Greek Yogurt and Why You Need it In Your Diet

Greek yogurt is a dairy based food that is high in protein and has been shown to have many nutritional benefits. Greek yogurt tends to be thicker than other types of yogurt because of the way it is strained out and is an excellent source of probiotics, potassium, protein, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12. Also, Greek yogurt can be a vital part of a diet structured around weight loss because when eaten in moderation, Greek yogurt is very low in calories compared to many other food options. When compared to other yogurt choices, Greek yogurt is also high in calcium, which helps keep your bones strong and healthy.

Because Greek yogurt is a high-protein choice, it is considered effective as part of a high-protein, high-fat and low calorie diet. Diets that are particularly high in protein can help you feel fuller longer after you stop eating, which may help to reduce the total amount of calories that you eat during a typical day. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends that healthy women trying to lose weight should consume between 1,000 and 1,200 calories per day. For healthy men attempting weight loss, they should consume between 1,200 and 1,600 calories per day. Given that many Greek yogurt options contain between 120 and 160 calories per serving, it is easy to see why this nutritional choice could help assist your weight loss goals without robbing you of the vital nutrients and vitamins that you need each day.

One thing to make sure that you do when shopping for Greek yogurt is to always read the nutritional label. Not all yogurts are created equally. In fact, some brands of Greek Yogurt may be so high in sugar and calories that it is almost more of a dessert than a nutritional meal choice. You also want to check to make sure that your Greek yogurt is high in protein in order to get all of the nutritional benefits of consuming Greek yogurt. In addition, the brand that you choose should also be as low in fat as possible, which could help contribute to further weight loss.

Another important consideration about Greek yogurt is that if you are trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight, stay away from add-ons to Greek yogurt. For example, Greek yogurt options that contain fruits and other syrups are likely higher in sugars and calories than other types of Greek yogurt. If you can handle eating just plain, vanilla Greek yogurt, you can likely save yourself a few calories and avoid adding unnecessary sugars to your diet.