It’s Greek To Me—Yogurt, That Is
Yogurt. What can I say? It has never been a favorite of mine. It was so thin and drippy, and it left me hungrier than before I ate it. But then, one day, I met a new international friend in the dairy aisle—Greek yogurt. I do love Greek food, so I thought I’d give it a try. And boy, I am so glad I did!
Greek yogurt differs from traditional yogurt primarily because it has twice the amount of protein in it along with fewer carbohydrates. This gives it a richer, creamier consistency, similar to that of custard. Having a higher protein content allows your hunger to be satisfied for longer because protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates and sugar alone. Here is how one leading brand of a traditional peach-flavored yogurt measures up against a popular Greek variety of the same flavor:
TRADITIONAL vs. GREEK
CALORIES 170 180
PROTEIN 5 grams 10 grams
CARBOHYDRATES 33 grams 27 grams
While Greek yogurt is available in a variety of flavors, if you are looking to really cut sugar, try eating plain yogurt with some fresh fruit, a touch of organic fruit preserves, or a bit of raw honey added. And if you happen to be having a chocolate craving, try mixing in some cocoa power and a sprinkle of Splenda® or a drizzle of Agave nectar. Απολαμβάνω (enjoy)!