Vegan Probiotics: Best Brands & Top Plant-Based Food Sources

Explore the best vegan probiotics and prebiotics, with guidance on how to incorporate them into your diet for improved gut microbiome health. Discover the top brands and the best vegan probiotic foods!

Probiotic capsules scattered across a tabletop.

Probiotics, often referred to as good or friendly bacteria, play a crucial role in our health by supporting the digestive system and overall well-being. They assist in breaking down food, fending off harmful bacteria, and bolstering the immune system. Residing within the gut microbiome—a complex and essential ecosystem in our digestive tract—these beneficial microorganisms are key to our health.

For those adopting a plant-based lifestyle, finding the right vegan probiotics can seem like a challenge, but doesn’t have to be. This guide is designed to ease that process, showing you some of the best vegan options available. We’ll highlight top vegan-friendly probiotic brands and natural food sources to help you enhance your well-being.

Selecting A Vegan Probiotic: What To Look Out For And Avoid

Navigating the selection of a vegan probiotic involves more than just health benefits; it’s about aligning with ethical and environmental standards. Keep an eye out for these key factors:

Vegan Certification: Look for products that have been certified vegan by reputable organizations. This ensures the product meets strict vegan standards.
Non-Dairy Base: Some probiotics are cultured on dairy. Ensure the probiotics are grown on a non-dairy medium, such as vegetable, soy, or coconut bases.
Check for Allergens: Besides dairy, ensure the product doesn’t contain eggs or shellfish.
Ingredient List: Review the ingredient list for non-vegan fillers, binders, or capsules. Some capsules are gelatin-based, so look for those specifically labeled as vegetable capsules or plant-based.
GMO-Free: While not inherently non-vegan, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may raise ethical concerns for some vegans related to environmental impact and biodiversity.
Third-Party Testing: Choosing products that have undergone third-party testing for purity and potency is crucial for ensuring the product truly adheres to its vegan claims. This independent verification helps confirm that the probiotics are free from animal-derived ingredients and contaminants.
Specific Strains: Probiotic strains are not one-size-fits-all. Different probiotic strains offer varied benefits. Identifying the right strains can optimize digestive health, nutrient absorption, and immune support.
Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Consider brands that emphasize sustainability in their packaging and ethical practices in their production processes, aligning with broader vegan values.

Best Vegan Probiotic Brands

Let’s explore the best vegan-friendly probiotic brands. I’ve personally tried most of these and love them. To ensure you get a good variety of strains and CFU counts, switch up your brands! These vegan health supplements are standouts for their quality and commitment to supporting a plant-based diet.

Please note that some of these brands are not exclusively vegan, so be sure to read the labels before choosing them.

Bio-K

Bio-K+ offers a range of vegan probiotic drinkables designed to support gut health and overall wellness. Their vegan formulations are dairy-free and provide a potent dose of live and active probiotic cultures, aimed at enhancing digestive balance and supporting the immune system. Available in convenient drinkable forms, these products are a great addition to a vegan diet, offering an easy and effective way to incorporate beneficial probiotics into your daily routine.

GoodBelly

GoodBelly specializes in dairy-free probiotic products that focus on promoting digestive health and boosting immunity through a range of beverages and supplements. Their line-up includes flavorful juice drinks, shots, and capsules, all crafted to deliver a powerful dose of live and active cultures without any animal-derived ingredients. GoodBelly’s commitment to providing tasty, plant-based probiotic solutions makes it easy for those following a vegan lifestyle to support their gut health in a delicious and convenient way.

Jarrow Formulas

Jarrow Formulas offers Jarro-Dophilus® Allergen-Free, a vegan probiotic supplement that provides a robust 10 billion CFU from six well-researched strains in each capsule, designed to support digestive health and immune function. This allergen-free formula is suitable for those with dietary sensitivities, as it’s free from major allergens including gluten, dairy, and soy, and comes in veggie capsules. Perfect for vegans and those with allergies, Jarro-Dophilus® Allergen-Free makes it easy to incorporate beneficial probiotics into any lifestyle without compromising on dietary preferences or needs.

Future Kind

Future Kind’s vegan probiotic is designed to support intestinal health, a healthy metabolism, and optimal digestion. With 30 billion CFU of probiotic bacteria, this supplement helps lower your colon’s pH for better digestion and improve protein absorption. It also supports your immune system and protects your gut from harmful bacteria. Ideal for those seeking a simple way to maintain gut health, this plant-based formula fits perfectly into a vegan lifestyle.

New Chapter

New Chapter’s All-Flora Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummies offer a unique and tasty way to support digestive health and boost immune system function. These gummies are crafted with clinically studied strains and prebiotic fiber to nourish the gut’s beneficial bacteria, ensuring a holistic approach to well-being. Perfect for those who prefer a delightful alternative to capsules or powders, New Chapter’s vegan-friendly gummies provide an enjoyable and effective method for incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into your daily wellness routine.

Pure Encapsulations

Pure Encapsulations’ Saccharomyces boulardii is a dairy- and soy-free probiotic supplement designed to support gastrointestinal health and promote a healthy gut flora. This non-pathogenic yeast strain offers a targeted approach to enhancing intestinal health, aiding in the maintenance of a balanced digestive system. Ideal for those following a vegan lifestyle, Pure Encapsulations provides a high-quality, research-backed probiotic option that’s free from common allergens and artificial ingredients, ensuring purity and potency in every capsule.

More Top Vegan-Friendly Probiotic Supplements Include:

Integration of Vegan Probiotic and Prebiotic Ingredients

Using vegan probiotic supplements is a great, convenient way to get probiotics. However, incorporating probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods into your diet can be a great approach to supporting your gut health. Integrating these foods is easy. Here are some general guidelines to consider:

Start Slowly: If you’re new to fermented foods or high-fiber prebiotic foods, begin with small amounts to see how your body reacts. This can help your digestive system adjust without discomfort.
Variety is Key: Aim for a variety of probiotic-rich foods and prebiotic fibers in your diet, like the ones in the lists below. This helps create a diverse gut microbiota and ensures you get a broad spectrum of nutrients from different sources.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds to different probiotic and prebiotic foods. Adjust your intake based on your own digestive comfort and wellness needs.
Natural Sources: Whenever possible, opt for natural probiotic and prebiotic vegan food sources. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and plant-based yogurts are excellent for probiotics, while foods like garlic, onions, bananas, and asparagus can offer valuable prebiotic fibers.

Below are lists of some of the top sources of vegan foods rich in probiotics for plant-based digestive health. Included are some suggestions for pairing them with plant-based prebiotic sources to help boost your overall vegan gut health.

The Best Vegan Probiotic Foods

Exploring vegan probiotic foods is an easy way to enrich your diet with the beneficial bacteria essential for optimal gut health. These fermented plant-based foods offer a diverse range of flavors and probiotic benefits for vegans, making them a delicious way to support your digestive wellness.

Kimchi

Why It’s Great: Kimchi is a spicy Korean fermented vegetable dish, often made with cabbage and radishes, loaded with probiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants.
How to Include It: Use kimchi as a flavorful topping for rice dishes, stir-fries, sushi, or noodle bowls to enhance your dishes with its unique taste and health benefits.

A piece of vegan sushi, held up against a dark background.

Kombucha

Why It’s Great: Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage teeming with probiotic cultures. It’s celebrated for its natural gut support and its detoxifying properties.
How to Include It: Enjoy kombucha as a refreshing, fizzy drink alternative to sodas, perfect for gut health support throughout the day.

Miso

Why It’s Great: Miso, a fermented soybean paste, is packed with probiotics, enzymes, and essential nutrients, contributing to digestive health and immune support.
How to Include It: Incorporate miso into soups, dressings, marinades, and even vegan mac and cheese to add depth of flavor and probiotic benefits to your meals.

Natto

Why It’s Great: Natto, fermented soybeans, is a staple in Japanese cuisine, known for its high probiotic content, vitamins, and enzymes that support digestive health.
How to Include It: Serve natto over rice, mixed with mustard and soy sauce, for a traditional breakfast or as a unique addition to your meals.

Pickled Vegetables

Why It’s Great: Vegetables pickled in a saltwater brine (not vinegar) are excellent probiotic sources. They also offer vitamins and a healthy dose of fiber.
How to Include It: Add pickled vegetables to salads, bowls, or enjoy them as a snack to introduce more probiotics into your diet.

Sauerkraut

Why It’s Great: Sauerkraut, fermented cabbage, is rich in probiotics, vitamins, and fiber. Its fermentation process promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria.
How to Include It: Add sauerkraut to salads, sandwiches, or as a side dish to boost your meals with a tangy flavor and probiotic benefits.

Sourdough Bread

Why It’s Great: The natural fermentation process of sourdough bread produces probiotics and makes it a gut-friendly alternative to conventional bread.
How to Include It: Enjoy sourdough bread toasted with avocado, as a base for your favorite sandwich, or alongside soup for added probiotics.

Tempeh

Why It’s Great: Tempeh, a fermented soybean product, is a fantastic source of probiotics, protein, and fiber, making it a nutritious meat alternative for vegans.
How to Include It: Marinate and bake tempeh to create the best vegan tempeh Reuben you’ve ever tried, or crumble it into stir-fries and salads for a protein-packed addition.

Vegan Yogurt

Why It’s Great: Vegan yogurt made from coconut, almond, or soy milk can be fortified with probiotic cultures, offering a dairy-free way to support gut health.
How to Include It: Use vegan yogurt in smoothies, bowls, or as a base for creamy salad dressings for a daily dose of probiotics.

One hand holding a spoonful of coconut yogurt over a jar of coconut yogurt.

Water Kefir

Why It’s Great: Water kefir is a fermented beverage made from water kefir grains, offering a dairy-free probiotic drink that’s rich in beneficial bacteria.
How to Include It: Drink water kefir on its own, or use it as a base for fruit-flavored probiotic beverages.

Incorporating these vegan probiotic foods into your diet can significantly enhance your gut health and overall wellbeing, offering delicious and varied ways to enjoy the benefits of probiotics.

What Are Prebiotics And How Do They Work With Probiotics?

Prebiotics are essentially the food that feeds probiotics, the beneficial bacteria in our gut. They are non-digestible fibers found in various plant-based foods. When we consume prebiotic-rich foods, these fibers pass through our digestive system largely undigested and reach the colon, where they are fermented by the probiotic bacteria. This fermentation process not only helps the probiotics to grow and flourish but also leads to the production of beneficial substances that support our digestive health, reinforcing the gut’s natural defenses and helping to reduce discomfort and inflammation.

The relationship between prebiotics and probiotics is symbiotic. Probiotics depend on prebiotics for nourishment, and in turn, a thriving probiotic population can enhance our gut health and overall well-being.

The Best Vegan Prebiotic Foods

These vegan prebiotic powerhouses are not only versatile and delicious but also play a crucial role in supporting gut health. They enhance the benefits of probiotics in your diet by offering prebiotic dietary fiber.

Apples

Why They’re Great: Apples contain pectin, a natural prebiotic that supports digestion and helps feed the good bacteria in the gut.
How to Include Them: Eat apples raw for a crunchy snack, bake them into desserts, or add slices to salads for a sweet, fibrous boost.

Asparagus

Why It’s Great: Asparagus is another excellent source of inulin, known to increase the population of friendly bacteria in the gut.
How to Include It: Grill, roast, or steam asparagus spears as a side dish or in vegan sushi, or chop them into salads for a crunchy, prebiotic-rich addition.

Bananas

Why They’re Great: Bananas, particularly when slightly green, are a good source of resistant starch, a prebiotic that feeds beneficial gut bacteria.
How to Include Them: Enjoy bananas as a snack, slice them into cereal or oatmeal, or blend them into smoothies for a sweet, prebiotic treat.

Barley

Why It’s Great: Barley is a whole grain that’s not only nutritious but also packed with beta-glucan, a prebiotic fiber that nourishes the gut.
How to Include It: Use barley in soups, stews, salads, or as a hearty alternative to rice.

Chicory Root

Why It’s Great: Chicory root is one of the best sources of inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber. It helps nourish the good bacteria in the gut, supporting overall digestive health.
How to Include It: Incorporate chicory root into your diet by adding it to your morning coffee or using it as a flour substitute in baking for a prebiotic boost.

Flaxseeds

Why They’re Great: Flaxseeds are loaded with prebiotic fibers that can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome and support digestive health.
How to Include Them: Sprinkle ground flaxseeds over your breakfast cereal, blend them into smoothies, or use them as an egg substitute in vegan baking.

Garlic

Why It’s Great: Garlic acts as a prebiotic by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and preventing harmful bacteria from flourishing. It’s also known for its immune-boosting properties.
How to Include It: Add fresh garlic to sauces, dressings, sautéed vegetables, or confit them for a flavor-packed prebiotic punch.

Leeks

Why They’re Great: Leeks, like garlic and onions, are high in prebiotic fibers that support a healthy gut microbiome and immune system.
How to Include Them: Add sliced leeks to pies, quiches, or as a flavorful base for soups and broths.

Oats

Why They’re Great: Oats are a fantastic source of beta-glucan fiber, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and enhancing gut health.
How to Include Them: Start your day with a bowl of oatmeal or muesli, or bake oats into cookies and granola for a healthy, prebiotic-rich snack.

Two hands holding up jars of toasted muesli.

Onions

Why They’re Great: Onions are rich in inulin and FOS (fructooligosaccharides), which help improve gut health, aid digestion, and enhance the absorption of nutrients.
How to Include Them: Use onions in virtually any savory dish—raw in salads, caramelized as a topping, or cooked into soups and stews.

Incorporating these vegan prebiotic foods into your diet not only supports your gut health but also enriches your meals with a variety of textures and flavors.

More Supplements To Consider For Gut Health

If you’d rather take supplements for gut health, choosing a prebiotic or fiber powder is another way to give it a boost. This Gut Health and Fiber Supplement Powder from Naked Nutrition provides an easy and convenient option.

Creative Combos: Probiotic and Prebiotic Vegan Recipes

Combine probiotics and prebiotics with these five recipe ideas for delicious ways to support your gut health with every bite.

Berry And Banana Smoothie
Blend your favorite vegan probiotic yogurt with a mix of berries, a banana for prebiotic fiber, and a dash of chia seeds. It’s a refreshing, gut-friendly start to your day or a perfect post-workout snack.

Kimchi Fried Quinoa
Give your fried rice a probiotic makeover by using quinoa for extra prebiotic fiber and stirring in kimchi for a flavorful, probiotic punch. Add in some garlic and onions for an extra prebiotic boost, making this dish a gut health powerhouse.

Sauerkraut and Apple Slaw
Combine shredded cabbage sauerkraut with thinly sliced apples, carrots, and a touch of olive oil and apple cider vinegar for a tangy, crunchy side dish. The sauerkraut brings probiotics, while the apples and carrots offer prebiotic benefits.

Tempeh Tacos with Garlic and Onion Salsa
Marinate tempeh in lime juice, cumin, and paprika, then grill or sauté for a probiotic-rich filling. Serve in corn tortillas with a homemade salsa made from garlic, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro for a delicious meal that feeds your microbiome.

Vegan Yogurt Parfait with Granola
Layer vegan probiotic yogurt with homemade granola that includes oats, flaxseeds, and nuts. Top with fresh or stewed fruit like berries or peaches for a dessert or breakfast that’s both indulgent and good for your gut.

Additional Resources

In Conclusion

Embracing a diet rich in both probiotics and prebiotics is a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy, vibrant gut microbiome, especially for those following a vegan lifestyle. Through this guide, we’ve explored how to carefully choose vegan probiotics that align with ethical standards and highlighted delicious, natural prebiotic foods to support and nourish your digestive system. The path to a happy gut is paved with informed choices and diverse, nutrient-rich foods!

While this article provides valuable insights into vegan probiotics and prebiotics, enhancing your diet for gut health, it’s important to remember that everyone’s digestive system is unique. The effectiveness of probiotic supplements can vary, and they are part of a largely self-regulated industry.

Therefore, it’s wise to talk to your doctor, especially when considering supplements, to tailor dietary choices to your individual health needs. Remember, integrating natural food sources alongside or instead of supplements can be an effective way to support your gut health, ensuring you derive the most benefit from your plant-based diet.

FAQs

How do vegans get probiotics?

Vegans can obtain probiotics through fermented plant-based foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, and vegan yogurts made from almond, coconut, soy, or other non-dairy milks. Additionally, vegan probiotic supplements are available, providing a convenient way to include these beneficial bacteria in their diet. These sources ensure that vegans can support their gut health while adhering to their dietary preferences.

Is there a plant-based probiotic?

Vegan probiotic supplements are available for those who prefer a direct and convenient source of probiotics without consuming fermented foods. These supplements are derived from non-animal sources and are designed to support gut health, immune function, and overall well-being. They come in various forms, such as capsules, powders, and liquid shots, making it easy for individuals following a vegan lifestyle to incorporate probiotics into their diet.

What’s the difference between a prebiotic and a probiotic?

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that can contribute to gut health by supporting the balance of gut flora, found in fermented foods and supplements. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are non-digestible fibers that feed these beneficial bacteria, promoting their growth and activity, and are found in foods like bananas, onions, garlic, and whole grains. Essentially, probiotics add to the population of good bacteria in the gut, while prebiotics provide the food needed to nourish and increase those beneficial bacteria.

What are vegan probiotics made from?

Vegan probiotics are produced using microorganisms grown on plant-based substrates, such as non-dairy sugars, ensuring no animal-derived ingredients are involved. These beneficial bacteria, including strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are harvested from vegan-friendly environments. The final products, available in forms like capsules, powders, and liquids, are meticulously processed to adhere to strict vegan standards throughout their production.

How many daily CFUs of vegan probiotics are recommended?

The recommended daily intake of CFUs (colony-forming units) for probiotics varies depending on the individual’s health goals and conditions. Generally, for maintaining digestive health and supporting the immune system, doses can range from 1 billion to 10 billion CFUs per day. For specific health issues, higher doses may be recommended, sometimes up to 20 billion CFUs or more. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate dose based on personal health needs and the specific strains of probiotics being used.