Hello!

SWAMI Xpress has listed kefir as beneficial and yoghurt as an avoid...what is the difference? I know they have different bacteria and consistencies...anything else?

Melissa

black dot, maybe?

The different cultures may be the biggest thing, but they also differ in the way they're made and macronutrient ratio.  Yogurt has over twice as much protein as kefir.  I like that the milk doesn't have to be heated to make kefir, that way I can use raw milk and still get the raw milk benefits from the kefir.

Quoted from Lola

black dot, maybe?

Lola - it's actually a complete avoid - no black dot...weirdest thing.

Melissa

Quoted from brinyskysail

The different cultures may be the biggest thing, but they also differ in the way they're made and macronutrient ratio.  Yogurt has over twice as much protein as kefir.  I like that the milk doesn't have to be heated to make kefir, that way I can use raw milk and still get the raw milk benefits from the kefir.

Can you recommend for me a good kefir recipe? I want to use the Polyflora B I bought for this purpose (actually, to make yoghurt, but kefir is fun too.)

Thanks,

Melissa

There really isn't a recipe; you have to use a kefir starter or kefir grains.  The grains can be purchased online or obtained from anyone who makes kefir and are preferable because they last indefinitely.  The starter can usually be found in natural foods stores or some grocery stores.  I love how easy kefir is to make.

Quoted from brinyskysail

There really isn't a recipe; you have to use a kefir starter or kefir grains.  The grains can be purchased online or obtained from anyone who makes kefir and are preferable because they last indefinitely.  The starter can usually be found in natural foods stores or some grocery stores.  I love how easy kefir is to make.

Thanks!!!

Melissa

Quoted from Melisa

SWAMI Xpress has listed kefir as beneficial and yoghurt

They have different ratings for me.

Yogurt beneficial / Kefir a black dot.

I can tell my body reacts differently to the two.

Yogurt the reaction varies some, but I can usually get away with eating it with only mild adverse reactions unless it contains avoids.

Kefir creates a strong negative reaction for me (Headaches and sometimes digestive problems).

Like others above, I definitely do not consider them the same even though they are both cultured milk products.

--

In some senses most cheeses are cultured milk.  But different cheeses have different ratings.

Quoted from C_sharp

They have different ratings for me.

Yogurt beneficial / Kefir a black dot.

I can tell my body reacts differently to the two.

Yogurt the reaction varies some, but I can usually get away with eating it with only mild adverse reactions unless it contains avoids.

Kefir creates a strong negative reaction for me (Headaches and sometimes digestive problems).

Like others above, I definitely do not consider them the same even though they are both cultured milk products.

--

In some senses most cheeses are cultured milk.  But different cheeses have different ratings.

Thanks C_sharp!

It makes sense - I like how kefir tastes and feels much better than yoghurt (neither makes me sick, per se...I can just feel the difference.

Melissa

Did you check "lactose intolerant" when filling out swami?  Yogurt is only sometimes tolerated by those with LI (I definitely can't eat it), but kefir is lactose-free.

Quoted from brinyskysail

Did you check "lactose intolerant" when filling out swami?

In my case, yes. (I presume the question was for Melisa)

Quoted from brinyskysail

Did you check "lactose intolerant" when filling out swami?  Yogurt is only sometimes tolerated by those with LI (I definitely can't eat it), but kefir is lactose-free.

I did answer "Yes" to lactose intolerance - ice cream and milk make me yucky.

Melissa

Quoted from Melisa

I did answer "Yes" to lactose intolerance - ice cream and milk make me yucky.

Melissa

I thought that might be the reason yogurt is an outright avoid, but C Sharp has yogurt as a beneficial and checked lactose intolerant so  

Quoted from brinyskysail

I thought that might be the reason yogurt is an outright avoid, but C Sharp has yogurt as a beneficial and checked lactose intolerant so

The reason that something in SWAMI is an avoid is often not simple or obvious.

Often people ask why SWAMI rated a food as avoid for them.  

It is rare that people on the forum can answer that question.

It can be any number of things for a particular food and a particular individual.

Only a few people know the internals of SWAMI the rest of us only guess. Sometimes we hit it, but most often not.

Quoted from C_sharp

The reason that something in SWAMI is an avoid is often not simple or obvious.

Often people ask why SWAMI rated a food as avoid for them.  

It is rare that people on the forum can answer that question.

It can be any number of things for a particular food and a particular individual.

Only a few people know the internals of SWAMI the rest of us only guess. Sometimes we hit it, but most often not.

Funny thing is, I've been grossed out by yoghurt for a little while now and was choosing kefir instead...hmmm.  

Melissa