Yogurt - A quick lesson that will answer the question, "what is Greek yogurt?"

I love yogurt. I eat it most every day and plain yogurt can always be found in my fridge. Deciding what to get can be tough because there are a lot of choices such as regular, low-fat, non-fat, Greek, Kefir, and many more. But no matter what type you prefer, the important thing to remember is that all yogurt is a great source of calcium, protein, vitamin D, and potassium. Yogurt also contains live cultures. Maybe some of you are thinking, "what in the world does that mean?"

Live cultures are the "good bacteria." These bacteria promote gut health (digestion) and immunity. Those long words you see on the label - Lactobacillius acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri, and Bicfidobacterium - are a good thing! 

Yogurt may also be an option for those with lactose intolerance to enjoy dairy products due to the lower amount of lactose (milk sugar) present.

Do you ever notice a thin layer of liquid that sits on the top of the yogurt? Don't pour it off! That is the whey. Whey is full of calcium, so stir it back in. 

Greek yogurt vs. regular yogurt
This is a question that I get quite often. The main difference comes in how it is processed. Greek yogurt goes through a different straining technique, which leaves a much more concentrated, thick product. It removes much of the whey out of the yogurt. That explains why there is more protein in Greek yogurt when compared to regular yogurt. 

Yogurt and Athletes
Yogurt is a great addition to the sports diet because it has the desired carbohydrate and protein for recovery from exercise. Adding yogurt to a post-workout smoothie is an excellent way to add in the protein your body is craving. In fact, you can skip the protein powder because a serving of Greek yogurt has about 10 grams of protein per serving. With a little milk added in - you will have an adequate amount of protein to help ensure proper muscle recovery. Toss in some fruit or vegetables for some extra carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals. Here is a recipe for some inspiration - Strawberry-Flax Smoothie.

Reference for this post and for those who would like to read more, here is the article from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.