What’s up with Greek Yogurt?
When it comes to yogurt, you might be trying not to buy into all the hype and still believe that Greek and regular yogurt are pretty much the same.
Well, you’d be wrong!
How Greek is Yogurt Different Than Regular Yogurt
While both are made from milk, left to ferment after the introduction of healthy bacteria, regular yogurt is the result after the milk has been strained twice. Greek yogurt, on the other hand, gets one more strain through the cheesecloth, making it thicker and creamier than the regular variety. While they have many similarities, such as containing protein, calcium, probiotics, phosphorus, and potassium, they often look and taste quite different.
But are these the only real differences between the two?
The Greek Yogurt Pros
Although Greek yogurt is filtered just once more than regular yogurt, the majority of the liquid whey and lactose has been removed, making it a healthier choice. On a nutritional scale, Greek yogurt beats regular yogurt on almost every punch. The tangier variety has double the protein, half the carbohydrates, and half the sodium, all with the stronger flavor, yet similar caloric intake.
The Regular Yogurt Pros
But don’t let all that fool you. Plain, regular yogurt can still be part of a healthy diet. And as a matter of fact, it has some pluses over Greek when it comes to nutrition. Depending on the brand of yogurt, regular yogurt has between two and three times as much calcium as Greek, and meets almost 50 percent of the daily recommended allowance. Regular yogurt also has less fat than Greek yogurt, and may therefore be better for those with high cholesterol.
When it comes to being your own health hero, Dr. Nandi wants you to eat healthy. Both Greek and regular yogurt can be used as part of a healthy diet and should be enjoyed in moderation.
Partha’s Rx
- Always opt for plain yogurt because flavored is typically filled with artificial sweeteners.
- Add fresh fruit, honey, or maple syrup to Greek yogurt to sweeten the flavor.
- Swap Greek yogurt for cream cheese, butter, oil, mayonnaise, or eggs in baking or cooking recipes.
- Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt with Mexican dishes to reduce calories.
- Use Greek yogurt in smoothies to get a boost of protein and help keep you full between meals.
