Yogurt Debunked

 
greek yogurt

Ever take a walk down the yoghurt aisle and feel bewildered by the variety of products available on the market? Vanilla yogurt, strawberry yogurt, Greek yogurt, drinkable yogurt, yogurt with probiotics…the possibilities are endless!

Yogurt has become such a staple in the average household kitchen that it might leave you wondering...what’s the whole deal about it anyway? Does it live up to its name?

Let’s break down some popular myths about yoghurt!

Myth 1: Yoghurt is always a good probiotic

Probiotics are strains of microorganisms that provide certain health benefits as they help to promote the gut (intestinal) flora. People commonly believe that yoghurt is a great snack alternative as it is naturally packed with important nutrients and healthy probiotics. However, in some cases, this isn’t always true. 

Why? In its most simple state, yoghurt is bacterial fermented milk. So while it is true that yogurt is made with both live and active cultures, not all yogurt cultures are made the same, and therefore not all yoghurts have a probiotic effect. In fact, a yoghurt culture is only considered a ‘probiotic’ if it contains probiotic bacteria strains (i.e. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bacillus coagulans)

➝ Look out for yogurts that are labelled “with probiotics” to make sure that your yoghurt contains an appropriate amount of probiotics for optimal nutrition.

Myth 2: Yoghurt is always nutritious

Additionally, some yogurt options aren’t as nutritious as their advertisements claim them to be. In fact, several yoghurt brands contain a lot of added sugars and a high fat content when they are overly processed (e.g. fat-free, strawberry flavoured, 50% reduced fat). 

So although yogurt naturally contains sugars in the form of lactose, a more transformed version of this staple ingredient can easily overshadow the great nutrition that yoghurt normally provides. 

➝ Try mixing plain yogurt with berries, jam or a drizzle of honey

➝ Aim for yogurts with zero to no added sugar. 

Traditionally-made Greek yogurt, on the other hand, is made from skimmed milk, otherwise meaning that it does not contain any fats or added sugars. It is also packed with protein and other healthy nutrients, making it an ideal option for a satisfying snack.

Feeling a little more cultured?

Yogurt can be a great food option for just about any occasion: in a smoothie, with muesli, in a dip, in a marinade, as a parfait, in pancake batters, on its own… 

All in all, try aiming for a yoghurt with:

  • No added sugar ─ choose the plain version of your favourite brand of yogurt and make some naturally sweet additions (e.g. fruits, maple syrup or honey).

  • A high protein content ─  choose versions that are made using more traditional methods (e.g. Skyr Icelandic Yogurt, Greek Yogurt, etc.)

  • Gut-friendly probiotics─ choose versions that are made using probiotics bacterial strains such as Activia, Astro, DanActive and Liberté).

What are your favourite ways to eat yoghurt?

Sources:

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Laura NguyenComment