Yogurt is a popular and healthy dairy product, especially among ladies and healthy eaters. Tasty and nutritious, many consider yogurt as their breakfast, dessert, or even meal replacement for dieting. While many types of yogurt are available in the market, some may be loaded with sugar and extra calories that make you even fatter! So, why does Greek yogurt become popular recently, and what is the difference between it and Greek-style yogurt? What are their edges over regular yogurt? Let’s know more about it in this Cigna Smart Health article.
What is Greek Yogurt?
Greek yogurt is a traditional specialty in Greece made with fresh goat milk. However, most Greek yogurt is made with cow milk nowadays. Through a straining process (multiple filterings), approximately 4L of goat or cow milk can only produce 1L of Greek yogurt, which is 4 times of milk needed compared with regular yogurt.
While there is no definite answer to Greek-style yogurt, it commonly refers to yogurt that gives a similar texture to Greek yogurt and those produced out of Greece. With extra filtering (straining), it is thicker and more concentrated than regular yogurt. Let’s look at the comparison of different yogurt at the table below.
|
Greek Yogurt |
Greek-Style Yogurt |
Regular Yogurt |
|
|
Content |
4x fresh goat milk or cow milk with whey |
Low-fat milk with other milk constituents and thickener |
Milk, sugar and whey |
|
Texture |
Thicker and tangiest |
Thicker and richer |
Lighter and dilute |
|
Protein |
Most |
More |
Less |
|
Price |
Costly |
Fairly costly |
Less costly |
Health Benefits of Greek Yogurt
High Protein
Produced with a large amount of fresh milk, Greek yogurt is rich in protein which is twice or thrice higher than regular yogurt. The thick texture raises its satiety for diet control and fosters fat burnt. It is surely one of the best choices for those on diet!
Low Sodium
The sodium content of Greek yogurt is just half of the regular yogurt so as to reduce edema.
Low Sugar
Greek yogurt only has half of the lactose content in regular yogurt!
Rich in Probiotics
Probiotics is friendly bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt. They aid digestive health by balancing your gut microbiome, the friendly bacteria in your digestive system. A balanced gut microbiome can improve your digestive health and reduce your risk of various illnesses.
High Calcium
Yogurt is a quality source of calcium that is good for your bone and teeth.
Rich in Vitamins
Greek yogurt comprises rich vitamins B6 and B12. These vitamins are vital in the maintenance of erythropoiesis and hematopoiesis to improve anemia and fatigue.
In Hong Kong, you may find it challenging to buy authentic Greek yogurt in supermarkets, where only Greek-style yogurt or regular yogurt is available. If you want to lose weight, you should opt for Greek yogurt instead since most regular yogurt contains high sugar content or food additives. With greater satiety, you can also control your food intake easily. For those who are cutting some pounds, you should have a go on Greek yogurt!