In the past few years, Greek yogurt has been touted for its nutritional benefits. But why? What makes it better than traditional yogurt? Regular yogurt is strained twice, while Greek yogurt is strained three times to remove more whey (resulting in a thicker consistency at the end of this process).
This additional straining step is what makes Greek yogurt different. Also, the nutritional makeup is different. A single serving of Greek yogurt averages around 50 milligrams of sodium, which is about half the sodium contained in most brands of regular yogurt. Greek yogurt also contains roughly half the carbs as regular yogurt, which makes it great for a low carb-plan.
Greek yogurt also packs quite the punch in terms of protein. Greek yogurt actually contains almost double the protein of regular yogurt. That means one cup of Greek yogurt has about 17 grams of protein compared to the 11 grams that regular yogurt provides. This makes Greek yogurt a great option for those concerned about meeting daily protein requirements. Greek yogurt’s high protein content will help you stay full longer, which is important for weight loss or maintenance.
Whether you like it alone, in a smoothie, or in Tzatziki sauce (a dip prepared using Greek yogurt and cucumbers), Greek yogurt is most definitely a choice you can feel good about!