Greek Yogurt Vs Normal Yogurt - A Health Food Comparison

A quick glance at supermarket shelves shows the observant consumer that Greek yogurt is virtually taking over from regular yogurt. Thanks in large part to the Fage Greek commercials, the sugary, low-nutritional value (comparatively) options are being replaced at record pace by the thick and creamy superfood from the Mediterranean. If you doubt that Greek yogurt deserves the superfood classification, just consider some of the benefits:

Greek yogurt has probiotics (some regular yogurts do, too) that really do a positive number on your stomach and digestive tract. That tart and tangy taste also means there's much less sugar in the Greek version, which happens during the straining process that removes the simple carb-laden milk whey from the fermented dairy product. Fage, Chobani and others have more than double the protein of a normal yogurt, which makes it an excellent aid in building lean muscle mass. Although Greek and regular yogurt are considered healthy portions of a breakfast plan, there is little doubt that the fat-fighting prowess of Greek yogurt takes the cake in the overall health department.

In addition the calcium and naturally-reduced calories of most yogurt as a property of the food, itself, the Greek version also actively protects you against diseases like the common cold. The straining process takes away much of the lactose - which means that lactose-intolerant people (all but the most severe cases, of course) can safely indulge without discomfort. The sugar that's removed leads to lower carbs for the day, which is something that most Americans struggle with anyway. In sum, then, Greek yogurts like Fage and Oikos ratchet up the protein, while reducing the sugars and calories significantly.

For a comparison of just how much protein a Greek yogurt diet contains, a 7-ounce cup of Fage Total Plain has between 17g and 20g of protein per serving - depending on whether you get the 0-percent or the 2-percent version. Frankly, that's incredible! Most yogurts of the same size have anywhere from five to seven grams of protein, slightly more calories and more sugar. Eating a good-sized steak yields the same amount of protein, without the saturated fats and other potential undesirables - especially if you're a vegetarian. Fage yogurt tends to keep me, for example, filled and satiated until lunch without thinking about eating again 4 hours later - but I'm a weightlifter, so I often eat much more than I want or need to because of calorie requirements to build muscle. For a dieter or someone looking to add lean muscle mass, Greek yogurt is a dream and should become an essential part of your diet.

As for the carbohydrate content of Greek, it has fully half (or less) than the carbs of regular yogurt - which is amazing, given the similar serving size. Of course, if there's one thing to look out for with Fage Greek yogurt, it's the saturated fat - it has quite a bit. The overall fat content might be quite acceptable, but the portion of this comprises nearly eighty percent of the FDA's daily recommended sat. fat consumption index. So; try to restrict yourself to just one Fage per day if you're dieting, or two if you're a weight-lifter going for the massive protein content.

Mr. Johnson is a copywriter for several online writing companies, and specializes in the benefits of low calorie foods like Fage Greek yogurt for weight loss. Although freelance, he is often contractually obligated but is available for writing assignments with a quick turnaround and high-quality.

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