4 Types Of Yogurt: Which Yogurt Is Best For You?
When you walk down the yogurt aisle at the grocery store, you could easily feel overwhelmed by the many different choices. There are so many options these days, it can be hard to know where to start. First, it's good to know what yogurt is. Any dairy product fermented by bacterial cultures is considered yogurt. Learning about the differences between the varieties, however, can help you discover your new favorite breakfast, snack, or recipe substitution.
TYPES OF YOGURT
Plain
Made by heating milk, cooling it, adding bacterial cultures, and letting the mixture ferment until lactic acid is formed. This process is the base for many other yogurts. It contains a lot of liquid, which makes it good for moistening baked products. It also is the mildest form of all the yogurts, which makes it an appealing option for children.
Greek
Made using the same process as plain yogurt, but strained to remove some of the liquid after the milk has curdled. Nutritionally, Greek yogurt has more protein and fewer carbohydrates than regular plain yogurt and has a denser mouthfeel. The resulting flavor is usually tangier, too.
Skyr
This thick, creamy, high-protein yogurt from Iceland might be a bit more hidden on the common American grocery store shelf. Skyr has the same slightly sour flavor as Greek yogurt but has a milder flavor and mouthfeel.
Kefir
Kefir is a drinkable yogurt sold in bottles, using grains of a yeast starter to begin the fermentation process. Those with the acquired taste for it enjoy its carbonation and its thin consistency. People with lactose intolerance might be interested in giving this one a shot, as it contains a very low amount of lactose.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Yogurt is often marketed as healthy food, however, the sugar and flavorings added to many yogurts can make them more like junk food. For this reason, navigating the yogurt aisle of your grocery store can be confusing.
All yogurts start out as plain yogurt, but they often can contain a variety of added ingredients, such as sugar, artificial flavors, dyes, stabilizers, and preservatives. When possible, choose a yogurt without large amounts of added ingredients. Instead, try to choose a yogurt with few ingredients.
Health benefits of yogurt can include:
- Promoting bone health and aiding digestion.
- High in protein, calcium, vitaminsB6, and 12 riboflavin, potassium and magnesium.
- Containing live culture, or probiotics, which can enhance the gut microbiota and keep the intestines healthy. (Probiotics may also boost the immune system).
- Low-fat yogurt can be a useful source of protein on a weight-loss diet.
- Some argue that they could also impact brain functioning, too, although more research is necessary to confirm some of these claims.
Nowadays, the yogurt trend has really grown in popularity with an increase in flavors and styles from brands like Chobani, Dannon, and Yoplait. All of the options can be overwhelming at times, but if you make sure to read the nutrition label closely, you can figure out which type is for just right for you.
