Greek yogurt has become a popular food choice. There are dozens of brands to choose from. It can be a dizzying experience trying to decide which greek yogurt is the best. Before going over what to look for in greek yogurt, it’s important to know what greek yogurt actually is. Regular yogurt is made from warmed milk. Live cultures of bacteria are added to the warm milk and allowed to ferment. Greek yogurt is made from regular yogurt that is strained to remove whey. Whey is the liquid that remains after milk is fermented and strained. With the whey removed, the product left is a thicker and creamier substance. The protein content in greek yogurt is twice as high as the protein content found in regular yogurt. Also, greek yogurt contains less sugar than regular yogurt.
Unfortunately, not all greek yogurts are equal in quality or nutrition. The biggest difference in products is the amount of fat, sugar, preservatives or additives. Authentic greek yogurt will contain just two ingredients, milk and live active cultures. Check the nutritional label. Avoid yogurt that has several ingredients or added sugar. If the packaging says “greek style” it probably isn’t authentic and is full of thickeners.
What to look for when choosing greek yogurt:
- Pick plain greek yogurt, either 2% or full fat.
- High protein content. Aim for 10 to 20 grams of protein per serving.
- Low in sugar. Aim for less than 10 grams of sugar per serving.
Add natural spices and frozen berries
Vanilla-flavored greek yogurt is generally higher in sugar. To avoid the added sugar, buy plain yogurt and add vanilla extract. Cinnamon or cardamon are other spices that can be used to add flavor without adding fat or sugar. Another option is to add frozen berries.
In Summary
Greek yogurt is a healthy choice. It is high in protein and calcium. It’s rich in taste. Always choose greek yogurt that is high in protein and contains no added fillers.