Can Kefir Really Flatten Your Abs?
Find out why this good-bacteria food might just be the best thing you can give your body. (Photos: Mallory Stuchin)
If you saw any of this month’s Coachella fun, you already know: Crop tops are still killing it. And, you know, that’s cool. It’s not like we spent the entire winter eating for warmth—oh, that’s right, we did. Still, we’re not freaking out; we’re just doubling up on kefir.
If you’re not already a kefir fan, you will be soon. This fermented drink is kind of like a cross between super-thick yogurt and nut milk. And while, yes, kefir’s taste can take some getting used to, it’s “good” bacteria count should outweigh any doubts you have about trying it. It’s loaded with probiotics, which help keep your digestive tract in top shape (and, um, a backed-up system causes serious bloat and the opposite of flat abs). It’s also incredibly filling, so you’ll be less likely to crave more food as the day wears on. Win-win!
In these recipes, I used kefir in place of milk to make an easy breakfast bowl and also drained its liquid to make it into a kind of “cheese.” The toppings are interchangeable between the two recipes, so feel free to make a sweet berry-topped toast or a savory cucumber breakfast bowl. Any way you try it, you’ll be crop-top ready in no time.
Kefir Breakfast Bowl
1 ½ cups plain low-fat kefir
½ cup instant oats
¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoons raspberries
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Kosher salt
Directions: Place kefir, oats, maple syrup, cashews, and almonds in two 8-oz jars or small bowls. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover and shake or stir to combine. Pour into bowls or chill until ready to eat.
Related: 9 High-Fat Foods that Are Actually Good For You
Kefir Toast with Cucumber Ribbons and Chile Flakes
1 Tablespoon kefir cheese, recipe below
½ small cucumber, sliced into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
1 slice whole grain bread, toasted
½ teaspoon chile flakes
½ teaspoon olive oil
Coarse sea salt
Directions: Spread kefir cheese on toast. Top with cucumber ribbons, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chili flakes and sea salt.
Kefir Cheese
1 cup Kefir
Directions: Arrange a swath of cheesecloth in a deep bowl. Pour kefir over cloth. Refrigerate, uncovered, for up to 2 days until kefir becomes curd-like. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
By Mallory Stuchin
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