By Eliza • 11 Comments
Greek yogurt is a little different your run of the mill carton. It’s much thicker and has a distinctive flavor that is both tangy and sweet at the same time. It’s sold in large cartons in the plain flavor, but more and more yogurt companies are selling it flavored with fruit as its popularity increases. There are lots of reasons why you should be enjoying Greek yogurt. It does a body good! Here’s why.
Greek yogurt is way higher in protein than traditional versions. That means that the same single serving carton offers you a big boost to your intake. Protein is a vital nutrient for your muscles. Getting enough helps you build and maintain healthy, strong muscles all the time. Greek yogurt is a tasty way to meet your daily quota.
Protein gives you energy, but so does the healthy fat that Greek yogurt contains. It makes a stand out breakfast to get you going in the morning. It’s also a stellar pick me up snack for when your afternoon energy starts to wither away. I like my Greek yogurt topped with chopped strawberries, granola and honey. How do you like yours?
Dairy foods are some of the best for helping you meet your daily calcium requirements. Calcium is necessary, especially for women, because it keeps your bones strong. Deficiencies can lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis. Greek yogurt is a delicious way to make sure you’re getting enough.
As long as you are choosing the lower fat versions of Greek yogurt, you may find that it will help you drop a few pounds. That’s because it fills you up and prevents hunger pangs between meals. That makes it easier to resist the temptation of those cupcakes in the break room or the remaining macaroni and cheese on your kid’s plate. Just be sure you’re sticking to one portion or you’ll be getting more calories than you might think.
No one wants to be backed up or have an upset tummy. It turns out that Greek yogurt can really help to regulate your digestive system. Why? Because it’s chock full of probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that help maintain the well-being of your intestines. Greek yogurt is one of the best ways to get probiotics, so don’t be afraid to dig in.
Your body’s blood pressure relies on a delicate balance of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Because Greek yogurt is abundant in all three nutrients, you can rely on it to help keep your blood pressure healthy and humming along. Non-fat versions are usually recommended by health experts, but reduced fat ones are also good choices. Have your blood pressure checked once or twice a year to be sure it’s staying within the healthy parameters.
Because dairy foods are so vital to good overall health, doctors rarely recommend staying away from them completely unless you’re allergic. Yes, that means that lactose intolerance folks should still be getting their daily dairy quota. Many people are able to tolerate Greek yogurt because it contains far less lactose than regular yogurt. Experts suggest trying one cup at a time and seeing how your body handles it. You might be surprised.
Do you like Greek yogurt? Does any of this info make you want to give it one more try?