4 Secrets to a Gut Healthy Taco Tuesday

If there's one thing we don't hear complaints about, it's Taco Tuesday. Everyone loves tacos, right?

“But what if I'm trying to improve my gut health, can I still enjoy tacos?”

We're here with an absolute resounding YES! Taco night doesn't have to be a thing of the past, no matter where you're at in your gut health journey. There are plenty of ways you can make healthy tacos and still enjoy your favorite Mexican dish. Below we’ll explain some gut-healthy taco toppings ideas and share recipes that include probiotic-rich ingredients.

healthy taco toppings like sauerkraut and other gut-healthy taco tuesday tips

Tips and tricks on how healthy tacos are done:

With a few simple swaps, you can take Taco Tuesday to the next level while still keeping your digestive system happy

1. Skip the taco seasoning packet

Store-bought taco seasonings are easy and convenient, but do you know what's in them? These are likely to contain inflammatory additives, anti-caking agents and preservatives.

There are some clean options on the shelves these days, but it's easy to mix up your own taco seasoning instead. You can control what goes into your body with this simple tip. This is especially important if certain spices are a trigger for you.

ingredients and spices to make your own taco seasoning blend

Gut Health Taco Season Blend:

3 Tbsp paprika
2 tsp black pepper
2 cloves Olive My Pickle Fermented Garlic - minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1.5 oz LiveBrine: Kosher Dill
1-2 tsp chili powder optional for heat. Add the amount that works for your tastes

Mix dry spices together and store in airtight container. Use 2 tablespoons of mix per one pound of meat. Add a splash of your favorite bone broth or tablespoon of ghee, if you'd like to moisten up the mix. This is especially helpful if you're using grass-fed meat, they tend to be a tad leaner.

2. Add LiveBrine Probiotic Pickle Juice to your Guacamole

Taco Tuesday is not complete without the guac! We love to whip up some guacamole with fresh ingredients. All you need is avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, garlic, salt, and sometimes we toss in some black beans too.

And here's our healthy hack to make it even better: add a shot, that's 1.5 ounces, of LiveBrine Probiotic Pickle Juice for an extra boost of gut-healthy probiotics and hydrating electrolytes. By adding LiveBrine you may want to reduce the amount of salt added. LiveBrine is our go to salt substitute in many dressings and sauces - now guacamole too!

This makes your guac both prebiotic and probiotic—your gut loves this! (No wonder we can't get enough of it.)

guacamole on chip with livebrine probiotic pickle juice

Probiotic Guacamole:

(Makes 1-2 servings)

2 ripe avocados - peeled, mashed
1/3 c. red onion - diced
1/2 c. Roma tomato- seeds removed & diced
1/2 - 1 whole jalapeno - diced *seeds removed for less heat
¼ c. cilantro - stemmed removed, roughly chopped
1 lime - juiced
1.5 oz LiveBrine - Kosher Dill
salt to taste

Mix ingredients together and enjoy.

3. Opt for gut healthy toppings like fermented sauerkraut or kimchi

Now, here comes the fun part – healthy taco toppings! Here's some of our favorite toppings you'll need for a gut-healthy Taco Tuesday.

taco toppings spread on table with gut healthy fermented foods

Gut-friendly taco toppings

Protein Keep your protein clean and lean for optimal gut health benefits.

Black beans contain a type of fiber called resistant starch. When digested, resistant starches produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that has many gut health benefits. Learn more about The Best Types of Fiber for Gut Health.

Avocado contains good healthy fats and is a great source of fiber to help nourish the gut.

Guacamole: Check out our recipe above for adding Probiotic LiveBrine Pickle Juice to your fresh Guacamole

try red & ginger sauerkraut for a healthy taco topping

Olive My Pickle Sauerkraut: Real fermented foods like Saurerkraut  are a good source of naturally-occurring probiotics that nourish your microbiome to promote a happy gut. 
Olive My Pickle Classic Fermented Kimchi: Kimchi is like the spicy version of sauerkraut. It's another fermented food that's a great source of good-guy probiotic bacteria that your gut loves.

Microgreens are a powerhouse of nutrients and are high in prebiotic fiber, which feeds the good-guy bacteria in your gut.

Cilantro is a natural digestive aid. It's been shown to release digestive enzymes necessary in the digestion process.

hand holding a healthy taco with sauerkraut and greens

PRO TIP

Eat the gut health trifecta of fiber, fat and ferments with every meal. Fiber means plants: eat lots of those. Fat enables your body to more easily absorb the rich minerals and nutrients found in ferments.

4. Ditch the flour tortillas. Turn your tacos into a healthy taco salad bowl instead.

Want to make Taco Tuesday gluten-free or Keto-friendly? Gluten and grains can be rough on the gut even if you don't have a sensitivity to it.

Avoid tortillas altogether, and add in some more greens and rice to make it a healthy taco bowl instead. Plus, a bowl allows for more space to add even more veggies.

PRO TIP

Don't want to miss out on the traditional handheld taco? Opt for gluten-free tortillas and shells (Siete makes some great options).

two healthy tacos topped with fermented sauerkraut and kimchi

Are you ready for your healthy taco night?

By following our simple tips for healthy tacos, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of Taco Tuesday any day of the week, without any complaints from your digestive tract. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your fiesta now!