We hear “functional foods” more and more in wellness circles. At its core, a functional food is one that goes beyond basic nutrition (like vitamins and minerals) to deliver a specific health benefit, like support for gut health, immunity, stress response, energy, or cognitive function. This idea falls under functional nutrition, which focuses not just on what you eat, but how those foods function in your body.
In practice, functional foods are everyday eats or drinks, like yogurts with probiotics, teas with adaptogens, and snack bars with mushrooms, items that offer more than just calories. Below, we walk through some of the most compelling categories, along with examples you can find at Misfits Market today.
Probiotics & Gut Support
Your gut is tied to so many systems—immune health, mood, digestion—and probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain balance in your gut. Prebiotics feed those probiotics. Recognizing the difference—probiotic vs prebiotic—is key to choosing functional foods that truly support your microbiome. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. While probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide health benefits.
Try These from Misfits Market
- Wildwonder Prebiotic + Probiotic Sparkling Drink — a bubbly, flavorful option that blends both prebiotics and probiotics
- Remedy Kombucha – Lemon Ginger — classic kombucha that provides live cultures
- Brew Dr. Kombucha — various flavors for different vibes
- Brew Dr. Kombucha Clear Mind — formulated with botanicals that might support focus
- Nounós Handcrafted Greek Strained Yogurt — a delicious authentic Greek yogurt using traditional yogurt-making methods
Most of these are examples of probiotic drinks (and in some cases, blends with prebiotics). When you see “probiotic soda” or “probiotic drink,” know that many fermented, cultured, or live-culture beverages fall under that umbrella.
Signs probiotics are working? They differ by person, but some common ones: more regular digestion, less bloating, and sometimes more energy.
Functional Beverages & Shots
Functional drinks often incorporate vitamins, spices, superfoods, herbs, and compounds (turmeric, ginger, greens) that deliver targeted benefits like energy boost, anti-inflammatory support, and detox. Drinks and shots let you get powerful ingredients in an easy, fast format.
Try These from Misfits Market
- Sol-ti Supershot – Superboost & Sol-ti Supershot – Turmeric — concentrated shots designed for quick nutrient hits
- Sofresco Ginger Immunity Shot — ginger-forward with immune-support potential
- Sofresco Detox Shot – Pineapple Spirulina — for those days you want a little reset in a sip
- Odds & Ends Cold-Pressed Juice – Green Apple Avocado — refreshing functional juice with fruit plus healthy fats
- Noka Superfood Smoothies – Strawberry Pineapple — smoothie blends that lean functional
- OWYN Ready-to-Drink Protein Shake – Smooth Vanilla — protein plus functional nutrients for recovery and balance
- Tusol Wellness Organic Protein Superfood Smoothie Mix — ready-to-mix blend for convenience and function
Adaptogens, Mushrooms, & Stress Support
Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that may help your body adapt to stress, support energy, mood, immune function, and more. When combined thoughtfully, they can be powerful tools in a functional nutrition toolkit.
Adaptogen drinks, adaptogen coffee, adaptogen mushrooms, adaptogen tea—these are all ways adaptogens show up in products.
Key Ingredients:
- Lion’s mane mushroom — often used for cognitive support and focus
- Reishi, Cordyceps, etc. — for immunity, energy, balance
- Ashwagandha — an herb known for stress regulation, hormonal support, and calm
Try These from Misfits Market
- OM Mushroom Superfood Cordyceps Gummies — for energy and recovery
- OM Mushroom Superfood Reishi Gummies — for immune and stress support
- Kuli Kuli Superfood Gummies — Ashwagandha + L-Theanine “Sweet Serenity” — a great example of ashwagandha making it into functional food form
- Laird Superfood Superfood Instant Latte Matcha — a functional latte base that can pair with adaptogens and mushroom blends
Wellness Staples & Superfood Blends
These are everyday foods that pack added nutrition like fiber, antioxidants, collagen, healthy fats, and more.
Try These from Misfits Market
- Purely Elizabeth Superfood Cereal
- Purely Elizabeth Superfood Oatmeal with Collagen
- Purely Elizabeth Multipack Superfood Oatmeal
- Kuli Kuli Superfood Gummies – Uplift / Energize / Skin Health
- Smash Foods Upcycled Superfood Jam – Apricot
How to Add Functional Foods to Your Routine
- Start small: Add one functional beverage or snack per day
- Stack: Mix functional ingredients into smoothies, oatmeal, coffee
- Pair: Combine probiotics + adaptogens for gut + stress balance
- Rotate: Use a variety so your body gets many types of nutrients
- Listen: Track how you feel (energy, digestion, mood)
Functional foods bridge the gap between eating for energy and eating for purpose. They let you nourish your body and support health systems (gut, stress, immune) without having to be a nutrition scientist. If you’re looking for a place to start, shop some of our most-loved items mentioned above!