How To Differentiate Healthy And Unhealthy Yogurts ?

 Being a yogurt fanatic myself, I am always concerned about choosing the best kind of yogurt that is beneficial. It is always confusing to choose a single phenomenal preference in front of different options. Does this happen to you frequently? Well, let's clear out this confusion, and allow me to bring forward the answers to the question raised in my last blog. 

From a classic yogurt to drinkable yogurt and even spiced yogurt, there are so many different types of yogurts available in grocery stores nowadays.

The range of what is available in the yogurt category has expanded immensely. On the one end of the dairy case, you can find gut-health enhancing yogurts full of extra bacterial culture and Greek-style yogurts, typically high in quality protein. On the other end, there are yogurts that are more like dessert, and often served as a sweet tube or sugary drink.
-  As a basic starting point, look for a product that is named yogurt. Seems straightforward enough, but be clear of yogurt terms like YotoGo, Yocrunch or others that may indicate the product contains more add-ins than actual yogurt.
- Check the ingredients list and the expiry date. Healthy yogurts will have milk or a milk alternative like soy as the main ingredient along with healthy bacterial cultures and perhaps fruit, if it is flavoured.
-  There should be some milk fat in the product (% mf). Although it seems like 0% mf yogurt is ideal, the vast majority of those ‘no’ or ‘ultra-low fat’ yogurts have very high carbohydrate and sugar counts and a far less creamy texture. Generally, choose a yogurt in the range of 1.5-5% mf. If yogurt is what you opt for instead of a rich dessert, or if it’s for kids or anyone who needs to keep weight on or gain weight, a 9% or higher mf, as is typically found in Mediterranean-style yogurt, is a great way to go.
-  To reduce sugar intake, if you like flavoured yogurt, select a quality plain yogurt to which you add your own nuts, seeds, toasted oats, berries, or pureed real fruit instead of the jam-like substance the flavoured ones often come with.
- If choosing a fruit-flavoured yogurt, compare brands and choose the one with the lowest grams of sugar (10.8g) that are still in that 1.5-5% mf range. 

Test samples of different Greek yogurt brands.

When choosing yogurt, consider it to primarily be a source of protein, calcium, and nourishing calories. It is not typically a source of vitamin D. Greek yogurt, thicker for having some whey strained out, is significantly higher in protein than non-Greek style yogurt. Some yogurts contain gelatin to make it thicker. Eating or avoiding that is a matter of personal preference.
Greek yogurt usually has more protein than traditional yogurts and store-bought Greek options are less likely to include high-fructose corn syrup than other brands. When shopping you should choose a yogurt promoting the fact it contains beneficial probiotics like lactobacillus.

Why isn't it healthy?

Additional ingredients in yogurt might also contain unhealthy features. Dye Diet, a consumer watch group, warned against yogurts that advertised “no sugar added” or “fat free.” Many of these products use artificial sweeteners and other foreign additives to improve their flavor.

The Albany, New York, Times Union newspaper interviewed Dr. Joseph Colella, an internationally recognized surgeon, who advised against eating too much yogurt. Dr. Colella suggested there are better sources of protein and calcium. He believed probiotics could possibly be beneficial but are not necessary for proper digestion.

Dr. Colella brought up how yogurt has the same disadvantages as many other dairy products. Humans are the only animals, besides cats Dr. Colella says, that continue consuming dairy after our infant stages so many adult digestive tracts have a problem with dairy products. Dairy is especially troublesome when the milk comes from cows that have been fed antibiotics. Residue from the drugs cows eat can make their way into dairy products. 

 This doesn't mean you have to stop eating yogurt. You can rather substitute it with vegan options, which is also considered as healthy for the healthier individuals. We will be discussing about it and the different types in my next blog! I hope this information will help you choose the right kind of yogurt. Till that time, Scoop up the coolness, and savor the goodness!