Food Politics

Funny you should mention this. I’m reading up on probiotics this week, as it happens. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of these high-priced techno-foods (as you call them) in the near future, because the science of probiotics is proving rather exciting and the marketers have a good nose for concocting “healthy snacks” (eyes roll).

But like you, Marion, I think I’ll keep my dark 85+% chocolate from traditionally fermented cocoa nibs (see, chocolate is already probiotic in its own right) separate from the traditional probiotic foods that occur naturally (though under controlled circumstances) in plain whole fat yogurt, creme fraiche, & cheese; kefir; homemade sauerkraut; raw milk; and perhaps kombucha. Cheap, simple to make in “my kitchen laboratory” and fun to teach my kid. No sugar added, either.

[...] Marion added an interesting post on Chocolate is a health food! (well, maybe).Here’s a small excerpt:I am so happy to hear that the French chocolate company, Barry Callebaut, is marketing a probiotic chocolate–one packed with friendly bacteria like the kind in yogurt. Only the company claims that chocolate is a better source of … [...]

[...] Here is an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI am so happy to hear that the French chocolate company, Barry Callebaut, is marketing a probiotic chocolate–one packed with friendly bacteria like the kind in yogurt. Only the company claims that chocolate is a better source of … [...]

[...] Marion placed an observative post today on Chocolate is a health food! (well, maybe).Here’s a quick excerpt:I am so happy to hear that the French chocolate company, Barry Callebaut, is marketing a probiotic chocolate–one packed with friendly bacteria like the kind in yogurt. Only the company claims that chocolate is a better source of … [...]

[...] Marion placed an observative post today on Chocolate is a health food! (well, maybe).Here’s a quick excerpt:I am so happy to hear that the French chocolate company, Barry Callebaut, is marketing a probiotic chocolate–one packed with friendly bacteria like the kind in yogurt. Only the company claims that chocolate is a better source of … [...]

For those that choose to refrain from dairy and just are not sure about those effects of soy protein, there is a limited supply of probiotics available.

Kombucha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha
is one. I think the probiotic chocolate is a good plan. Since the ‘biotic part is usually in a moist environment, will it really work? Will it just activate upon consumption?

Probiotics that are not dairy-based:

Traditionally fermented sauerkraut
Traditionally fermented pickles
Other traditionally fermented vegetables
Sausages made with lactic acid starter culture
Vietnamese or Thai fish sauce
Miso

It is true that miso is a soy product, but fermented soy is way better than fresh soy.

[...] writing a post about this entry http://whattoeatbook.com/2007/10/30/chocolate-is-a-health-food-well-maybe/ Stay [...]

Hello Marion,

Xocai Healthy Chocolate actually has a probiotic chocolate coming out at the begining of the year!! I have been using healthy chocolate for the past year and it has improved my eye sight from a -4.0 to a -3.5 and had banished my hypoglycemia!! My eye doctor couldn’t believe it becasue I’ve been a -4.0 for years. Once regulating my blood sugar all of my other organs have less strain

Healthy Chocolate is the only cold-pressed / acai chocolate w/ a 20 year patent and no refined sugar or waxes and fillers !! It chnaged my daily lifestyle you should check it out at thehealthychocoholic.com like I did

Can’t wait to try the probiotic becasue I have been taking a yogurt one called K-Pac from Whole foods which works great!! But I’ve been reading that chocolate can actually carry the probiotic to our lower intestines better and then we aren’t dealing with lactose. Love your site xoxo- Christy

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