What To Look For In A Yogurt
Yogurt is one of my favorite sources of protein because it can be used in so many ways. Breakfast time? Make a yogurt parfait with berries and granola, want a quick and delicious snack? Add some dry ranch seasoning to greek yogurt and bam, you got yourself a dip. Need a tasty dessert? Blend plain greek yogurt with fruit and freeze them into popsicles!
Yogurt is also a really great source of calcium, vitamin D, and potassium which are 3 of the 4 nutrients of public health concern identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Meaning: Most of us don’t get enough of these. Yogurt also contains active live cultures or probiotics known as the “good bacteria” naturally found in our guts. Probiotics may boost immunity, and GI health.
The dairy industry has really stepped their yogurt game up in the last few years and now offers so many different brands, flavors, and choices. As a dietitian, I am here to tell you that not all yogurts are created equal, but I can easily help you distinguish which yogurt to choose in just a few steps.
The first thing you should look for is if it is labeled Greek yogurt. I know this seems kind of simple but one of my favorite things about yogurt is the protein that it provides and greek yogurt provides 10x more protein than non greek yogurts. When you turn it over and look at the nutrition label, look for a yogurt that provides at least 15g of protein.
The second thing you should look for is the sugar content. While you are looking for the protein amount on the nutrition label, slide your little eyeballs on down to the sugar content and give it a gander. The goal is to find a yogurt with less sugar than protein! Yogurt is notorious for lots of added sugars and what you might think you are consuming is healthy, can actually have the same amount of sugar as a candy bar!
Obviously this is ok for the occasional snack but if you are an avid yogurt consumer choosing a yogurt with the above qualifications is the way to go.
Some of my favorite yogurt brands are Fage, Icelandic, Siggis, Chobani, and Oikos!