Greek yogurt is said to have many benefits for diet, health as well as for beauty.
There are several factors as to why Greek yogurt is said to be healthy for you.
Below are some of the reasons. After all, beauty starts from inside.
Protein of Greek yogurt
The protein inside of Greek yogurt is almost double the amount that is in regular yogurt.
Comparing the two, one 6 ounce Greek yogurt has about 17 grams of protein whereas regular yogurt has about 8 grams.
Some Greek yogurt brands may have the same protein content as regular yogurt so if protein is what’s important to you, make sure you check out the nutrition facts before purchasing.
Being high in protein content, Greek yogurt is very popular with vegetarians as well as those trying to manage their weight.
High protein diets not only help build lean muscle mass but also promotes fullness.
During pregnancy, it may be a good choice of protein intake as well.
It is said that a cup of Greek yogurt can have just as much protein as a piece of meat, if not more!
Protein also may repair skin cells which can make your skin firmer, minimizing wrinkles. Who wouldn’t want that!
Carbohydrates in Greek yogurt
Did you know that Greek yogurt had less carbohydrates than regular yogurt?
Some Greek yogurts have half the amount of carbs than regular yogurt.
That’s good news! Diabetics and those who watch their carbohydrate intake can now rejoice.
Less doesn’t mean zero so if you are really watching your carbs, make sure you read the nutrition facts.
If your Greek yogurt has “extra” add ons such as fruit, it may bump up the carb count.
Because straining the yogurt removes the milk sugar and lactose, Greek yogurt is less likely to irritate your stomach which is great for those who are lactose-intolerant.
A special note: Though low in lactose, Greek yogurt is not completely lactose free.
Greek yogurt is also known to have a low glycemic index which can be beneficial to those who are diabetic.
Sodium in Greek yogurt
A great reason to try Greek yogurt is that it has almost half the amount of sodium of regular yogurt.
Sodium is a mineral that is often added to foods to give it flavor.
It’s not salt per say which is a combination of sodium and chloride.
On average, a single serving of Greek yogurt contains 50 milligrams of sodium whereas regular yogurt contains on average 100 milligrams.
There are low sodium regular yogurts on the market if Greek yogurt is not your thing.
Having too much sodium can increase your blood pressure as well as increase the risk of heart problems.
You may already know that lowering your sodium intake can result in many health benefits.
The Institute of Medicine recommends that a person limits their sodium intake to 1500 milligrams per day with the maximum intake being 2300 milligrams per day.[1]
Texture of Greek yogurt
Because the whey is strained out in Greek yogurt, the texture is much thicker than regular yogurt.
It is definitely an acquired taste and consistency.
People often use Greek yogurt as an ingredient or substituting an ingredient when cooking because it does not curdle like regular yogurt.
It may take a few tries for you to get used to Greek yogurt but after a while, you may enjoy it more.
Calories in Greek yogurt
The calorie count between regular yogurt and Greek yogurt does not vary much.
If you are trying to make a decision between the two and the calories are pretty much the same, perhaps look at the ingredients or the nutrition facts to determine which yogurt is best for you.
Probiotics in Greek yogurt
As mentioned earlier, probiotics are healthy, live bacteria that brings balance to your intestines.
This good bacteria helps promote good digestive health and boosts immunity.
Both Greek yogurt as well as regular yogurt contain probiotics.
When reading the label, you will want the yogurt that says CONTAINS probiotics rather than MADE WITH probiotics.
If the Greek yogurt is MADE WITH, it may not necessarily have the live and active cultures in the yogurt at the time of consumption.
Calcium in Greek yogurt
One thing Greek yogurt lacks in comparison to regular yogurt is the calcium content.
Calcium is what makes your bones and teeth healthy and strong!
On average, regular yogurt has three times the calcium of Greek yogurt.
When you look at both yogurts, you may think that Greek yogurt has more calcium because it seems more condensed.
Unfortunately, during the straining process, much of the calcium is strained away with the whey.
If you are a person who is not getting enough calcium consumption, you may want to stick with eating regular yogurt.
Fat content in Greek yogurt
Another thing to consider when purchasing Greek yogurt is its fat content especially if you are on a specialized diet or looking to manage or lose weight.
Whole Greek yogurt is quite high in fat.
When choosing the right Greek yogurt for you, consider purchasing a low fat or non fat item which will decrease the fat content.
Thank goodness we can still enjoy the delicious flavor of Greek yogurt without having to worry!
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