Greek Yogurt has become very popular over the last decade or so. It’s high in protein and low in fat. It also contains probiotics, which helps promote good digestion.
Greek yogurt is a cultured dairy product that originated in Greece. It’s similar to regular yogurt except that it is strained to remove the whey. The result is a thicker consistency that holds its shape better.
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“Why Does Greek Yogurt Have More Protein?”
Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein. Compares to other types of yogurt, it is higher in protein. Thus you get a protein-packed food to aid your weight loss and gives you an extended satiety.
With an average serving size of 2 cups. Greek Yogurt is about as much as one cup of regular yogurt. You can eat up to 6 ounces per day without exceeding your daily recommended intake of protein.
If you want to increase the amount of protein you consume, you can top up with some nuts or seeds to your diet. They are both excellent sources of protein.
While low fat Greek Yogurt contains 24 grams of protein which double of low fat Regular Yogurt which has only 13 grams of protein. Coming to Sugar, Greek Yogurt has as low as 9 grams of sugar against 17 grams of sugar in regular yogurt.
You should be aware of the fact that not all brands of Greek yogurt are created equal. Some contain less protein than others. Read labels carefully before buying Greek yogurt.
Greek Yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt: What are the Differences Between Them?
You can find plain regular yogurt easily in the stores and it is economical too. Do you know, Yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein? Greek Yogurt are healthier version where the whey is removed to provide thicker consistency.
This is the reason why Greek Yogurt contain double the protein as compared to the regular yogurt. These are generally sour in taste. The removal of whey reduces the amount of sugar (lactose) and carbs in yogurt, making it a healthy version.
Yogurt usually do not contain much fibre. But some brands offer yogurt with added fibre to make it a nutritious addition to your diet. Adding toppings such as fruits and nuts makes your yogurt extra nutritious.
Is one style of yogurt healthier for you than the other?
Both Greek Yogurt and Plain Yogurt are the healthy choices and mainly depends on the individual choices. If you are looking to incorporate high amount of protein into your diet, it is recommended to opt for Greek Yogurt. The high amount of protein present in the Greek Yogurt satiates you for longer time by aiding the slower digestion.
It also helps in controlling the blood sugar. Top it with fresh fruits and granola or nuts to enhance its nutritional value. But it will also add a considerable amount of sugar as the fruticose is naturally present in the fruits while nuts are high in fats and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Often people are not able to tolerate the sour taste of Greek Yogurt and thus regular plain yogurt is recommended for them.
Coming to flavored yogurt, they are generally high with sugar due to the presence of additives like corn syrup, artificial flavors, honey, maple syrup and other sweeteners. Hence, you should avoid flavored yogurt as they are high in carbs.
Carbs in Frozen Yogurt are much higher due to added flavorings, sweeteners and other additives. However, it is a healthier option when compared to frozen ice cream which is further higher in carbs.
Things you should know about the two types of yogurt:
In both regular and Greek yogurt, added sugar variant is available. Thus you must be sure to choose the plain variant of both Greek and plain yogurt. the plain variant contains only lactose – a naturally occurring sugar from milk.
to enhance the feeling of fullness you must choose a yogurt made from whole milk with upto 4% of fat.
Can you be allergic to Greek yogurt?
If you are allergic to cow’ milk or if you are lactose intolerant, you are likely to be allergic to Dairy Greek Yogurt. Symptoms such as vomiting, heart burn, indigestion, diarrhoea, upset stomach, sneezing, cough and tickly throat indicate that you might be allergic to Greek Yogurt.
If the yogurt is bad, it can also cause the food borne illness and even food poisoning. Diarrhoea is another common health issue caused due to consuming expired yogurt. So, How to tell if yogurt is Bad, if you notice the curd to be cuddling with the watery consistency on top, it indicates that the yogurt is bad. You may also notice foul smell coming out of it.
Final Thoughts
Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt come with high amount of protein due to the removal of whey. As the milk liquid is removed, there is a higher concentration of protein left behind with lesser sugar and fewer carbohydrates.
Regular Yogurt comes with higher calcium levels as it is consist of whey which is the natural source of calcium. Sticking to the plain versions is the best way to add yogurt as a healthy meal in to you diet
