Why Yogurt Falls Short
While yogurt may help provide some level of digestive support and can be a delicious addition to any diet, it simply can’t compete with the best probiotic supplements for women, men, and children. There are a number of factors that cause this dairy product to come up short in delivering both high numbers of probiotics and the right probiotic strains to benefit your digestive tract.
For starters, only a few types of probiotics naturally occur in yogurt. These strainsBifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus Thermophilusdo provide certain health benefits, of course. However, with more than 500 different strains of probiotics in existence, your daily probiotic yogurt will fall far short of providing you with the best overall diversity of potentially-beneficial bugs.
Even though the strains of naturally-occurring probiotics in yogurt are beneficial, your yogurt may simply not have enough of it to be helpful. In order to receive the full benefit of probiotic potency, youd need to eat more than a dozen yogurts to match the potency of an adult dose of LoveBug probiotics. In reviewing the current body of scientific research on the subject, one group of researchers at the University of Toronto found that many of the studies that touted yogurt’s benefits were funded by the food industry itself and utilized probiotic doses that were as much as 25 times the amount actually in yogurt.
Are There Other Ways To Keep The Yogurt Warm During Fermentation
Some other options to try: on top of the fridge , under the light in an oven , using the warm setting on a slow cooker , in a cooler filled with boiling water . Also, there are specific yogurt machinesbut if youre going to buy something to make yogurt, Id recommend you buy an Instant Pot. It does the yogurt-making thing and way more!
Dannon Activia Probiotic Yogurt
âPer 1 cup, vanilla: 90 calories, 1.5 g fat , 12 g sugarâ âââ, 4 g proteinâ
“Dannon Activia Yogurt is a good option if you don’t like that tart flavor and thick texture typical of Greek yogurts,” Baumohl says. It’s available in individual or large sizes. “One thing to note about Activia is that it will be much lower in the protein content,” Baumohl says â a serving contains 4 grams, or 8 percent of your daily value .
âBuy itâ: âPriceâ: $3.39 per four-pack
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What Is Probiotic Yogurt
The word probiotic translates to for life, taken from its Greek and Latin etymology. Probiotics are good, friendly bacteria. They are cultures that have been shown to provide specific health benefits such as supporting gut health and contributing to the maintenance of a balanced gut microbiota, important for the proper functioning of the digestive system and the entire body.While all yogurts have live and active cultures, not all have probiotic strains that provide specific health benefits such as supporting gut health and contributing to the maintenance of a balanced gut microbiota.
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Activia® may help reduce the frequency of minor digestive discomfort. Consume twice a day for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Minor digestive discomfort includes bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort & rumbling.
**Leading brand based on sales of products labelled as containing probiotics, U.S. Market, IRI last 52 weeks ending November 1, 2020. ***Activia+ has at least 10% Daily Value more Vitamin C, D, and Zinc per serving than regular Activia Dailies.
***Activia+ has at least 10% Daily Value more Vitamin C, D, and Zinc per serving than regular Activia Dailies. Activia+: 18 mg Vitamin C , 4 mcg Vitamin D , 2.2 mg Zinc .
Why Do You Need Probiotics Anyway
First, a quick recap! Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that include both good and bad microorganisms.
The good bacteria play important roles in maintaining your overall health. Theyre involved in digestion, immune system function, hormone production, and much more.
Supporting your gastrointestinal environment by introducing good bacteria into your digestive system will help to keep these bacteria in good shape, which means they can do their job properly. One of the best ways to do this is by consuming probiotic bacteria.
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Yogurt And Your Health
Yogurt is a nutrient-rich food that fuels your body with protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, and some key fatty acids that your body needs to stay healthy.
Studies have also shown numerous health benefits for regular yogurt eaters. For starters, they are thinner than people who dont eat yogurt.
But truthfully, its still not totally clear whether eating yogurt will slim your waistline. Its possible that people who eat yogurt are thinner because they have better eating habits overall. But what yogurt can do particularly yogurt with a high amount of protein is keep you feeling full, which might help you eat less and lose weight.
Yogurt isnt officially yogurt according to FDA standards without S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus. Some brands of yogurt will feature a Live & Active Cultures seal from the National Yogurt Association . The NYA provides voluntary certification to companies that make yogurt, and the seal tells you that the brand has at least 100 million cultures per gram at the time its manufactured. Multiple brands of yogurt may contain live and active cultures even though the label may not explicitly list the bacteria or say live and active cultures.
Some yogurts have been heat-treated, a process that kills the cultures. Or the yogurt maker may just stir live, active cultures into the recipe and skip the fermenting process used to make yogurt. Yogurt must be fermented to get the NYA seal.
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Is Greek Yogurt Better Than Activia Yogurt
Regular and Greek yogurt are made from the same ingredients but differ in nutrients. While regular yogurt tends to have fewer calories and more calcium, Greek yogurt has more protein and less sugar and a much thicker consistency. Both types pack probiotics and support digestion, weight loss, and heart health.
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Noosa Tart Cherry Yoghurt
The first thing to remember about this noosa yoghurt is that it is a larger serving size than most of the other yogurts here. That being said, noosa yoghurt is delicious because its made with full-fat milk and a lot of sugar. Yes, it does have a lot of calcium because of that, but its so high in calories and carbs youre better off not eating this very often.
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Less Than 10g Of Sugar Per Serving
A high sugar intake isnt healthy for anyone, especially if you are taking antibiotics. Far too many commercially produced yogurt brands have high amounts of sugar, anywhere from 20 to 35 grams per serving, especially if it contains flavorings and fruit. Sugar promotes inflammation all over the body including the gut, and changes the composition of gut microbiome.
Opt for yogurt with under 10 grams of sugar per serving. The lower, the better. But that doesnt necessarily mean you have to eat bland yogurt there are some yogurt brands that make sugar-free varieties that are tasty, made with sugar alternatives such as Stevia.
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For The Lactose Intolerant
Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk and milk products. A common problem in adulthood, its more prevalent in certain ethnic and racial groups, such as African Americans, Asians and Hispanics. To avoid discomfort, people with lactose intolerance may limit or eliminate dairy products from the diet, which may impact their calcium and vitamin D intake. Yogurt in general contains less lactose than milk, and people tend to tolerate it better. Additionally, the friendly bacteria in yogurts like Yoplait also seem to help improve symptoms, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. If youre wary of eating even a small amount of lactose, Yoplait also offers a lactose-free yogurt rich in calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
Prevents Yeast And Vaginal Infections:
There is no doubt, yogurt is a safe and reliable food for vaginal yeast infection.And there is nothing to harm to the human body. Even it works very well because it contains Lactobacillus bacteria, this bacteria is very effected remedy for yeast infection. This helpful bacteria can help to kill the yeast cells. A study of 2012 says that yogurt is the best herbal remedy for yeast and vaginal infection.
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What Does Probiotic Yogurt Mean
Probiotics are living microorganisms that beneficially influence the human bodys health when ingested in sufficient amounts. Probiotics may positively affect several health conditions, including lactose intolerance, cancer, allergies, and hepatic disease.
One of the products those microorganisms, good bacteria, are ingested is yogurt. Two of the most common bacterias found in yogurt are Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Is Activia Better Than Regular Yogurt
Of course, Dannon says yes. Their Activia yogurt includes Bifidus regularis, a probiotic strain that Dannon has patented and is not found in other yogurts. They claim that this strain accelerates waste through the digestive system and enhances intestinal immunity more efficiently than other strains.
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What Are The Benefits Of Yoplait Yogurt
With 11 different types and more than 85 flavors, Yoplait no doubt has a yogurt to fit your taste buds and dietary needs. Like all yogurt, Yoplaits products are rich in nutrients that do your body good. Knowing the health benefits can help you set aside any guilt you might feel the next time you add Boston Creme Pie or Red Velvet Cake Yoplait yogurt to your grocery cart.
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More Potent Probiotic Foods
Kefir, another fermented milk product, has many important nutrients and far more probiotic cultures compared to yogurt to help aid and balance your gut bacteria. Kefir has 30 types of probiotic yeasts and beneficial bacteriathat’s approximately three times the number of probiotic cultures compared to yogurt! It also a great source of protein, calcium, and potassium and is effective in reducing a whole host of digestive issues, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and even seen to be helpful in treating UTIs and vaginal infections.
Another probiotic food you may want to give a try is buttermilk. Aside from being a great source of probiotics, buttermilk also has essential nutrients such as vitamins, enzymes, carbohydrates, and proteins. Because it is so high in water content, it also helps keep you stay hydrated and improve digestion. Check out our post, What Do Probiotics and Water Have in Common, if you are interested in more about that.
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Why Yogurt May Not Be Enough
Yogurt is a great health food with plenty of nutritional benefits, including calcium and protein. Its even more famous for being a probiotic food and yes, it does indeed contain probiotic bacteria as a result of the fermentation process.
However, while yogurt can provide health benefits to some degree, it simply cant be relied upon as an effective source of probiotics.
There are several factors that can cause yogurt to fall short of delivering the quality of probiotics that would actually benefit your gut.
Can You Have Too Much Probiotics
It is possible to consume too much probiotics, although this is unlikely to cause damage. Bloating, gas, and nausea are common adverse effects of taking too much probiotics. Before taking probiotics, those with a weaker immune system should visit a doctor. For additional information, go to Insiders Health Reference library.
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Chobani Greek Yogurt Less Sugar Low
Chobanis Greek yogurt boasts a low-sugar, low-fat recipe enriched with wild blueberries. It is gluten-free, kosher-certified, and ideal for vegetarian diets. Apart from the popular blueberry version, it is also available in numerous exotic flavors, such as finolimon which has a sharp and sweet flavor, and alphonso mango with a tropical profile. Chobani Monterey strawberry is a favorite classic, while blueberry with brown sugar oatmeal makes for a complete, filling, and nutritious breakfast.
The consistency is thick and creamy, similar to other Greek yogurt alternatives, but it contains considerably less sugar and fat. The bright flavor has a subtle sweetness. This yogurt is made from cultured low-fat milk, blueberry puree, cane sugar, and natural flavors.
The 6 probiotic strains: S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei, and L. Rhamnosus.
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Greek Yogurts Live Cultures
According to the National Yogurt Associations official website, AboutYogurt.com, the Food and Drug Administration requires that all yogurt products be made with active cultures. However, even when yogurts are labeled with the term live cultures, this doesnt necessarily mean that they have enough live cultures to benefit your health.
Many commercial yogurts are heat-treated. This removes their beneficial bacterial cultures, or reduces their amounts. Frozen yogurts may or may not have probiotics it depends on whether theyve been made with heat-treated yogurt.
If the Greek yogurt youve selected has the Live and Active Cultures seal from the National Yogurt Association, the yogurt youre purchasing should still contain enough probiotics to benefit your health. You can also purchase any type of yogurt and add probiotics if youre in doubt or make your own yogurt at home.
Greek yogurt can improve the health of your gastrointestinal microbiome regardless of whether its a standard cultured yogurt or a probiotic yogurt. However, youll probably reap the most health benefits from Greek yogurt with probiotics.
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An Uncertain Collection Of Strains
Every yogurt containsLactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, but the other strains in your yogurt are not standardized in the same way that probiotic supplements are. They may or may not include various forms of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, or even yeast.
Every species and strain of probiotic bacteria has its own unique role to perform in your body. You may be missing out on some of the most beneficial strains if you stick to yogurt.
Culturelle Probiotic Vs Yogurt: What Else Is In Yogurt
Have you checked the sugar count of your yogurt lately? Its fairly common to see a yogurt with 20 grams of sugar per serving, or more. In addition to high sugar content, yogurt contains calories and fat. Clearly, yogurt may not be the best, especially since you would need to eat several containers to get a beneficial amount.
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Kevita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks
KeVita blends their proprietary probiotic culture blend with flavor enhancers like fruit extracts and coconut water to create their flavorful and refreshing beverages. Chugging an entire bottle will cost you anywhere from 10 to 90 calories and 1 to 5 grams of sugar. Yeah, its better than something like a can of soda, but were not sure its worth it unless you genuinely enjoy the taste.
The Bottom Line: If you want to give KeVita a try, it certainly wont hurt you, but it may not really help to improve your intestinal flora, either. Unlike other foods and drinks that contain both probiotics and prebiotics , theres no way to tell how much of the bacteria will still be viable by the time it makes it to your kitchen and into your tummy.
How To Make Yogurt
Homemade yogurt sounds like one of those things that would be super complicated to make, but turns out making yogurt at home is incredibly easyespecially if you use your Instant Potand you can save tons of cash and make even healthier yogurt than what you get in the store!
Well show you how to make yogurt at home in your Instant Pot or on your stovetop . It takes just two ingredients and about 10 minutes of active time. You can do this!
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Choosing Grass Fed Milk
The healthier your milk, the better your yogurt will be. Since I dont have access to raw milk, I use organic, non-homogenized whole milk from grass-fed cows.
Using this milk is an excellent way to increase the nutrient content of your yogurt. Grass-fed yogurt is richer in omega-3 fats and the beneficial fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid .
CLA has been linked to the following health benefits: superior heart health, the suppression of tumors, reduced body fat, and greater fat loss in the obese and overweight. Milk from pastured cows may contain up to 5 times the amount of CLA found in the milk of grain-fed cows.
The #1 Best Yogurt For A Healthy Gut Say Dietitians
When considering gut health, probiotics should be a top priority in your diet. These healthy bacteria help to maintain equilibrium and regularity in your digestive tract, and may even play important roles in your immune system and fighting inflammation in your body. While there are many different ways to consume probiotics, yogurt is one of the most convenient and tasty ways to get a daily dose of these gut-friendly microorganisms.
We’ll take a look at the different yogurts you can buy to determine which best for a healthy gut.
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Fast Facts About Yogurt
There are many types of yogurt that provide varying levels of nutritional benefit.
When is yogurt good for you?
Whether yogurt is a healthful choice depends on the person consuming it and the type of yogurt.
Yogurts can be high in protein, calcium, vitamins, and live culture, or probiotics, which can enhance the gut microbiota.
These can offer protection for bones and teeth and help prevent digestive problems.
Low-fat yogurt can be a useful source of protein on a weight-loss diet.
Probiotics may boost the immune system.
Some argue that they could also impact brain functioning, too, although more research is necessary to confirm some of these claims.
In 2014, researchers found that consuming yogurt may help protect against type 2 diabetes. Other types of dairy product did not appear to impact the likelihood of developing the condition.
Other scientists have suggested that yogurt containing probiotic bacteria successfully protects children and pregnant women against the effects of heavy metal exposure.
It is also a nutritious option when people find it difficult to chew their food.
Non-dairy yogurts offer an alternative for people who do not consume dairy or animal products or have allergies or intolerances.
Yogurt contains less lactose than milk because the lactose is used up in the fermentation process.
When is yogurt bad for you?
Natural yogurt can be a low-calorie, high-nutrient food packed with protein.