I don’t know about you, but in my local grocery store, there is now at least a full aisle of yogurt options. The yogurt has multiplied over the years and started including Greek Yogurt. I only remember seeing Yoplait as an option when I was a kid, and that Trix Yogurt I always wanted, but never got.
But the question is, what is Greek Yogurt and how is it different from the regular yogurt we’ve had all these years?
How the yogurt is made
Greek yogurt was labeled “Greek” by the company Fage, which started in Athens, Greece. It used a popular method of making yogurt in Greece, where all the liquid is strained. In Greece, this type of yogurt is called Straggisto. For the record, most “Greek Yogurt” in the States is not Greek at all. Chobani is American, but started by a Turkish man.
Regular yogurt is fermented, leaving all parts intact. This process makes the consistency much more similar to liquid and sour. However, Greek yogurt is fermented, then strained at least three times. This leaves the yogurt thick and tangy. It also takes away most of the lactose, so it’s generally tolerated better by people lactose intolerant.
What are the differences?
Some of the main differences between the yogurts include:
Sodium: Greek contains half the sodium of regular yogurt.
Fat: Greek yogurt has three times the amount of saturated fat than regular yogurt.
Protein: Greek yogurt has double the protein of regular yogurt. (Probably because you need a lot more milk to make it.)
Carbs: Plain regular yogurt has double the amount of carbs than Greek.
Health benefits of Greek yogurt and regular yogurt
Both have lots of great probiotics which aid in digestion. They protect your heart health because of the fermenting process which is known to lower the risk of plaque build up in the arteries.
If you’re eating a plain version of either yogurt, it may help with weight loss. However, there is a ton of added sugar in both yogurts when you add flavors. Might be best to just add your own fruit at home if weight loss is your goal.
Choosing one or the other depends on your texture preferences and protein needs. Best to choose a plain variety of either if you need to cut back on sugar. But really, you can’t go wrong with both yogurts as a delicious, filling snack.
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