Don't worry, you're not alone if you have ever wondered, "What's the difference
between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt?" Greek yogurt's popularity has
been skyrocketing for the last couple of years, and you may be wondering what all the fuss is about.
Is Greek yogurt more nutritious than regular yogurt? With nearly 28% of North
Americans now eating yogurt on a daily basis, it's a question worth
investigating.
Yogurt comes from milk that has had healthy
bacteria added, causing it to ferment. During this process, yogurt
thickens and takes on a slightly tangy taste. Yogurt is then strained
through a cheesecloth, which allows the liquid whey part of milk to
drain off. Regular yogurt is strained twice, while Greek yogurt is
strained three times to remove more whey (leaving a thicker
consistency).
While all yogurt provides numerous health
benefits (including probiotics), the nutritional stats for Greek yogurt
and regular yogurt do differ. Here's how the two stack up:
Protein
- Greek yogurt has almost double the protein of regular yogurt. Eight
ounces of Greek yogurt has about 20 grams of protein, whereas regular
yogurt provides around 11-13 grams. Greek yogurt's high protein content
makes it a favorite among people trying to manage their weight as it
helps ward off hunger.
Carbohydrates - Greek yogurt has fewer
carbohydrates than regular yogurt. This could be beneficial to
diabetics, who have to watch their carbohydrate intake.
Calcium
- Regular yogurt has about three times the calcium of Greek yogurt.
Both are still considered good sources of calcium, but women who don't
get enough calcium from other foods may want to stick to regular yogurt
for its bone-building benefits.
Sodium - Greek yogurt has half the sodium of regular yogurt.
Calories
- Plain, nonfat versions of Greek and regular yogurt have a similar
calorie count per serving, but added sugars can significantly increase
the calories of either variety.
Texture - Greek yogurt is much
thicker and creamier than regular yogurt because it's strained more.
Greek yogurt can also be used in cooking as it does not curdle when
heated like regular yogurt.
Cost - Unfortunately, you'll likely
spend twice the money on Greek yogurt. This is largely due to escalating
customer demand, as Greek yogurt's taste, texture, and great
nutritional profile keep consumers coming back in droves. Greek yogurt
also costs more because the extra straining requires much more milk, so
it's a more concentrated source of protein.
Although most
people snack on yogurt, don't underestimate its versatility. Both types
of yogurt can be used as lower-calorie substitutes for fatty
ingredients. Swap out eggs and oil in baked goods for Greek yogurt, or
use either yogurt type in place of full-fat sour cream, heavy cream,
mayonnaise, or cream cheese in recipes. Both types can also be used in
place of other high-calorie ingredients in dips, sauces, salad
dressings, smoothies, and desserts.
Yogurt is often touted
as an ideal health food, and it can be if you choose the right kind. As
with both Greek and regular yogurts, be sure to choose low-fat or nonfat
varieties, and opt for those with little to no added sugar, as this ups
the calorie count.
Boom! So there you have it. There is no real clear winner, so the choice to which you pick is yours, as both are good for you. In case you were curious, I'm on Team Greek lol.
