4 Secrets to a Gut Healthy Taco Night

If there's one thing we don't hear complaints about, it's taco night. 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 tacos gut-friendly and still enjoy your favorite Mexican dish. Below we’ll explain some healthy taco night ideas and share recipes that include probiotic-rich ingredients.

Tips and tricks on how healthy tacos are done:

 

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 you can always 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. 

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, especially if you're using grass fed meat, they tend to be a tad leaner.

2. Add LiveBrine Probiotic Pickle Juice to your Guacamole

Taco night 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.)

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 - taco toppings! Here's some of our favorite toppings you'll need for a gut-healthy taco night.

 

GUT-FRIENDLY TACO TOPPINGS

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

• Black beans
  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
  Avocados contain good healthy fats and are 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

• 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. Red + Ginger Kraut, Heat + Spicy Kraut and Turmeric and Cracked Pepper Kraut are just a few that make excellent taco toppers. 

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

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

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 healthy taco night that's 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).

Are you ready for your healthy taco night?

By following our simple tips for healthy tacos, you can enjoy all the deliciousness while keeping your digestive system happy. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your fiesta now!

Stock up on all the fermented foods you need:  Shop Now.