Both Greek and “regular” yogurt are made from milk that has been fermented with live bacterial cultures. The difference between regular yogurt and Greek yogurt lies in how it is processed, which results in higher protein content for the latter.
In Greek yogurt, the liquid whey is strained out from regular yogurt using a fine mesh or cheesecloth after fermentation, leaving a thicker yogurt with less moisture. The result is a tangier-tasting product that contains double the amount of protein as “regular” yogurt.
Hence, it is clear that inorder to make Greek yogurt, you must have to prepare the regular yogurt first. We can put it in an equation as:
|
Greek Yogurt = Regular Yogurt – Whey |
If you are wondering, what should i do with the leftover whey, check out our blog, 16 best uses of whey.
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Which yogurt is healthiest?
Now we have both type of yogurts to choose from, often the Quora users are interested to know, What are the benefits of Greek Yogurt Vs Plain Yogurt? However, both types of yogurt are an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D and a good source of protein. For those following a vegan diet, be sure to check the label, as some yogurts are fortified with vitamin B12.
Is Greek yogurt healthier than regular yogurt?
While both Greek and “regular” yogurt are healthful, the amount of protein in Greek yogurt is always more than in regular yogurt. Coming to carbohydrate content, greek yogurt is considerably low when compared to regular yogurt. Check out our blog, how much protein in greek yogurt to have more insight. Tentatively, Per 100g of a serving of Greek Yogurt gives you 17g of protein while regular yogurt contains only 8 g of protein which is almost half of the former. The removal of whey considerably reduces the carbs content in Greek yogurt.
Is there a difference between flavored and non-flavored yogurt?
The main difference is that flavored yogurts contain lot of added sugars and fruit or artificial flavors. The presence of sweeteners increases the calorie count in flavored yogurt. There are fewer ingredients in plain yogurt as well as the calorie count is also low at around 110 calories. On the other hand, some flavored yogurt brands have as high as 20 grams of added sugar per serving.
Although flavored yogurt is highly processed yogurt, you can still make better choices among them. Consider a flavored yogurt that is:
- Free from added preservatives and artificial sweeteners.
- Fre from Carageenan
- Free from artificial agents and thickeners or gums
- Free from added sugar
- Free from preservatives and colors
If you wish to go with the healthiest yogurt, Greek Yogurt is an undisputed choice that comes with high proteins and lower carbohydrate levels.
Plain yogurt or flavored yogurt – Which is better for you?
Plain yogurt is an obvious choice that is free from artificial flavors and sugar additives. But you may choose the flavored yogurt carefully as per the guidelines prescribed above to get the best deal. I further recommend to add some fresh fruits or honey or maple syrup to turn your plain yogurt into a delightful treat.
Check out my blog on how to eat plain yogurt to have more ideas on what you can add to your plain yogurt to enhance its taste.
Are there any health benefits to Greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt has also been linked to several potential health benefits:
- The presence of high protein content curbs your hunger pans and keeps you full for longer time.
- It helps lower cholesterol levels
- Reduces blood pressure.
- May improve the symptoms of lactose intolerance
- Boosts the immune system
- It contains beneficial probiotics that aid digestion
How do I choose the best yogurt?
When choosing a yogurt, it’s important to check that it is free of excess sugar and has not been heat treated. If possible, buy organic to ensure that your yogurt comes from cows raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. (Growth hormones are sometimes given to animals to produce more milk.)
Yogurt with fruit on the bottom is not a good idea since most fruit sticks to the top and can include added sugar. Yogurt can be a great addition to any diet, helping you get more calcium, protein, and probiotics into your diet. Be sure to choose an organic yogurt with less than ten grams of sugar per six-ounce serving.
Here are some of the recommended organic yogurt that you can consider buying:
| Product | USDA Organic | Vegetarian | Keto | Gluten-Free | Vegan |
| Maple Hill Creamery | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 365 by Whole Foods Market | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Wallaby Organic Aussie | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Stonyfield Organic | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Stonyfield® 100% Grassfed | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Forager Project Dairy Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| SO DELICIOUS Dairy Coconutmilk | YEs | YEs | No | Yes | No |
Can You Substitute Regular Yogurt for Greek Yogurt?
Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for any recipe that calls for regular yogurt. You might also try using a blend of half regular and half Greek yogurt, as the resulting texture will be thicker than regular yogurt but not as thick as with all Greek yogurt. You must know that Greek Yogurt itself is derived from regular yogurt by omitting the whey. Hence, when you are substituting the regular yogurt with a Greek Yogurt, always consider the consistency as the former is runnier.
I personally suggest substituting Greek Yogurt with 3/4 of the quantity of regular yogurt and 1/4 should be the water to maintain the consistency.
If you want to replace Greek yogurt with regular yogurt, consider draining regular yogurt overnight in cheesecloth to mimic the consistency.
What is the best-selling yogurt?
Plain, Greek yogurt is the best-selling variety of yogurt in the US, with brands like Fage, Chobani, and Oikos leading sales.
Are there any health risks associated with eating too much yogurt?
When consumed in moderation, yogurt is a healthy food choice. However, it does contain lactose (a type of sugar), making it unsuitable for lactose intolerance.
Yogurt can also be high in sugar, so care should be taken to choose plain varieties and stay within the suggested serving size (which often varies depending on the brand).
