Do you ever get used to the taste of kefir?

[WearsblackLoveschocolateAvoidspeople]

I have awful digestive issues and am under the guidance of a dietitian.

Amongst her recommendations she has suggested that I have kefir. I don't tolerate dairy well so am trying a coconut milk version.

The problem is that it tastes rank, as though it has gone bad. I know it is a fermented product and it is supposed to have that weird fizzy taste and texture but my brain can't get past the thought that it has turned and will make me poorly. I remember trying dairy kefir some years ago and feeling the same.

My dietitian says it will really help build my microbiome to healthier levels but tbh I am wondering if a daily probiotic tablet would be more palatable?

Either of these are nice

Look for the polish ones in the supermarkets, the flavoured branded ones in the yoghurt aisle will be much higher in sugar so try and avoid those. Also it’s shouldn’t taste ‘fizzy’ sour/fermented-ish yes but definitely not fizzy.

If you don’t like it plain then try adding a little fruit and make it a smoothie.

This is an English version of a Latvian salad recipe - use kefir instead of yoghurt, you can add salad leaves to it too.

reciperunner.com/cucumber-radish-salad-creamy-yogurt-dill-dressing/

or Latvian cold soup recipe with beetroot, cucumber, boiled egg and kefir. It’s very healthy and great for the skin. You can also make Okroshka soup with kefir, they are great for the summer.

I drink kefir with lunch or dinner everyday, have done since I was a child as it’s still popular in Latvia and was always recommended for digestion.

I make my own, I quite like the taste but most mornings make it into a smoothie with berries and flax and find this very easy to drink.

Milkmani8- the Latvian cold soup sounds amazing- do you have a recipe please?

i have cows milk kefir every day, don’t find it that different to yoghurt in taste.

we trued the goats milk one for a while - definitely a more acquired taste but DH found it did wonders..to quote him “that was the best shit I’ve had in years”.

I love the taste and like mine strong. I find the shop bought ones mild.

That said I once drank so much I started to smell of kefir like it was in my sweat and down THERE.. I stopped after that as I had no idea why that happened.

I've been drinking kefir for decades, especially when working in post-Soviey countries as I found the local milk of low quality. I love it and find it much more palatable than buttermilk. Usually add a tiny bit of sugar. I'd feel a bit queasy at the idea of coconut milk kefir though tbh - didn't realize that was even a thing.

My DH loves it. Mixed plain kefir with cherry juice for his morning drink. Not for the faint hearted..

I've never tried it plain but I blend it with frozen blueberries for a smoothie, it's delicious and healthy.

Buy symprove op

I love the stuff, but I have no intolerance and imagine that if lactose is a problem for someone then anything lactose-ish could easily be disgusting. I hope you find a way tto ease your gut. It does sound like there are a few things you can do about kefir which might help you enjoy it more.

Try this stuff. Really tasty. You can buy it in supermarkets

https://www.biomel.life/products/biomel-dairy-free-probiotic-shot-dark-chocolate-14x125ml?selling_plan=409764007

Kombucha is delicious and so easy to make!

I have plain Kefir yoghurt. I stick grapes in there, and a few strawberry vitamin drops. Makes it more palatable. I don't like coconut anything.

I'm always a bit suspicious that shop bought kefir is active enough to do any good, especially the ones with loads of flavourings... I tried on from the chuckling goat and found it disgusting but treated it like medicine. However, it was making me so nauseous even at small doses I had to give up! If the more tolerable shop versions actually work maybe I should retry!

I love it.

I drink it as a smoothie too - frozen berries, flax, half an avocado.

Yes I've got really into it as I know it's good for me. I buy the cherry flavoured one and have some in top of my yoghurt nuts and seeds every morning.

Keep going!

Symprove is very good. It's expensive, but is actually clinically approved to work. Know lots of people who's gut health improved immensely from a course.

Water kefir is lovely. I use dairy kefir but tend to either have a gulp or two first thing or mix with chia seeds and fruit to make chia pudding. Or I mix with equal amount yoghurt, vanilla protein powder and frozen berries or strawberries.

You should try to stick with it and get used to it if you possibly can. Other (less effective) sources are kimchi, live yoghurt, kombucha, some types of sauerkraut, to name a few. I struggle with kimchi, tbh, but just brave it weekly!

That's a point. Mixed with fage yogurt it's much milder.

Love it . Drunk since I was a child, so it tastes normal to me, no issues at all.

If I eat anything pro/prebiotic it makes my gut issues worse!

Currently on a low FODMAP / bland food diet to eliminate triggers and I've noticed cutting out anything that 'ferments' has really improved things!

Add kefir to normal yoghurt. Or put in a smoothie.

I have drunk it in the past but loathe the stuff. However if it had noticeable benefits I'm happy to chug it down.
After reading this thread I've done a bit of googling to see if it might help me. I'm struggling with a mix of constipation caused by a medication plus gastritis.
Some report it relieves constipation and others that it causes it!

Also apparently there is an Aldi fake version of Biotiful much cheaper.