Probiotics - the beneficial bacteria that help keep your gut healthy and your immune system strong - can be hard to come by unless you’re taking supplements or getting lots of yogurt in your diet. But thanks to products like Carpe Diem carbonated teas, now you can drink your good bugs - which is a lot more yummy than it sounds. According to ThisNexter Liz Oakes, Carpe Diem serves up “totally refreshing carbonated teas and waters which are a treat,” with the most probiotic-rich products found in the Kombucha and Kefir teas. Although they’re not exactly short on sugar (delivering at least 25 mg per bottle), both drinks are loaded with healing herbs, cultures, and probiotics that could boost your body’s natural defenses and keep you from getting sick this season.

While I don’t exactly identify as a health nut, I do consider myself a health nerd, meaning that I tend to dork out over products that offer some new and possibly even weird way to get healthier. Which is why I was tickled pink to see Anna’s shopcast on Kashi’s new Vive cereal. High in fiber and calcium, Vive is fortified with probiotics, beneficial bacteria that help keep your digestive system running smoothly. I’m psyched, but for those who aren’t very turned on by the idea of a bacteria-infused breakfast cereal, here’s an excerpt of Anna’s review:

“It was sweet and crunchy and tasted mildly of graham. There are flakes, twigs and little white round things which taste like the yogurt coating you sometimes get on raisins or pretzels. If you are use to eating healthy cereals, you will probably find this cereal excellent. If you are transitioning from, oh, Lucky Charms or Froot Loops, then you will probably find it pretty good.”

...continued: Get your good bugs

Iateapie.net’s latest “healthy food review” looks at Lifeway Kefir, a smoothie-like drink loaded with probiotics (“good bacteria” that help keep your digestive system in check). The review raves about Lifeway Kefir’s delicious taste (the drink comes in yummy flavors like banana-strawberry, peach, and cappuccino), which goes great solo or mixed with granola. Just watched how fast you’re guzzling down the 32-ounce bottle: With 656 calories total, Lifeway Kefir should no doubt be split up into its recommended four servings.

There are trillions of bacteria living in your gut. To make sure you've got enough of the good kind, Dr. Suzanne Friedman at Longevity Tree suggests boosting your intake of healthy bacteria called probiotics. You can get probiotics, which also help enhance your immunity and improve nutrient absorption, through yogurt and fermented foods. But in case you're not feeding on kim chee and kefir every day (and really, who is?), the San Francisco-based blogger/acupuncturist/herbalist recommends taking a daily dose of enteric-coated Acidophilus Pearls from supplement maker Enzymatic Therapy.