Plain Yogurt vs Greek Yogurt

Sorting out the facts about Greek yogurt. 2014. Photograph. Fox NewsWeb.
27 Mar 2014. <http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/11/13/is-greek-yogurt-really-better-
for-than-regular-yogurt/>.

With a sudden skyrocketing success, greek yogurt has infiltrated the refrigerated dairy section of every supermarket and has become the new rave. For it's high protein content, customers have now replaced regular yogurt for this exotic commodity.

You might be wondering, why the hype? Greek yogurt is sold at a much higher price, but nonetheless it is still yogurt. By adding active bacteria cultures into milk, the mixture ferments and becomes yogurt. For greek yogurt, the product is strained three three times to drain any liquid leaving a very thick and creamy product, whereas normal yogurt is only strained twice creating a smooth texture.

Although, with relatively the same amount of calories, greek yogurt has almost double the protein of regular yogurt which is a benefit because of the longer lasting fullness while decreasing sugar content by half. During the straining process, the milk sugars are squeezed out and the protein remains. However, along with the protein, the fat also lingers. Because of this, regular yogurt has approximately three times less of the saturated fat making it an ideal option for those who possess high cholesterol levels to decrease risks of heart disease.

During the straining process, sodium is also drained. As a result, greek yogurt has half the the amount of the regular kind which is beneficial for avoiding an elevation in blood pressure which inhibits the proper functioning of the kidneys, arteries, heart and brain. Regular yogurt has about one third of a higher calcium content than greek yogurt because it is not lost during the straining. However, both variations are excellent sources of this mineral.

Which one do you choose? The verdict is that these yogurts are nutritional powerhouses. For those on a tighter budget, plain yogurt is the optimal option, but you must avoid aspartame sweetened and sugary versions. If the price does not affect you, I personally recommend Greek yogurt; however, once again you must check the ingredients label for any unwanted added products. Nonetheless, I enjoy indulging upon both forms of yogurt.

Still not sure? Visit http://theloudandclear.com/2012/02/03/yogurt-decoded/ for more information.

McDevitt, Kim. Yogurt Decoded. 2012. Photograph. The Loud and ClearWeb. 27 Mar 2014. <http://theloudandclear.com/2012/02/03/yogurt-decoded/>.