probiotics. With a blend of superfood organic ingredients like spinach, spirulina, chlorella, parsley, alfalfa grass and oat grass, this juice is also lower in calories and sugar (110 calories and 20 sugar grams in a one-cup serving) than most green juices and has a slightly sour (that’s the probiotics) and healthy (that’s the alfalfa grass) yet fruity taste.

And then there was the GoodBelly StraightShot. It’s well established that I like to shoot things. So these little 2.7-ounce shots of probiotics? Well, they were a super fun and healthy start to my day. With no-added sugar and just 30 calories, you get an estimated 20 billion live and active probiotic cultures per shot. AND the lids, once you pull off the foil (like you would on yogurt), have a little smiley face on them that you actually drink from. It’s super cute. And while the taste is pretty sour and takes a little getting used to, if you’ve ever shot tequila, this is no big deal. (And even if you haven’t, it’s still not hard to get down. Although everyone should do at least one tequila shot in her life, preferably after a day on the beach.)

So if you’re not one for taking supplements, can’t do dairy or aren’t a fan of sauerkraut, GoodBelly is a good option to try. Are you getting probiotics in your diet? Is it making you feel better? Tell us all about it! —Jenn