Probiotic Bacteria Is Your Friend
You might think bacteria in your food is a bad thingand it in some cases it can be . But in live-culture yogurt, beneficial bacteria can help keep your gut healthy, say nutrition researchersand these so-called probiotics may even help you lose weight.
Even though probiotics are a huge buzzword lately, were really only starting to learn about how they work in our bodies, says registered dietitian Karen Ansel, a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The most important thing to know is that they are strain-specificmeaning, while one type may help with immunity, another might be better for gut health.
Yogurt is a great source of probiotics because it is made by fermenting milk with these live bacteria. But not all probiotic yogurt is the same.
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Siggis Skyr Icelandic Vanilla Yogurt
Siggis is a trustworthy yogurt brand headquartered in Iceland. I like that the texture is thicker than regular Greek yogurt, and the slight sour natural taste. Siggis yogurt is made of whole milk and a dash of cream, which gives I think gives it a richer taste.
There are up to five live active bacteria cultures that may help with digestive health. Also, it is low in sugar and high in protein, which recommends it as a nutritious, filling breakfast food or snack. The yogurt is 100% natural, does not contain any GMOs, artificial sweeteners, or even preservatives.
It has the following 5 probiotic strains: S. thermophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium, L. acidophilus, L. paracasei.
Amount Per Serving:
Is Yoplait Yoghurt Healthy
Yoplait yoghurt makes for a nutritious breakfast, snack or treat. Its made with real fruit and the goodness of dairy. Yoplait yoghurt is a nutritious product that should be consumed as part of a balanced diet. For any nutritional information, please view our individual product information or speak to your local healthcare professional.
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Benefit No : Yogurt May Reduce The Risk Of High Blood Pressure
One study, which followed more than 5,000 university graduates in Spain for about two years, found a link between dairy intake and risk of high blood pressure.
We observed a 50% reduction in the risk of developing high blood pressure among people eating 2-3 servings of low-fat dairy a day , compared with those without any intake, Alvaro Alonso, MD, PhD, a researcher in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, says in an email interview.
Although most of the low-fat dairy consumed by the study subjects was as milk, Alvaro believes low-fat yogurt would likely have the same effect. Dutch researchers recently reported that higher dairy consumption was modestly linked to lower blood pressure in 2064 Dutch men and women ages 50 to 75.
Stonyfield Farm Organic Yogurt
Both the regular, as well as the Greek varieties of yogurt from Stonyfield Farm are USDA 95% organic, pasture-raised, non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher certified. The yogurt is free of any growth hormones and is a great source of 6 live active probiotic cultures.
If you are looking for a dairy-free option, Stonyfield Farm also offers a soy yogurt. However, if you want to keep the sugar on the lower side, then it is better to opt for the plain or vanilla flavors.
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What To Look For In A Probiotic Yogurt
Yogurt is a great source of these bacteria. But when it comes to probiotics, not all yogurts are created equally. Here are the factors to consider when perusing the yogurt options at the store:
- Live and active cultures:To receive the health benefits, its important that the organisms in your yogurt are alive and active during their shelf life, says Ashley Baumohl, MPH, RD, a clinical dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. To that end, in January 2021, the FDA specified that yogurts must identify if they contain live and active cultures or not. Seeing that stamp of live cultures means that that yogurt contains, at a minimum, billions of colony-forming units per gram , a scientific way of measuring bacterial load, Baumohl says.
- Zero or minimal additives: Youll want to look for artificial sweeteners, stabilizers, added sugar and color and flavor additives in the ingredient list and try to avoid them, Middleberg says. These ingredients negatively impact the gut microflora. Your best bet: a short ingredient list, Middleberg says.
- Low or no added sugar: Go for plain yogurt when you can, and sweeten it yourself with fresh or dried fruit. If youre choosing a flavored yogurt, try to aim for under 8 grams of added sugar.
Heres a look at some of the best probiotic yogurts pull up this list next time youre feeling daunted by the wall of options in the grocery stores dairy section.
Help With Blood Pressure
The eating plan called Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, a diet designed to help lower blood pressure, recommends two to three servings of fat-free or lowfat dairy foods such as Yoplait yogurt daily. Yoplait yogurt contains nutrients, namely calcium and potassium, that as part of a healthy diet can help lower blood pressure. Like calcium, the amount of potassium in Yoplait yogurt varies, depending on the type, ranging from 180 milligrams in the Yoplait Whips! to 290 milligrams in the Thick and Creamy. Aim for 4,700 milligrams of potassium a day for improved blood pressure.
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Is One Yogurt A Day Enough Probiotics
In fact, a recent review of scientific articles shows that people who take probiotic supplements are less vulnerable to upper respiratory illnesses, including sinusitis and the common cold. How much is enough? Usually, we recommend one serving of yogurt in order to get your daily dose of healthy bacteria.
Does Greek Yogurt Have Live Cultures
We sampled a few major brands to determine if they had live and active cultures. All the brands listed below did contain active, live cultures. The bacteria were listed where available. The potential benefits of these live cultures include gastrointestinal health, alleviating lactose tolerance symptoms, improved colon health, improved immune system health, protection against pathogens, and a decrease in yeast infections. There are several other benefits, but the key benefits have been listed.
Typically, if a product is labeled as yogurt, it has live and active cultures. However, it is always best to read the labels to verify the yogurt you choose has these beneficial live cultures. The health benefits of the live and active cultures are so great that it would be foolish for most people not to check their brand for these cultures before buying. In our mind, any product that does not contain live and active cultures is not really yogurt.
Sample of Greek yogurt brands for live and active cultures:
Fage live active cultures .
Yoplait Greek live active cultures
Stonyfield Organic live active cultures
DanonOikos Greek active yogurt cultures
Brown Cow Greek live active cultures
Chobani live active cultures For visual proof, see the cool video below showing the live organisms in yogurt.
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Old Chatham Sheeps Milk Plain Yogurt
Per 2/3 cup, plain: 150 calories, 10 g fat , 6 g sugar, 8 g protein
Sheeps milk may be easier to digest than regular cows milk and still contains ample amounts of protein and probiotics, Middleberg says.
The digestibility of sheeps milk is up for debate: A small May 2020 study in Current Developments in Nutrition compared digestive side effects of cow and sheeps milk and symptoms and didnt find a difference. That said, you may find that sheeps milk is easier on your own digestive system.
Buy it: Price: $6.29
Does Oikos Greek Yogurt Have Probiotics
Like the other yogurts on our list, Greek yogurt may be healthier if youre trying to cut back on sugar and get more protein, a prebiotic that feeds the probiotics in the yogurt and in your gut, A unfilled rating star, A filled rating star, states that Greek yogurt can contain up to 6 strains of probiotics, l, according to Be Food Smart, while Greek yogurt provides up to 20 grams, Greek yogurt has about 1/3 the carbohydrate of regular yogurt.For example, Oikos Greek yogurt has a creamy-thick texture due to the straining process.Oikos Triple Zero Yogurt, The thickest, I got two 32oz tubs the Traditional Greek Yogurt made with whole milk and the Fat Free Greek Yogurt made with nonfat milk , A filled rating star, which removes some of theWhat does Oikos Greek yogurt taste like?Plain Oikos Greek yogurt has a rich, Oikos Greek Yogurt is considered a nutritious food and is an excellent source of protein, but it has half the calcium of regular yogurt
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Good Source Of Protein And Other Nutrients
One of the main benefits of Greek yogurt is that its rich in protein, a macronutrient needed for virtually all chemical reactions in the body, healthy immune function, tissue repair, and more .
Protein needs vary, but a protein intake of 0.540.9 grams per pound of body weight is likely optimal for physically active people .
A 7-ounce serving of Greek yogurt provides 20 grams of protein, which makes it a high protein food.
In addition to protein, Greek yogurt is rich in essential vitamins and minerals including B12, selenium, and zinc all of which play important roles in supporting your health.
For example, both zinc and selenium are required for optimal immune function, while B12 is needed for red blood cell formation, nervous system function, and energy production .
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An Introduction To Yogurt
Yogurt is a dairy product, derived from milk, which is cultured or fermented.
For probiotic content, you need to look more towards the fermented variety, as this is where the greatest benefit will be found.
As the fermentation process progresses, cultures are added to the milk, which contain the ability to produce lactic acid.
All of this helps to culture the good bacteria, therefore giving yogurt its probiotic content.
The most common types of cultures added to yogurt production are lactobacillus and streptococcus thermophilus, including ones you have no doubt heard about from health magazines and adverts, such as lactobacillus casei and bifidus.
These help to give yogurt its major probiotic abilities, such as boosting gut health and immune system function.
Studies have shown that these types of bacteria are ideal for maintaining the smooth running of the gut, and are hardy enough to withstand stomach acids and other conditions.
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Your Blood Sugar Could Spike
Some brands add a hefty amount of sugar to their flavored yogurt products. While that may make it taste good, it can also cause your blood sugar to surge. Thats why Glazer highly recommends taking a look at the nutrition facts on your yogurt before digging in.
Some flavored yogurts have 14 grams of sugar per serving so youre getting 3.5 sugar packets in your otherwise healthy yogurt, she says.
Considering that the American Heart Association recommends consuming a maximum of 25 grams of added sugar per day for women and 37g for men, thats definitely something to keep an eye on.
While no one food will make or break your health, too much added sugar not only dilutes the nutritional density of yogurt, but it can also cause a spike in your blood sugar, leaving you hungry and hangry rather than satiated, satisfied and energized, says Kane.
If youre trying to limit your consumption of the sweet stuff, try plain Greek yogurtand you can even add a serving fruit on top if its too tangy for your liking.
Naturally occurring sugars, such as from the blueberries, are just finethey are not exactly the same thing as added sugars, says Claybrook. Added sugars should always be avoided.
Kane suggests drizzling on a spoonful of honey or maple syrup to balance out the acidity of plain yogurt if youre not a fan of the flavor.
A dash of vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon also works wonders in creating a sense of sweetness without actually adding any sugar at all, she says.
The Probiotic Strain Game
U.S. guidelines state that yogurt must contain at least two specific strains, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, although manufacturers can add more. Its easy to assume that all yogurt is the same, but thats not the case at all, Ansel says.
Only three familiesLactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcushave been widely researched, and the data suggests they may improve immune and digestive health and protect against yeast infections in women. In fact, these are the kinds nutritionists trust most. But probiotic yogurt brands vary in other ways, from the number of strains they contain to the amounts in each serving.
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What Exactly Is ‘french Style’ Yogurt And Should You Try It
If you’re a yogurt lover, the past few years have sent you on a world tour. From the creamy goodness of Aussie Noosa , to the high-protein, low-sugar miracle that is siggi’s Icelandic skyr, you’ve probably spent more time sampling the goodness of Greece, than anywhere else. But there’s another country coming to the yogurt menu: France.
With Greek yogurt taking over the yogurt market, Yoplait’s hold on the industry is slowly slipping. That’s why they’re hoping to steal a spot on your fridge shelf once again with its introduction of French style yogurt. The company’s new product, Oui yogurt, was created to tout a transparent list of ingredients, a delightful taste, and the commonly craved thick texture. Did they do it? Read on to find out what we think of this new treat and whether or not it’s worth the swap. And while you’re at it expanding your breakfast repertoire, check out these best breakfast foods for weight loss.
What Do I Need To Make Yogurt
- Pot or Slow Cooker
Besides milk youll need some plain yogurt as a starter culture for your initial batch. Then you can use yogurt from that batch for your next batch and so on. There is no need to buy a special starter culture, all you need is plain yogurt. The plain yogurt will act as a starter culture to introduce healthy bacteria/probiotics to your homemade yogurt. It is essential that the yogurt you use has live cultures in it. Most grocery stores sell plain yogurt with live cultures but just be sure to check the label on the container confirm that it has l. bulgaricus and s. thermophilus in it.
You will also need some cheesecloth to strain the yogurt . I use and recommend this cheesecloth brand because its 100% unbleached cotton, is high grade, is very durable for multiple uses, and you get a ton of it. Overall its the best value I have found for the quality.
Youll also need a thermometer. Heating the milk to right temperature and then reducing it to the right temperature are both critical to the success of your yogurt.
The other item youll need is either a slow cooker or a large, heavy stock pot and a colander for straining.
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How To Use Frozen Yogurt
If all those changes make previously frozen yogurt less appetizing as a stand-alone snack, there are still many ways you can use frozen yogurt.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to use frozen yogurt:
- Baking with it. Use previously frozen yogurt in any baked goods that call for yogurt and youll never notice the difference.
- Cooking with it. Similarly, if youre making a simmer sauce or using yogurt in other areas of cooking, the slight differences in texture, consistency, and flavor will be hidden well once cooked.
- Using it in sauces, spreads, and dips. If youre mixing up your yogurt to make a dipping sauce or creamy spread, this will change the flavor and texture anyways, so previously frozen will work just fine.
What Are The Ingredients In Yoplait Yogurt
Yogurt is a popular food choice in the United States. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, per capita yogurt consumption in the U.S. in 2008 was 11.8 pounds. Yogurt is eaten for breakfast, lunch and as a snack. Yoplait yogurt, made by General Mills, is the highest selling yogurt in the U.S., occupying 34 percent of the yogurt market in 2000, according to Swissbusinesshub.com. Containing milk and vitamin additives, Yoplait yogurt is high in calcium, vitamin D, and is a significant source for protein as well.
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How To Make Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is different from yogurt that has been frozen. The water content in yogurt will freeze it into a solid cube, not a scoopable creamy dessert. If you want to make fro-yo, you have to add a few extra ingredients and do a bit of churning.
If you have an ice cream maker, it will make frozen yogurt a breeze. If you dont have one, a high-powered blender will work, though your results will be less consistent.
Weve come up with a few different combinations that work really well for making frozen yogurt. You can mix and match the techniques and flavorings to create a frozen yogurt treat that is perfect for your tastes and equipment.
How Oui French Is Different Than Greek
Rest assured, we werent sure what making French Style Yogurt entailed either. Heres the deal: Unlike Greek yogurt or traditional yogurt, which is often made in large vats, fully prepped and then individually packaged, French yogurt is made in the bottle its sold in.
This technique is called pot-set. That means, the ingredients whole milk, pure cane sugar, fruit , and yogurt cultures are poured into individual glass containers, to set and culture for eight hours.
Yoplait Director, Doug Martin explains in a blog post: Its the simplest way to make yogurt, but its also the hardest to do at scale We were curious as to whether or not this was worth the risk taking. So, we flipped the bottles over and looked at the nutrition facts.
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